Despite the end of prohibition on recreational cannabis as the legalized framework officially rolled out across the country last week, local consumers will not find much reason to celebrate.
At least not in town.
In fact, anyone caught lighting up essentially anywhere outdoors within the town’s limits, including Snake Hill or the Red Deer River trails, could potentially be fined $250 for a first offence. A second offence increases the fine to $500 while third and subsequent infractions jump to $1,000.
Last week, Sundre’s council unanimously agreed to exercise the municipality’s right to make consumption of cannabis as restrictive as possible within the federal and provincial legal frameworks.
It would take up too much space for this column to detail the definition of public spaces where consumption of cannabis in any form remains prohibited as outlined in the municipality’s new bylaw.
So instead, suffice to say that anyone who smokes, vapes or ingests edible cannabis products are required to do so strictly from the privacy of their own residence.
Additionally, renters should also bear in mind that landlords can — as with cigarettes or pets — not allow tenants to smoke, vape or grow cannabis in the residence.
Restrictions for public places such as medical facilities and schools are obviously sensible and understandable — as are, for that matter, considerations for landlords who might not be interested in a new pungent aroma permeating their property.
But making consumption essentially illegal anywhere but in the basement under the blankets with the lights turned off seems a bit heavy handed.
Anyone who frequents the local natural trails has undoubtedly noticed discarded cigarette butts along the way, yet there is no call to prohibit people who are going for a walk from lighting up a smoke.
I’m no fan of cigarettes, but certainly would never argue that someone should not be allowed to indulge in a setting so far removed from public facilities such as schools or hospitals. My only grievance stems from smokers who seem perfectly comfortable with littering and by extension potentially even running the risk of sparking a fire.
So while I agree with the majority of the restrictions imposed by the municipality’s cannabis consumption bylaw, I would also argue there is room for an exception or two.
However, as Mayor Terry Leslie — who was in favour of the new bylaw — pointed out, the end of prohibition represents uncharted territory for every municipality throughout the country.
As understanding grows, attitudes might well continue to evolve — as they tend to do — and nothing is stopping council from eventually revisiting and potentially amending Sundre’s cannabis consumption bylaw.
