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Public cannabis consumption could be prohibited in North Battleford

Apr 18, 2018 | 5:00 PM

As official legalization of cannabis in Canada draws closer, North Battleford is deciding where exactly the substance can be consumed and according to the city manager, the rules will likely mirror alcohol consumption.

The purchase of cannabis and growing of up to four plants will be legalized by the federal government this summer. Meanwhile the task of how to govern marijuana has been left in the hands of the provinces and municipalities.

Calgary recently announced the prohibition of all cannabis consumption in public areas and according to North Battleford city manager, Jim Puffalt, the city is leaning in the same direction.

“We are looking at the same regulations as liquor, so you wouldn’t be able to walk up and down the street smoking a marijuana cigarette,” Puffalt said. “No one would be allowed to smoke in parks either or that type of thing. Just because it is legal, doesn’t mean it can be used everywhere.”

Puffalt said the city is still waiting on what the province decides as it can impact the bylaws for the city. Ontario has completely banned public consumption of marijuana. If Saskatchewan takes the same route then North Battleford won’t have a choice.

When it comes to enforcement of the bylaws, Puffalt expects the police to treat it just like they would liquor.

“I think police forces are going to have to have that discussion. [Our] full expectation is that if you see people drinking in public that you do something about it and if you see someone smoking marijuana that you do something about it.

Puffalt also said the city’s cigarette bylaw is outdated and needs to be addressed, he wouldn’t consider banning cigarette smoking in public because it isn’t considered a narcotic.

If bylaws are created in North Battleford to ban smoking in public places, it will make it difficult for those who rent to consume marijuana. Many rental companies, like Macro Properties, have already forced tenants to sign a contract stating they won’t smoke marijuana on the property. This could also mean renters won’t be able to go out onto public property to smoke either, which isn’t the municipality’s problem, according to Puffalt.

According to the Municipal Guide for Cannabis Legalization issued by SUMA, SARM and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, North Battleford can decided how to regulate how many, where and if residents can grow plants. Puffalt said administration hasn’t discussed personal plant growth regulation yet.

 

greg.higgins@jpbg.ca

On Twitter @realgreghiggins