Justice officials has pledged to crack down on the spike in Liquormart thefts the province has seen over the last several months, said the province’s Justice Minister.

“In my perspective as Minister of Justice, we’re going to continue to work with Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries as we go forward,” said Cliff Cullen. “We in Justice want to make sure we are working with police as well in terms of apprehension of these individuals and getting those people off the street. We’re working closely with Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries as well in terms of processes to get these individuals apprehended.”

Speaking at an event Tuesday to unveil a public education campaign when new cannabis products including food and beverages become available next month, Cullen added that officials are pouring over surveillance footage from Liquormarts to identify repeat offenders and bring them to justice.

“We’re going to be going back using those surveillance tapes and we’ll be able to determine which individuals are repeat offenders and from there our Crown prosecutors can build a case to bring it to court and hopefully we’ll get a positive outcome to ensure these individuals are dealt with through the courts,” said Cullen.

Kristianne Dechant, the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA) Executive Director and CEO (left) and Manitoba Justice Minister Cliff Cullen address the media at a press conference on Tuesday in Winnipeg to announce the launch of the Know My Cannabis Limits public education campaign to get adult Manitobans thinking abut limit-setting strategies when new cannabis products, including food and beverages, become available for purchase in December 2019. GLEN DAWKINS/Winnipeg Sun/Postmedia Network GLEN DAWKINS/Winnipeg Sun/Postmedia Network

On Tuesday, the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba launched the Know My Cannabis Limits public education campaign which focuses on potential health and safety risks to the user and people around them, the risks associated with intoxication, the delayed onset of effects from edible cannabis products, and the unfamiliarity with new cannabis classes and the levels of THC. It also strives to ensure cannabis consumption is not normalized among young adults or other individuals who are considering using cannabis.

“What we’re taking here is a proactive approach to try to avoid exactly that situation (where other jurisdictions have seen spikes in people visiting health facilities due to cannabis intoxication) and that proactive approach is something that Manitobans have been asking us for as these products come to market,” said Kristianne Dechant, the LGCA’s Executive Director and CEO.

The LGCA launched its phase 1 campaign about cannabis use in early September 2018 and its phase 2 campaign about setting limits last October to coincide with the legalization of dried cannabis products. Similar to the first two phases, Know My Limits will run in English and French across the province via a media mix of digital and social media, as well as billboards, transit poster ads and point of sale materials at licensed cannabis stores.

“This campaign obviously one of the key points in my mind is to making sure the public understands that they have a responsibility to keep these products away from children and youth,” said Cullen. “That will be part of the education program.”

The provincial government will be bringing forward legislation later this year to govern the public consumption of cannabis edibles, Cullen said.