As of October 17 cannabis is legal Canada. Each province and territory has the ability to set its own rules for cannabis, including the legal minimum age to buy, use, possess and grow cannabis.
“Our Service is as ready as we can be. We acknowledge there will be a learning period regarding the new legislation for police and citizens alike. We want to be fair with citizens and will use our discretion for a period of time,” says Peterborough Police Deputy Chief Tim Farquharson.
“But we emphasize there will be zero tolerance for impaired driving by drug or alcohol and zero tolerance for the illicit sale of cannabis, whether through a dispensary or other means, to our youth. These will be the priorities for our Service.”
In Ontario the rules include the following:
- Minimum age of 19 years or older to buy, use, possess and grow recreational cannabis. This is the same as the minimum age for the sale of tobacco and alcohol in Ontario.
- People 19 and over canpurchase cannabis online through the Ontario Cannabis Store.
- The Ontario Cannabis Store website will be the only legal option for purchasing recreational cannabis.It will follow strict rules set by the federal government.
- You can purchase up to 30 grams (about one ounce) of dried recreational cannabisat one time for personal use.
- You can have a maximum of 30 grams (about one ounce)of dried cannabis in public at any time.
- You can grow four plants per residence (not per person)
- The Ontario government has proposed rules on where you can and cannot smoke and vape cannabis, both recreational and medical. For a detailed list please visit the Ontario government’s website http://www.ontario.ca/page/cannabis-legalization#section-2
- Drug-impaired driving has been illegal in Canada since 1925. Police are trained to detect if a person is driving under the influence of a drug and enforce drug-impaired driving laws using Standard Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).
- Following a legal roadside stop, police can demand an oral fluid sample and/or conduct an SFST if they suspect you are driving under the influence of a drug.
- You cannot consume cannabis (smoking, vaping, eating) in a vehicle or boat that is being driven or is at risk of being put into motion.
- There is zero tolerance for young, novice or commercial drivers.
- Medical cannabis is subject to different rules than recreational cannabis. The production and sale of medical cannabis is regulated exclusively by the federal government.
For more information please visit:
Government of Ontario:
http://www.ontario.ca/page/cannabis-legalization#section-2
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
