NUNAVUT – Minister of Finance David Akeeagok released the results of the Government of Nunavut (GN) online cannabis survey on December 15.
“Our newly elected government must make important policy decisions in the next few months, before the Government of Canada legalizes the recreational use of cannabis in July 2018,” said Minister Akeeagok. “The survey responses helped us understand what Nunavummiut think about the issue, and will guide us in our work to regulate cannabis in Nunavut.”
Between August 22 and September 22, 2017, more than 1,400 Nunavummiut responded to the 26-question survey. The survey’s key findings show that respondents:
– mostly favor legalizing cannabis
– have different views on how smoked and non-smoked cannabis products should be used in public
– have different views on who should distribute and sell cannabis
– think the GN should set the legal age at 19
– want the GN to focus most on fighting the illegal market and researching the impacts of cannabis use
– want to be more informed about the impacts of cannabis use
The GN will continue seeking input from Nunavummiut on cannabis legalization in early 2018 through public consultations in all three regions.
