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OTTAWA — Police are warning it could be “impossible” for law enforcement to get trained up in time for legal marijuana in July 2018.

Testifying at a House of Commons health committee Tuesday, police leaders expressed concerns about the Liberal government’s impending deadline to create a legal weed market. Organizations will need to know the new laws and regulations backwards and forwards before they can prepare their officers for duty, they said.

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Mike Serr, deputy chief constable and chair of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police drug advisory committee, said the government should consider extending its deadline. “We ask that established legislative framework be put in place prior to legalization that will provide law enforcement with clear direction and assistance regarding funding and training,” he said.

Photo by Dave Thomas/Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network

The deputy commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police for investigation and organized crime, Rick Barnum, explained at least six or seven months of lead time would be necessary to ensure police forces are adequately prepared. For example, if a legal framework isn’t in place until July of next year, “it’s impossible” for officers to be ready by August, Barnum said.