PENHOLD – In preparation for the legalization of cannabis later this year, the town will incorporate regulations around cannabis use into its Land Use Bylaw.
“We won’t have a dedicated cannabis policy but we will have it put into our Land Use Bylaw (LUB) under a dedicated section,” said Mike Yargeau, Penhold mayor.
The LUB is currently being reviewed and revamped because of the recent annexation from Red Deer County, noted Rick Binnendyk, the town's chief administrative officer. The cannabis section will be a small part of it.
“The Land Use Bylaw is under complete review, not just that one area. It’s under review by the Municipal Planning Commission right now,” said Binnendyk. “We have a pretty extensive review that has to be done.”
He noted the rigid provincial regulations around cannabis usage and enforcement that municipalities must follow.
“It would be a combination of (cigarette smoking and liquor regulations),” he said. “Those regulations are coming down from the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission and as we get information from Alberta gaming, (that) is the information we’re basically going to be incorporating into our Land Use Bylaw,” explained Binnendyk.
“Whatever they tell us what we have to do is what we’ll end up doing.”
Although legalization of cannabis is a federal decision, provinces and municipalities do have areas of responsibility. Jurisdictional responsibilities for municipalities include education, taxation, retail location and rules, public consumption and land use/zoning.
Yargeau said they will enforce rules around retail shops and locations where cannabis can be used, including distances from schools, playgrounds, hospitals, parks and daycare operations.
“As I understand it, it’ll be much like alcohol,” said Yargeau. “You can go to the store and buy it but you cannot walk down the street and drink it.
“We want to be responsible and make sure we set guidelines, especially as retail shops open up and where those places can go,” he added.
Both Binnendyk and Yargeau said there has been little discussion in town on the issue, either for or against the pending legalization of cannabis.
“As far as any real opposition or any real support for that matter, I haven’t really heard much (from the people of Penhold),” said Yargeau.
