Manitoba's Health Minister released more details Tuesday on what the cannabis legislation in this province could look like.

Kelvin Goertzen says they already announced that the age in which cannabis can legally be consumed in Manitoba will be 19. On Tuesday, his government brought forward legislation which identifies where it can be consumed.

Changes to The Non-Smokers Health Protection and Vapour Products Act are consistent with the approach taken to alcohol consumption under The Liquor and Gaming Control Act. Once proclaimed, the bill would prohibit smoking and vaping cannabis in outdoor public places once recreational use of the drug is legalized. This includes streets and sidewalks, parks, beaches, school grounds, playgrounds, restaurant patios and decks and the grounds of health-care facilities. These restrictions would also apply to federal jurisdiction which would include federal airports, military bases and reserves.

"I know that there will be some who will say this is too restrictive," says Goertzen. "We believe that with something that is so new, so unique, something so untested, that it is far better to be on the side of safety and caution and to ensure that we're not normalizing this behaviour."

He adds there are governments, including our provincial government that have spent a lot of money trying to convince young people not to start smoking and these restrictions send a clear message of the dangers.

Goertzen says this will be primarily enforced by law enforcement, though public health inspectors will also be involved. The penalty for the first offence could be between $100 and $500, for the second offence between $200 and $750 and for the third offence between $300 and $1,000.

According to Goertzen, the legislation is more restrictive than what is currently in place for alcohol in this province. For example, you can get a license for alcohol to hold a beer garden, though the same won't be the case for cannabis. Goertzen says Manitoba is the only province in Canada with a higher age requirement for cannabis than alcohol. He adds his government wants to take the safest approach because these are uncharted waters in Canada.

Justice Minister Heather Stefanson says The Impaired Driving Offences Act would establish tough provincial sanctions meant to ensure no one gets behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming cannabis. The proposed amendments to The Drivers and Vehicles Act and the Highway Traffic Act would include new administrative driver's license suspensions for impaired driving. Novice drivers would also be prohibited from driving if they fail a roadside drug screening test.

The sale of cannabis will be done through private retail stores in Manitoba with each municipality determining whether or not they want it sold within their borders.