Inuvik's community engagement session on the legalization of cannabis brought together nearly 20 residents with a range of opinions on Sept. 11 at the Mackenzie Hotel.
GNWT officials asked the group questions around everything from possession and age restrictions to retail sales of the substance. The event lasted more than two hours, with some people heavily in favour of legalization and others expressing strong concern about public health, safety and education.
Despite the lengthy conversation on cannabis, which will be legalized in July 2018, few people who attended the meeting were willing to share their names and thoughts with the Inuvik Drum.
One resident who did speak to the Drum disagreed with the federal government's direction on cannabis altogether.
“I think it should be decriminalized rather than legalized,” said John Kirkpatrick. “When the government is in control, it doesn't make it any better, because laws will always be … tested.”
Whether they'll be tested or not, the GNWT is rolling full steam ahead with plans to have legislation in place by the time next summer rolls around.
“Given the timelines for cannabis legalization, the GNWT does not have a lot of time to make decisions on how cannabis will be regulated here,” said Mark Aitken, assistant deputy minister and attorney general with the Department of Justice.
Among the most debated topics were how the legalization of cannabis will affect the workplace and how law enforcement will deal with impaired driving.
While one woman felt there is no room for marijuana in the workplace and that it becomes a problem when other employees are affected, another person questioned how far in advance people should be able to use the substance before attending their job.
When it came to impaired driving, people disagreed on how much cannabis impairs a driver's judgment.
Some compared it to the effects of alcohol, while others said cannabis affects everyone differently.
However, most of the room agreed public safety on the road is of the utmost importance.
With the legalization of marijuana just around the corner, the federal government is proposing legislation to toughen drug-impaired driving penalties.
Police would also have the ability to conduct oral fluid samples at the roadside to test for impaired driving, according to the federal government.
Aitken was accompanied at the meeting by Dr. Andre Corriveau, the NWT's chief public health officer, and Kelly Bluck, director of fiscal policy at the Department of Finance.
“We will have to work very quickly to be ready by July 2018,” Aitken said. “Despite that challenge, the GNWT is committed to having effective measures in place.”
Residents' views will significantly impact how the GNWT proceeds with legislation, he said.
The last community meeting on the legalization of cannabis is scheduled to take place in Behchoko on Sept. 20. The public engagement period, which also allows residents to participate in an online survey, closes Sept. 22. After that point, the GNWT will prepare a report on the feedback gathered from the communities.