Today, may be filled with mixed emotions from citizens as it marks the first day that recreational marijuana use is legal across Canada.

Regardless of personal constructs surrounding the topic, it has been said to be a milestone within Canadian law, some referencing the 1923 prohibition in comparison. Canada is one of only two countries who have legalized the recreational use of marijuana and with Uruguay being the other, Canada will by far be the largest.

The topic was a major contributor to Justin Trudeau’s campaign platform in 2012 before becoming Prime Minister in 2015. A full report was conducted shortly there after and was released in December 2016. After the Act was passed in the Senate earlier this year in June, amendments were made and passed and the final date of legalization experienced some juggling as well before today, October 17, 2018, was solidified.

Concerns regarding law enforcement surrounding the substance has been the topic of many conversations since spring, with federal laws coming down from Ottawa and provinces setting out their own rules and regulations, specifically relating to consumption and possession.

Although it is now legal, the use of marijuana is nothing new and according to Staff Sargent Tania Vaughan with the RCMP-National Communication Services, “Canadian police have been enforcing drug impaired driving laws since they came into existence in the 1920s. As additional tools, training and legislation have strengthened that ability, we will continue to enforce impaired driving laws on Canadian roads.”

However, with the legalization it is likely, and predicted, that consumption and possession will increase among those who already use marijuana and those who will try it for various reasons now that it is legal. For these reasons, it has become important for officers to be trained in different aspects of marijuana use so that they are able to respect the legality of the substance, while simultaneously enforce the laws set out by the federal and provincial governments.

The legal amount that someone can carry is 30 grams of dried cannabis, when asked how officers would determine the amount of marijuana is carrying, St. Sgt. Vaughan stated that, “the training available to Canadian police will be able to identify cannabis in its various forms and relate it to legal quantities.”

She continued by outlining the training that has been available to officers through various methods, including 21 Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) certification events this fiscal year, Canada-wide, with 25 more to come in the coming fiscal year. Currently there are 74 DRE’s province-wide, 36 officers within the RCMP and 36 within municipal police and according to the federal government’s website, there are 113 RCMP detachments and seven municipal police stations.

Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) training will implemented to officers as another method for determining a persons level of impairment. Many officers already are trained with this method and St. Sgt. Vaughan stated that “The RCMP recognizes the need to increase the amount of SFST and DRE trained officers, both to increase capacity, but to also offset the natural attrition that occurs through transfers and retirements. The RCMP is working towards training enough RCMP officers in SFST and DRE to ensure that in the communities the RCMP serves, our members will have access to SFST and/or DRE trained officers 24/7.”

Officers are not the only one faced with a learning curve however, people who will be using cannabis under the new legal parameters will have to ensure they educate themselves on the new legislation to avoid being ticketed.

Within Saskatchewan it is outlined that a person can only legally consume recreational marijuana within their own detached home (condo’s will have their own set of rules), or within your personal tent, trailer or rented campsite at provincial parks. Outside of these areas, including community parks, playgrounds, sidewalks, school, public resorts or amusement and public is a ticketable offence worthy of a $200 fine.

For drivers the fines can more than triple if you are charged under the criminal code as three new charges were added, including:
1. Driving with over two nanograms of THC in your blood
2. Driving with over five nanograms of THC in your blood
3. Combined drug and alcohol impairment
Whereas, one nanogram is the equivalent of one-billionth of a gram, charges may result in a maximum federal fine of $1000.

Negligence is not considered a defence in the eyes of the law and cannabis users should make themselves viably aware of what is, and isn’t, allowed before consuming or being in possession of marijuana.
• Federal Cannabis Regulations
• Saskatchewan Cannabis Regulations and Discussions

There were three vendors that were approved for retail stores within the region including Unity, Rosetown and Outlook, province-wide there are set to be 51 retail stores available for cannabis sales.