By Charles Lefebvre

Cannabis to be prohibited on Medicine Hat College campus following legalization

Sep 21, 2018 | 3:12 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Post-secondary institutions across Alberta are updating their policies to reflect the legalization of cannabis for recreational use on October 17th.

Some, such as the University of Lethbridge and the University of Alberta, will allow restricted use of the drug in designated areas on their campuses.

However, that won’t be the case at Medicine Hat College, as the college has decided that use of the drug will be prohibited on campus once it becomes legal.

“What we’ve done at Medicine Hat College is not created a standalone, individual policy around cannabis. What we’ve done is extended our substance use policy,” said Irlanda Price, associate vice-president of student development at Medicine Hat College. “So what we’re going to be doing is treating the recreational use of marijuana or cannabis as we have alcohol, where we expect our employees and our student to be prepared to come to work, to be fit to learn and to be fit to work.”

HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

Summer pool hours extended and discounts applied as Big Marble Go Centre upgrades start

Apr 18, 2024

Medicine Hat company drawing in clients with witty signage

Apr 16, 2024

Medicine Hat College holding event for missing and murdered Indigenous women awareness day

Apr 16, 2024

Price says discussions involved faculty, employees and students, and worked with local governments, provincial governments, bylaw officers and other post-secondary institutions to develop the policy.

The policy would make an outside area of the Medicine Hat College student residence the only place cannabis can be used.

“We will be marking outside or outdoor spaces where students are able to smoke, and we’ll have outdoor receptacles as well, so students discard of things appropriately,” Price said.

“We will not be allowing absolutely any growing of marijuana plants in residence.”

The only accommodation for cannabis use on campus would be for medicinal purposes, which would require proper documentation.

Price says there will be training opportunities for staff, students and faculty to understand the new policy over the next few weeks, which will outline roles and responsibilities of staff members if they suspect someone is under the influence of cannabis.

Price says the upcoming year will be a learning experience for all campuses in the province.

“I think we’re very similar to the rest of Canada where we’re not sure where this is going to go, how it’s going to impact us, what the level of impact might be,” she said. “This next year will be a real learning opportunity for us, and then we’ll be able to assess what our policy is, or what we need, or maybe there’s going to be some changes that come into effect. This year is going to be a learning year for us.”