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La Ronge RCMP ready as cannabis becomes legal across Canada

Oct 17, 2018 | 12:00 PM

After nearly a century of prohibition, the sale, consumption and possession of marijuana was legalized at midnight, making Canada the second nation in the world to do so.

While the change will usher in new business opportunities, as well as different challenges acoss the country, La Ronge RCMP Staff Sgt. Kyle Watson said residents shouldn’t expect to see many differences in the way officers do their work. He believes when Aura Cannabis opens a dispensary in town, it will cutback on the number of incidents of people selling marijuana out of their homes.

“Will it change our operation? I don’t think so,” Watson said. “The only thing that may change is the way it’s enforced and where our focus is. I don’t think we’ll see an increase in call volume. I don’t believe our policing strategy is going to change all that much either.”

Canadians are now allowed to possess and carry up to 30 grams of cannabis, be permitted to grow up to four plants, as well as purchase it from privatized storefronts and online. In Saskatchewan, 19 is the minimum age of consumption and marijuana can only be used in private residences and camping sites. Those under the influence of cannabis can also be charged with impaired driving, which Watson noted officers at the detachment are trained in roadside testing.

“If someone is expected to be impaired or under the influence of drugs, we will be calling out those members if they are on shift to administer the specialized tests for that,” he said.  

Meanwhile, Aura Cannabis Executive Vice-President Andrew Gordon said residents need to mindful of the regulations, rules and framework in place to deal with legalization. He also noted he’s proud and confident in the model the federal and provincial governments have adopted, adding it will erode the unregulated and illicit market, as well as keep it out of the hands of children.

Gordon doesn’t expect to have his store open in La Ronge until sometime in the first quarter of 2019. He hopes to open another location in Saskatoon by mid-December and he said he doesn’t believe a cannabis shortage might push those opening dates back even further.

“This is an unprecedented time in our country’s history,” Gordon said. “We all have to work together to make this a positive push forward for Canada.”

 

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno