When is enough not enough?

In Quinte West, apparently, roughly two years just isn’t long enough. The city, like every other municipality across Canada, has had ample time to prepare itself for the legalization of marijuana which is set to take place this summer. Anyone who hasn’t lived under a rock for the past two or three years knows what’s taking place and the fact Canadians will be able to toke up legally, within certain laws, of course.

Yet, earlier this week, the whiz kids of Quinte West council unanimously supported a motion by Coun. Sally Freeman to ask for another six months to clear up any misunderstandings or uncertainties about the law changes. Freeman noted the municipality needs time to make necessary changes.

“There’s a million things,” Freeman said during Tuesday’s council meeting. “There’s so many rules and regulations and bylaws that we have to have a look at.

“So we’re asking for six months in order to get the officers trained, our bylaw officers (trained), our bylaws written.

“There’s a great deal of work to do before it becomes legal.”

She’s right. The law change does mean a lot of work ... work which the city likely should have started with about a year ago. Training of police officers has been a complaint for municipalities across the province and country, but Quinte West is no different. That training and preparedness should have already begun, especially when one considers Quinte West is an OPP jurisdiction.

Regardless of someone’s personal view on the legalization of marijuana, the fact is it’s not news anymore. Everyone knows it’s been coming and municipalities have had ample time to get their proverbial ducks in a row and begin training and preparing for when the laws change. A grace period will only add to any confusion.

Like any law change there will, absolutely, be a period of learning and adjusting. That’s not a big deal and should be anticipated, but asking for the federal government to give you another six months is like asking the teacher for an extension on a project you were assigned weeks ago, it’s irresponsible and feels like an admission of laziness.