www.nsgeu.ca [email protected] September 27, 2017 Honourable Karen Casey Nova Scotia Minister of Finance PO Box 187, 1723 Hollis St., Halifax NS B3J 2N3 [email protected] Dear Minister Casey: Re: Marijuana Legalization Following your meeting last June with Canada’s other Ministers of Finance where the issue of marijuana legalization was discussed you stated, "That is really the priority for the three ministers right now — to look at how we do that consultation, when we do it and what questions we ask, what information we want to hear from the public." In preparation for this consultation, the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union has commissioned a report, A Public Health Approach to Cannabis Legalization, to critically assess the public health literature pertaining to cannabis distribution and retail from a public health perspective. I am pleased to share that report with you. To protect public health in Nova Scotia as cannabis legalization moves forward, it’s important to design a strong distribution and retail format guided by the best available public health evidence. With primary distribution options ranging from privatized to a publicly owned system, the decision regarding how to distribute cannabis should involve weighing public health protection motivations versus promoting private commercial interests. As you will see, researchers and public health professionals are clear: implementing a publicly owned system for cannabis distribution and retail is the best way to protect public health, whereas a privatized system may put public health at risk. In short, if Nova Scotia owns it, Nova Scotia controls it. You can choose to prioritize public health or commercial interests. Nova Scotians care about the wellbeing of their neighbours, kids, communities and our province. I would ask you to 255 John Savage Avenue, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada B3B 0J3 T: 902.424.4063 Toll-Free: 1.877.556.7438 F: 902.484-6333 Component of the National Union of Public and General Employees affiliated to the C.L.C. Minister Casey Page 2 September 27, 2017 choose a publicly owned system for cannabis distribution and retail – we urge you to choose community health over private profit. Sincerely, Jason MacLean President c. Premier Stephen McNeil Jamie Baillie Leader of the Official Opposition and PC Caucus Gary Burrill, Leader of the Nova Scotia NDP Caucus Randy Delorey, Minister of Health & Wellness Mark Furey, Minister of Justice Dr. Strang, Chief Medical Officer of Nova Scotia Dr. Manoj Vohra, President, Doctors NS .