Manitoba Lifts Homegrown Cannabis Ban, Joining Rest of Canada
The Manitoba government has announced its intention to end its ban on homegrown recreational cannabis, a move that would leave Quebec as the only province with such a restriction. The decision aligns Manitoba with the federal limit of four homegrown plants per household, set after the legalization of recreational cannabis in 2018.
The former Progressive Conservative government in Manitoba had imposed an outright ban alongside Quebec, citing concerns about cannabis falling into the hands of children or entering the black market. However, these concerns did not materialize when medical marijuana was legalized earlier.
The New Democrats, led by Premier Wab Kinew, promised during last year’s provincial election to lift the ban, a commitment welcomed by activist Jesse Lavoie.
“I’m very proud to see that (Kinew) and his government have kept their word,” Lavoie said.
A bill to enact the change is expected to be introduced in the legislature soon, although its passage into law remains uncertain. The NDP government faces time constraints due to the upcoming summer break and the end of session, where unpassed bills are automatically killed.
The Tories, now in Opposition, have indicated potential delays, while Kinew expressed confidence in the NDP’s ability to pass the bill through legislative steps.
“I’m very confident that our house leader and the rest of the team are going to be able to stickhandle the bills through this legislative session,” Kinew said.
The move to lift the ban has been met with mixed reactions. Some have welcomed the decision, arguing that it aligns Manitoba with the rest of Canada and allows individuals the freedom to grow their own cannabis for personal use. Others have expressed concerns about the potential for increased cannabis use and the availability of cannabis to minors.
The Manitoba government has stated that it will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments to its policies as needed to ensure public safety and responsible cannabis use.
