INNISFAIL - There has been no significant criminal or bylaw-related incidents for local Mounties and community peace officers to pursue since last month's historic legalization of cannabis.
However, local RCMP are encountering new issues that will require further review.
Innisfail RCMP Staff Sgt. Chris Matechuk said his detachment has not seen any "significant" changes since legalization day on Oct. 17, but emphasized detachment members are "transitioning" with a "big learning curve" on how best to meet enforcement challenges under Canada's new Cannabis Act.
While simple possession and recreational use of cannabis is now legal in the country, there has already been one case Innisfail RCMP have encountered that is presenting a challenge.
"On conditional releases to not possess any illegal drugs. With marijuana now not an illegal drug we have to do some research. We have to look at that," said Matechuk of one case his members are looking into.
"A lot of times one of the conditions on release is not to possess illegal drugs or consume alcohol. Now that marijuana is not an illegal drug it doesn't apply," he added. "We have come across cases like that but nothing significant yet, but we are just two weeks into it. Other than it's a big learning curve for us and our officers are undergoing training, we have more training coming on how to enforce the new legislation."
As for any cannabis impairments on the roads and highways, Matechuk said his detachment has not yet made any arrests since legalization day on Oct. 17.
"Prior to October 17 we had arrested and charged people for a combination of both (cannabis and alcohol) but since then I am not aware of any yet," said Matechuk, adding there has been a case of charging one citizen for being in possession of cannabis and having easy access while operating a motor vehicle. "The regulation is similar to alcohol in that being able to have easy access to alcohol while driving, so we have come across that."
As for the community, police and local peace officers have not encountered any cannabis bylaw infractions in town, notably any cases of public consumption of marijuana, which is prohibited in the Town of Innisfail.
"We probably haven't seen any significant changes since October 17," said Matechuk. "It's business as usual. We are expecting stuff to come up as time passes but we are two weeks in and nothing significant to report anyway."
Gary Leith, the town's manager of fire and protective services, said Innisfail's community peace officers have not issued any tickets for infractions under the community's new cannabis regulations.
