UPFRONT | Roundup NEWS Take 5 Manitoba to survey residents about marijuana use in light of legalization WINNIPEG – The Manitoba govern-ment plans to poll residents about their marijuana consumption and what kind of rules they would like to see when recreational pot is legalized next year. The provincial liquor and gam-ing authority is looking for a com-pany to do 15-minute surveys of at least 1,200 Manitobans in the coming months as it prepares for the new law. “We don’t have a great under-standing about cannabis as a substance and how people use it,” said Kristianne Dechant, the au-thority’s communications and research manager. “And this is really unlike with liquor and gambling – which are two products that we currently regulate – where we have a great understanding about the gaps in people’s knowledge.” Dechant said the aim is to de-velop ways to advise people about safe levels of consumption – whether the cannabis be eaten, smoked or otherwise ingested. “I think Manitobans are really looking to the province to define what responsible use could look like and to provide information about how, if they choose to use it, they could minimize the harm.” Survey results will help shape a “regulatory framework for canna-bis that meets public expectations for safety and con-sumer protection,” says the au-thority’s request for proposals issued Tuesday. The sample must include a reasonable representation across the province, including people between 18 and 24, “as this de-mographic is notoriously hard to reach, yet of particular interest with respect to cannabis knowl-edge and choices.” The federal government is set-ting a minimum age of 18 for pot use, but many of the details are being left to the provinces, includ-ing how and where cannabis will be sold when the law takes effect next July. Manitoba has yet to determine where pot will be available at the retail level and whether the liquor and gaming authority, or some other agency, will regulate it. Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative government asked Ottawa last December to delay its plan for legalization. Premier Brian Pallister said there were many details still to be worked out, including who would pay for increased police resourc-es. He also said a big awareness campaign was needed to convince people of the dangers of driving while using cannabis. – Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press WHAT’S ONLINE Canadianchiropractor.ca Canadian Chiropractor offers a lot more content on its website. Check out some of these pages the next time you go online. Reporting on the latest developments in health care as well as trends in practice News Video Job board Looking to hire or want to make a career change? Check out the online job board for the latest opportunities or post your job for free. Watch short features, practice advice and event highlights from the video archive 6 Canadian Chiropractor September 2017 www.canadianchiropractor.ca Illustration: Brian Fray
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