Protecting the health and safety of Northerners, while complying with any national cannabis laws and requirements set by the federal government, is a priority for the GNWT. In keeping with that priority, the following principles guide our work.

• restrict youth access to cannabis, and protect young people from promotion or enticements to use cannabis

• allow adults to possess and access regulated, quality controlled legal cannabis

• discourage drug-impaired driving

• protect workers and the public from drug-impairment in the workplace

• protect public health by controlling the public smoking of cannabis

• enhance public awareness of the health risks associated with cannabis

• provide a safe and secure retail regime for the adult purchase of cannabis

• provide for local options to establish cannabis distribution and consumption restrictions and prohibitions.