If the Conservatives win the election, Leader Andrew Scheer said the party won害羞草研究所檛 touch the marijuana legislation, rather it will further support the industry害羞草研究所檚 growth through ongoing medical research.

害羞草研究所淚 made the statement some months ago that a Conservative government would not change the legal nature of cannabis,害羞草研究所� Scheer said during his visit to Kelowna on Canada Day.

The Liberal government害羞草研究所檚 legalization of recreational cannabis was originally slotted for Canada Day in 2018, however, it wasn害羞草研究所檛 passed until October 17, 2018.

READ MORE: Okanagan害羞草研究所檚 first legal cannabis store opens

Now, a year after the fact, the Okanagan welcomed its first cannabis store on Canada Day: SpiritLeaf.

害羞草研究所淚t is legal now and there are many people who work in various industries related to that, so we are going to maintain the legal status of cannabis,害羞草研究所� he said.

Thousands of jobs have been created in the new sector countrywide, Starbuds director of marketing Dan Winer said during the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce害羞草研究所檚 Business of Cannabis 2.0 luncheon on June 25.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檝e created so many jobs,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淣ot only in the Okanagan but across the country. And now, these Okanagan companies are going international.害羞草研究所�

Lake Country is home to a number of cannabis manufacturers and extractors including Starbuds Cannabis, Indigenous Bloom Kelowna and Valens GroWorks Corporation and soon, once licenced by the provincial government, more than 15 cannabis retail outlets may open in Kelowna.

READ MORE: Kelowna council ready to consider pot shop rezonings

READ MORE: Two Kelowna sites rezoned for pot shops

But, like many others, Scheer said more work is to be done to ensure the booming new industry succeeds.

害羞草研究所淲e do think there is a lot of work required in terms of research and understanding the health dynamics of it,害羞草研究所� he said.

害羞草研究所淲e want to make sure the federal government is not just a partner but is leading the way on that as we learn what the ramifications of what legalization will mean for our society going into the future,害羞草研究所� Scheer said.

READ MORE: Pot legalization has been successful, but could be better: industry leaders

Caitlin.clow@kelownacapnews.com
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