MPP Vanthof supports selling pot online as long as there are checks and balances

Timskaming-Cochrane MPP John Vanthof has no problems with the Tories selling pot online.

However one of his hopes is the government has checks and balances in place so the sellers of marijuana can educate the buyers about the possible dangers of the drug.

Vanthof adds he’ll be watching how the Tories control age limits and how much pot people can buy online.

“It’s going to have to be a very robust system to stop that from happening,” said the New Democrat.

“But ordering online through the government is certainly better than buying the drug in a back alley.”

Vanthof admits he’s a little worried about how much time the Tories are giving themselves to implement the online legislation.

With the House now adjourned until September 24^th and pot becoming legal roughly a month later, Vanthof wonders if the legislation, once it’s tabled, will address concerns politicians, municipalities and interest groups may have.

“The timeline will be tight,” he said.

The government plans to roll out online sales of pot this fall followed by the sale of marijuana in public retail outlets next April.