Mountain View County council has given first reading to amendments to the Parks Bylaw regarding cannabis use and possession.
The move came by way of motion at the recent regularly scheduled council meeting.
The policies and priorities committee had directed administration to draft amendments to the bylaw to include cannabis provisions that parallel existing liquor regulations for Mountain View County parks, day use areas, campgrounds and reserves.
In September administration presented draft changes to the bylaw to the governance review committee, which has recommended changes for council consideration. The proposed changes include the following:
- Formalizing the prohibition on hunting and the use of cannabis in day use areas and municipal/environmental reserves.
- Inclusion of regulations to restrict individuals from altering municipal or environmental reserves.
- Formalizing firework prohibitions.
- Updated fines and penalties.
The proposed amendments include a provision that “no person may use cannabis, other than at their campsite in the event that their campsite is within five metres of a playground, a sports or playing field or in any area or place restricted by the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act.”
During discussion of the proposed amendments, Coun. Peggy Johnson questioned whether five metres is an adequate limiting distance. She suggested 30 metres would be better.
Council deferred second reading of the proposed amendments pending a report from administration on the limiting distances set by other municipalities regarding cannabis use.
Under the amended bylaw, persons found in violation of the use of cannabis in a prohibited area provision could face a fine of $250.
The bylaw also includes the following item under the Penalties section: “If a motor vehicle, off highway vehicle, aircraft, boat or trailer or camping accommodation unit is involved in a contravention of this Bylaw, the owner of that motor vehicle, off highway vehicle, aircraft, boat or trailer or camping accommodation unit is guilty of an offence unless he proves to the satisfaction of the court that at the time of the offence the motor vehicle, off highway vehicle, aircraft, boat or trailer or camping accommodation unit was not being operated or used by him.”
Councillors defeated a motion put forward by Coun. Johnson that a public hearing be held regarding the proposed amendments.
Coun. Duncan Milne did not attend the recent council meeting.
Recreational cannabis use is set to become legal on Oct. 17.
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