Article content continued

And could pardons for those convicted of minor drug charges be far behind?

Sources say no idea is being dismissed. Officials understand this is an out-of-the-box situation that has been thrust on the provinces.

“The charges are federal,” said an Ontario government insider. “But there will be conversations (with Ottawa counterparts).”

There are a lot of balls in the air as Canada waits for legal marijuana in October. No one is quite sure where they will land.

Pot activist Jodie Emery — who, with her husband Marc, has been arrested, jailed and had their product and cash seized — said that while she is optimistic, she will believe it when she sees it.

“I’m trying to be hopeful, but I have been betrayed and attacked by governments at every level it seems,” the so-called Princess of Pot said Tuesday.

“They don’t want to reward us or let us enjoy the fruits of our labour — those fruits go to the former cops and politicians and big business guys hijacking the cannabis culture and industry.”

This was true. But Ford’s announcement this week does open a window for this to go in a different direction.

“We have to get this right and we will not be rushed,” Finance Minister Vic Fedeli has said. “We will use this time to consult with businesses, consumer groups, public health organizations, municipalities, law enforcement and Indigenous communities.”

The biggest loser in pot not being sold in government-style stores should be the drug dealers. It should be easier not be out priced by black market operators when the government is spared having to pay marijuana sales people $27-an-hour and offer indexed pensions. All marijuana sales will have to be from product that is high quality and government approved.