CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – As P.E.I. moves closer to marijuana legalization, the government is looking for someone to prepare an education campaign about the risks involved with cannabis use.
Finance Minister Heath MacDonald said the government has to be prepared for legalization and wants to have the education component ready.
“We want to get this done relatively quickly and have the materials because it does take a little while,” he said.
The Liberal government has been taking steps this spring to prepare for the impending legalization of marijuana.
That includes legislation to create a Cannabis Management Corporation, which will oversee the sale of marijuana online and through four retail stores.
Several government departments are involved in the necessary legislation, including the health, justice and transportation departments.
Along with selling marijuana, the government is planning an education campaign about cannabis and the impact of its use.
A request for proposals issued Tuesday is looking for a company to develop the public education component that will go along with legalization in P.E.I.
MacDonald said the request for proposals doesn’t involve marketing the sale of cannabis.
“When the retail outlets get to a certain point maybe, but I think this one is certainly for health education awareness.”
Co-operation between departments has worked in other jurisdictions and the government wants to ensure the message stays consistent, MacDonald said.
“We want one message being sent out.”
MacDonald said he expects to see the education campaign start to roll out around the end of June.
