BURNABY, B.C. — The unions representing British Columbia liquor retail workers want legalized marijuana to be sold in their stores.
The B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union and the B.C. Private Liquor Store Association announced a partnership to advocate for the sale of recreational pot through the province's existing alcohol retail system.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised that his government will legalize and regulate marijuana, and BCGEU president Stephanie Smith says when that happens it should be sold in the most socially responsible way possible.
She says there are legitimate concerns about marijuana being sold to youth and B.C. liquor stores are age-controlled and have a strong track record for checking identification.
Damian Kettlewell of the private liquor association says the unions only want to sell recreational pot, not medical marijuana, so he doesn't expect their proposal to impact existing medical dispensaries.
He says the federal government should follow in the footsteps of American states that have allowed residents to grow small amounts of marijuana at home for personal use.
