FREDERICTON (GNB) – The legislature’s select committee on cannabis, which is comprised of government members and opposition members, has scheduled public consultations on the legalization of recreational cannabis.

The Report of the New Brunswick Working Group on the Legalization of Cannabis has been presented to help the committee inform New Brunswickers about the challenges and opportunities of legalizing recreational cannabis and to propose a model for a legal cannabis industry. The working group’s report is available online. Anyone with ideas or concerns, including the medical community, law enforcement, social advocates, business leaders, First Nations, municipalities, youth and seniors, is encouraged to provide input.

"The committee has received the working group’s report and appreciates the work they have done and the recommendations they have made,” said committee chair and Kent South MLA Benoît Bourque. “The next step is to take this report to New Brunswickers to hear their thoughts and opinions on how we move forward. I encourage anyone interested to either express their views at one of the public hearings or submit their comments in writing to the committee.”

Public hearings are scheduled as follows:

Grand Falls: Wednesday, July 12, 9 a.m. – E&P Sénéchal Centre, 60 Ouellette St.

Atholville: Thursday, July 13, 9 a.m. – Alma Hall, 256 Notre-Dame St.

St. Stephen: Monday, July 24, 9 a.m. – Garcelon Civic Centre, 22 Budd Ave.

Saint John: Tuesday, July 25, 9 a.m. – Port Saint John, 111 Water St.

Moncton: Wednesday, July 26, 9 a.m. – Delta Beauséjour, 750 Main St.

Miramichi: Thursday, July 27, 9 a.m. – Rodd Miramichi River Hotel, 1809 Water St.

Fredericton: Friday, July 28, 9 a.m. – legislative assembly, 706 Queen St.

Anyone wishing to make a presentation on the issues discussed in the report should advise the Office of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly by July 10.

The committee is also accepting written briefs, which should be submitted to the Office of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly by July 31. Written briefs may be submitted by email at leg-consultations@gnb.ca, online, and by mail: Office of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, P.O. Box 6000, Fredericton, N.B., E3B 5H1.