B.C. eagerly anticipating federal pot law; NDP, Greens prepare policy
VICTORIA — After decades as a marijuana renegade, British Columbia is eagerly anticipating the federal government’s bill legalizing marijuana.
Growing marijuana has become a backyard tradition in B.C. and the number of medical marijuana dispensaries in Vancouver and Victoria rival Tim Horton’s outlets. Politicians, entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens are convinced marijuana offers unprecedented economic, social and health opportunities as Ottawa gets ready to introduce its legislation.
Vancouver-based Tantalus Labs, which grows medical marijuana in greenhouses, released a report this month that said the industry could create 15,000 jobs in B.C.
It said B.C.’s illegal marijuana market provides 40 per cent of Canada’s black market and is worth $2.7 billion, with 85 per cent of that going to organized crime.