The City of Moncton is grappling with the impact of recreational marijuana legalization.
Deputy Mayor Charles Leger says everytime something is legalized, there are unforeseen expenses and costs that need to be addressed.
“[In] our estimation, zoning, permits, regulations, all of those things could generate some revenue on one hand, but also would add expenses to the city,” says Leger.
He uses the example of permits relating to growing marijuana in your own home.
“We know, for example, from some of the grow ops which have happened that were much larger, there are implications from mold, high humidity levels, and damage to homes and so on,” states Leger.
He says law enforcement is also another prickly issue to resolve.
“Certainly there are a lot of challenges related to impaired driving, what does that mean, what’s the right THC level?” says Leger. “So it’s going to be an evolution, much like I think the evolution with alcohol and driving.”
Leger says municipalities with a higher concentration of sales of cannabis should get some funding to help offset inevitable costs.
