One would be pressed to detect any solid reasoning behind the Liberal government’s allowing smoking of marijuana on golf courses, while banning it from all other outdoor venues and activities. Yet that is one of the puzzling pieces to come out of the regulations they’ve assembled to accompany the legalization of recreational pot use later this year.
The McNeil government has become notorious for enacting decisions void of explanation, so perhaps this is just one more for the collection.
But Pictou West MLA Karla MacFarlane is right to point out the inconsistency in the Cannabis Control Act and express concern about this and other points of the legislation. MacFarlane, interim leader for the Progressive Conservatives, also has persisted with her party’s feeling that the legal age of 19 is too low – as the medical profession maintains because the brains of younger people are at a critical stage of development. The opposition party has also been attempting to hammer home other points regarding safety on this issue.
The exemption for golf courses, however, stands out as an oddity. Narrowing it down as to where in outdoor areas people will be able to light up amounts to a pick and choose exercise. Why specifically golf? Other sports venues ban smoking of any kind, tobacco included. Cigarette smoking is banned in any area where the public gathers, but in the case of sports facilities – indoors or outdoors – the rule would be in keeping with the wholesome atmosphere and image of places of sporting activity.
Inconsistent regulations aside, the debate on this point does raise the dilemma of how enforceable such restrictions are – and whether a heavy-handed approach is advisable.
Keep stoned people from driving, certainly, and do what’s needed to keep these substances away from children and youth. It’s not rocket science to underline the essential points. Then follow that up with strategies and the resources for enforcement.
But one can imagine that on the wide-open range of a golf course (it’s hard to sneak up on anybody) there might already be some like-minded players who enjoy a clandestine toke, the same way they might tote a beer or two along tucked in their bag. It would very much depend on the individual golfer as to whether smoking dope is a performance enhancer. And plainly any such partaking is not going to involve competitors who will have to pee in a cup after sinking the 18th.
And how did the province ever come up with the proposition that cannabis is OK at Canada Day events? What about when we celebrate a queen who’s been dead for more than a century? Now there’s an occasion that could use a bit of levity.
This new world of legal cannabis will likely include a bit of the wild west in the beginning. It’ll be an effort to establish priorities on controls.
A mulligan for the golf courses is funny, but if golfers want, they’ll do it anyway. Just don’t leave any roaches on the greens.
