OTTAWA—Canada’s cities are pressing Ottawa for a share of the revenues from cannabis taxes, saying next year’s move to legalize recreational marijuana will cost them as much as $335 million in policing and administration. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities wrote to federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau Thursday, warning that local taxpayers could be left on the hook unless Ottawa and the provinces agree to share the tax proceeds. And while Ottawa has already proposed splitting pot taxes 50-50 with the provinces, the municipalities are trying to elbow in on that deal with their own appeal for a one-third share. “This revenue stream can and should address legalization-related costs borne by all orders of government,” Gerbasi said in the submission. On the policing front, municipalities will face additional costs to train officers to recognize motorists impaired by cannabis, new roadside screening equipment and ongoing enforcement of the illegal production and sale of pot.

Source: thestar December 08, 2017 02:03 UTC