From regulation to potential health effects, the Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MP says the process seems rushed.
“I think it’s very unfortunate that [the Federal government] are setting the date first, then working towards it, rather than putting all the protection elements in place”, Shipley says.
Shipley says he’s unsure how the drug will be monitored and regulated, and that he would have liked to see it decriminalized first.
He also says a lot of the regulatory responsibility will fall on other levels of government.
“[The Federal government] is going to dump all the responsibilities down mainly to the province and the municipalities. For example, in Chatham-Kent, the police services will have to take on that responsibility”, Shipley explains.
Marijuana is set to be legalized in Canada next July.