Calgary teenagers might one day be able to buy marijuana, legally

A task force appointed by the federal government to study marijuana legalization has come back with some recommendations, including that18 be the legal age for use.

"I see high kids all the time, but I never see drunk kids, because you can't get booze. You don't get booze illegally imported, and you can't get it without that 18 or older," said grade 11 student Alexander Ross, standing near Queen Elizabeth High School in northwest Calgary.

• Highlights from the federal marijuana task force report

The task force did recommend that provinces and territories should be allowed to set their own age restrictions.

Cutting crime

Ross said it wouldn't make any sense to have the drinking age at 18 and the marijuana age at 21, arguing that would contribute to a black market servicing the age gap.

Jeff Mooij, the founder of the 420 Clinic in Inglewood which advises medical marijuana patients, is celebrating the release of the recommendations.

• Pot task force recommends legal cannabis sales be limited to users 18 and over

He said if the goal is to cut out crime, there's no pointwaiting until someone is in their 20s before they're allowed to buy pot.

"I think the recommended age of 18 is good. I think it'll be determined by the province, and how we distribute alcohol will be very similar to the legal age for marijuana," he said.

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi doesn't agree with Mooij and Ross, saying he would prefer to see the age set at 21. That said, he's pleased to see some guidelines.

Small amounts to grow

One suggestion Nenshi is happy with is the possibility for individuals to grow up to four plants at home.

"Which was kind of the thing the city was looking for, to have small-scale growth in homes, but now we have to work on a lot of issues around zoning, building code, fire code, health code, for people who want to be doing that," he said.

• Alberta justice minister wants more consultation on where to allow sales of marijuana

"We also have a framework that we'll be working with the province on on where you can sell the stuff, whether you need to separate alcohol and marijuana, which I think is a good thing."

Mooijis likely eager to hear the results of those discussions. He saidhis goal is to open 16 dispensaries in southern Alberta when marijuana is legalized.

The federal government has pledged to table legalization legislation by spring 2017, but it could take much longer for the bill to become law.

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