DIDSBURY – With legislation to legalize cannabis expected to come down the pipe this summer, provinces are gearing up for many changes.
The federal legislation would allow adults to possess up to 30 grams of legally-produced cannabis and grow up to four cannabis plants per household. The new regulations also set the minimum age for purchase and use at 18 years old.
The legislation will also enable a regulatory regime for the licensed production of cannabis, which would be regulated by the federal government; distribution and sale of cannabis, which would both be controlled by the provincial government; and establish new provisions to address drug-impaired driving.
Didsbury RCMP Staff Sgt. Chad Fournier said he doesn't expect sweeping changes to the way the police operate when the new laws take effect.
"I believe that the legalization of marijuana, the date has been pushed back," said Fournier. "It's not set in stone for July 1, 2018. There is no date yet but I believe the federal government has pushed it back a little. There will be some changes as far as policing and our focus, but I believe the legalization of marijuana will affect the municipalities more in terms of licensing and storefronts and selling and obtaining."
Fournier said that he has not received any clear direction from his superiors as of yet for changes in procedures.
"That will be coming this spring," he said. "We don't do a lot of cannabis charges at this point. The fines and the core process is relatively low especially for possession under 30 grams. That's not a focus of the Didsbury detachment. Our focus is on the illegal production of marijuana and the high rate of property crime in this area."
Fournier said he doesn't see a strong link specifically between illegal marijuana production and property crime.
"I don't think legalization will change any of that," he said. "I think the property crime is linked to much harder, illegal drugs such as methamphetamine and cocaine."
Fournier said he believes that more people will consume or at least try cannabis if it is legal. He adds that more education on how driving is affected by cannabis consumption is important.
"We are working on processes on detecting people who have been driving while under the influence, which we already do (charge people for driving under the influence)," he said.
"Marijuana is just one substance; even on prescription medication people need to be very careful when operating a motor vehicle. Driving while high is something we have been aware of for a while. It is a charge."
