INNISFAIL - Pot lovers are ready to legally light up.
Recreational use and possession of cannabis will be legal tomorrow (Oct. 17) in Innisfail and across the country.
Mayor Jim Romane said Innisfail is fully prepared to handle legalized cannabis, and is not expecting any major troublesome issues.
"The way we have dealt with it is that it's no different than alcohol. You can't consume it in public. It can't be flaunted," said Romane. "I am giving the public a benefit of a doubt that it is not going to be that great an obvious situation."
While Innisfailians won't be able to smoke or vape cannabis publicly they should have four municipally approved retail outlets to buy it from. The fourth retail outlet, Alair Homes — agent of Cannabis Cowboys, had its development permit approved by appeal on Oct. 3 by the Subdivision Development Appeal Board and granted a setback variance as it's located within 100 metres of an existing approved outlet.
With these final municipal approvals the four outlets must now wait for the Alberta Gaming & Liquor Commission to approve their retail cannabis store licences, which can only be issued on Oct. 17 or after when the new federal cannabis legislation is officially law.
"It will be interesting to see what happens with this new legislation and new permitting in this new world of Canada," said Todd Becker, the town's chief administrative officer. "Our bylaws are set, so right now we are providing retail opportunities and there is a lot of restrictions for cannabis use right now. We are hoping for status quo, however, it won't be status quo. Part of that is how the community is going to respond to legalized marijuana."
As for being vigilant about the new federal law and local bylaw amendments for cannabis possession and use, Becker said compliance is up to the town's community peace officers and Innisfail RCMP.
"We are going to see how society grabs onto this and we will have to adjust and tweak accordingly as it moves forward," said Becker.
Innisfail RCMP Staff Sgt. Chris Matechuk said his detachment members are ready to enforce any breaches of the new cannabis laws, and those for impairment while driving on local and regional roads.
He said there are two drug recognition experts at the detachment training other members to have the visual ability to screen out cannabis- and alcohol-impaired drivers.
"It will be by way of demand by providing samples that are sent to the lab at a later date," said Matechuk, adding the detachment's goal is to have all detachment members prepared to recognize cannabis-impaired drivers. As for specialized roadside cannabis testing kits, Matechuck said his detachment has not been told when or if they are going to arrive.
In the meantime, Matechuk said Innisfail RCMP have met with town officials to prepare for Oct. 17 and will partner with them to ensure there is compliance with local bylaws, with extra vigilance on road safety.
"Most definitely. We take impairment on the roads seriously. We don't want to see anybody getting hurt on the highways. Hopefully things won't change in that aspect but we are getting as prepared as we can be as the day comes closer," said Matechuk. "It impacts us significantly and there are lots of changes coming. Hopefully we won't see too dramatic changes within the community. We will be working towards mitigating it."
Chinook's Edge School Division is prepared for cannabis legalization day on Oct. 17. See page 25.
