Legalization of Cannabis – Bill C-45 effective October 17, 2018
DRYDEN – LEGAL – Police Services across Canada are preparing for October 17 when Canada’s Cannabis Act comes into effect. The Dryden Police have issued the following statement on the preparations they are making:
On October 17, 2018, the Federal Cannabis Act will come into effect. The Dryden Police Service would like to provide information to the public prior to this Act being rolled out.
Our key messaging is simple:
1. Federal Legislation: The federally mandated public possession limit of 30 grams of dried cannabis has been maintained across the country, with most jurisdictions opting to keep their legal marijuana-smoking ages in line with those for drinking alcohol.
– Bill C-45 allows individuals to grow up to four marijuana plants per residence.
2. Keeping Cannabis out of the hands of our youth: The minimum age to use, purchase, and possess recreational cannabis in Ontario is 19 years of age. The use of recreational cannabis will be prohibited in public places and workplaces. The province’s approach to protecting youth will focus on prevention, diversion, and harm reduction without unnecessarily bringing them into contact with the justice system.
3. Drug-impaired driving is, and will remain, a criminal offence: Like with alcohol and other substances, impairment can last, unknowingly, for prolonged periods of time. Ontario has aligned a zero tolerance policy for young, novice and commercial drivers, as detectable by a federally approved or oral fluid screening device.
Cannabis use reduces overall driving performance with negative impacts on reaction time, motor coordination, divided attention, short-term memory, decision-making, and perception
Law Enforcement Officers will be trained to detect drug-impaired driving. You could face consequences including fines, criminal charges or even jail time if you drive impaired by cannabis or other drugs.
4. Provincial Offences
New regulations will mimic the Liquor License Act and the Smoke-Free Ontario Act. Therefore, police officers will be able to charge purchasers, sellers, and landlords under the new provincial offences.
Dryden Police Service, collaboratively working with our community partners in providing a safe and healthy community.
