Who'll sell it, who'll smoke it: Marijuana legalization survey gets lots of feedback

In a year, pot will be legal — and the government of Newfoundland and Labrador is trying to figure out who can smoke it and who can sell it.

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More than 2,000 people participated in the provincial government's EngageNL survey on marijuana legalization regulations.

"We have over 2,260 completed questionnaires" as of Monday morning, said Andrew Parsons, minister of justice and public safety.

"Which is a pretty amazing turnout when you think about it."                 

The survey's two major topics are distribution and age of consumption.

Options for where to sell the drug range from a government crown operation — such as the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation — to corner stores, much the same as beer and cigarettes, while the age of consumption choices span 18 to 25.

The survey is not the only consultation the government is taking under advisement. They have also targeted specific community groups.

"There's going to be a lot of work when it comes to the synthesis of this information. There's going to be a lot to take in, and that will help guide us," Parsons said.

Lacking data

Jeff Piercey's been smoking medical marijuana for about three years. He said pot was the drug that finally tackled his chronic back pain.

Piercey took the survey and said he thinks it lacks data for people to make informed decisions on the issues.

"I think there are too many people that still believe information out of the '70s and Nixon-era politics, and are using that to guide their opinions now," Piercey said.

While marijuana is medicine for Piercey, he fears it will be perceived as a bottle of whisky in a paper bag.

"One of my big fears with legalization is that the medical community will be pushed aside," he said.

"Then I have to worry about if it's sold in liquor stores and thought of as liquor. What does that make me look like when I'm standing on the side of the road doing what some people would now equate to as drinking?"

This is helping me, please help me stop being a criminal to be a human being.- Jeff Piercey

Those perceptions even find their way into some doctors' offices, Piercey said, adding it felt like he visited every doctor in the province before one would write him a prescription.

"I was trialling some very strong narcotics and opioids, and they did not react to my body well," he said.

Piercey tried pot before having a prescription. He took his findings to yet another doctor to get help.

"This is helping me. Please help me stop being a criminal [and just] be a human being," he said.

Trying pot for the first time as an adult was surprising for Piercey. He said there was a lack of educational material available.

Piercey said he hopes the province is prepared to step up to the plate.

"I had to learn all of my tips and tricks from teenagers on YouTube. Every piece of what I would call education — it's all from some 16-year-old with a sideways cap," he said.

"It's amazing that there really is no readily available information for your average adult user."