REGINA – The province of Saskatchewan has decided to examine the impact marijuana has on driver safety because of the Federal Government’s plan to legalize marijuana.
Premier Brad Wall has asked Justice Minister Gordon Wyant, Corrections and Policing minister Christine Tell and SGI Minister Don McMorris to take an in-depth look at the possible hazard of drivers impaired on marijuana.
“The federal government has said marijuana legalization is coming but I don’t think we have clear answers on the potential effects on driver safety and what the plan is to prevent impaired driving due to marijuana use,” Wall said.
“There are still too many accidents and deaths due to drunk drivers and all governments are taking steps to crack down on that. Legalizing marijuana could certainly mean more impaired drivers, which no one wants.”
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The ministers will focus on three main areas while looking at the implications marijuana has on driving – the legal framework, enforcement and public education and prevention.
“I’ve asked the three ministers to work together, with their officials and with key stakeholders to recommend how we can ensure that the federal government’s legalization of marijuana doesn’t lead to more deaths and injuries on Saskatchewan roads,” Wall added.
Recently the Federal Government established a task force to look at the legal and regulatory issues surrounding marijuana legalization and Wall added the recommendations from the three Saskatchewan ministers will be submitted to the Federal task Force.
The Feds intend to release their plans for legalizing marijuana sometime next spring.
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