More people are sharing their thoughts on the upcoming legalization of marijuana and the surrounding legislation. it was reported recently that in Saskatchewan, cannabis will be sold through private retailers, and communities and First Nations with population over 2,500 will be eligible for permits to have these retailers. 

"I guess the legalization of marijuana is going forward whether the province or even the city want it to happen," shared MLA for Estevan, Lori Carr. "So it's just something that we have to deal with by building in legislation and get these stores up and running so people have the opportunity to buy the product."

"The City of Estevan will have the opportunity to have two stores. Now of course, the City can use their municipal bylaws and decide to say, no we don't want two stores in Estevan."

She added that there are pros and cons for having these retailers in Estevan. 

"Unfortunately, along with this kind of product, if it's not convenient, they'll just buy it on the black market. And the one good thing about the retail outlets is that we know what is in those products and we know it's safe."

"So I would rather have it convenient for them and be safe as opposed to not convenient and use other methods of getting it. You hear all these stories about something laced with fentanyl and all the stuff that happen with that. I wouldn't want to see that."

"Since it's happening, let's make it safe, let's get the best retailers out there and move forward."

She did mention that it might not be the financial boon that some hope it will be. 

"We're not really sure how much it going to make for the province yet, but I honestly don't think it will be a revenue generator per se, probably for quite some time. Simply because, there will be some social aspects,. there's going to be more policing that going to come with that. There's going to be more cost to the province and the municipalities."

"So in the short-term, no because all the setup costs and the outcomes that come with it. And I guess we'll see down the road if it actually does become a moneymaker for the province."