By CHAT News Today

City still discussing public use of cannabis bylaw

Oct 12, 2018 | 9:00 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The city’s public services committee continues to work on creating a bylaw regarding the public use of cannabis in Medicine Hat.

The committee held a meeting late Tuesday afternoon, where several ideas were discussed.

“I think the most workable solution I’ve heard so far is from Councillor (Phil) Turnbull, in allowing consumption on trails, on the trail system,” said Councillor Kris Samraj, who serves on the committee. “I think, out of all the options, it has the least conflict area where that might be allowed.

“I think the other question that I really want to communicate is people are saying ‘why not just limit it to private property?’ I don’t think that’s a realistic option, because of people that aren’t allowed to smoke in their homes because they’re rental units or they’re living in condos. They wouldn’t have any place to consume a legal product, because they don’t have bars and restaurants like alcohol users.”

Earlier this month, council voted to create a specific set of bylaws relating to the public consumption of cannabis.

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The bylaw will still need to be passed by city council before it becomes law. It will be discussed during Monday’s meeting, though a bylaw will likely not be in place by October 17th.

When cannabis becomes legal, the city will default to the province’s regulations on cannabis use in public, meaning people would not be allowed to smoke or vape cannabis in hospitals, near schools or parks, or in places where tobacco use is already prohibited.