Cannabis consumption has been legalized and it is a federal decision. However, setting rules associated with cannabis consumption is the responsibility of municipalities and provinces.
In this article, we’ll be looking at the rules set forth by the Edmonton City Council and the Province of Alberta. These rules concern vaping and cannabis smoking in the City of Edmonton.
Vaping and Cannabis Smoking Rules in Edmonton
The defining factor that regulates where smoking is permitted in public places and where it is not is the City of Edmonton’s Public Places Bylaw. Cannabis, vaping, and tobacco are covered under these laws.
Irrespective of whether you smoke cannabis for medical or recreational purposes; all users have to adhere to the same laws concerning where they can smoke and where they can’t. Similarly, private property owners enjoy the liberty to establish additional restrictions for smoking on their properties.
Let us take a closer look at which properties in Edmonton are smoking, vaping, and cannabis consumption permitted:
- Your Home
You are permitted to smoke in your home and yard. It becomes important to note that rental companies, condo boards, landlords, and property owners can restrict the growth of cannabis on their properties and smoking in common areas.
- Commercial buildings, parklands, and public spaces
Smoking is permitted in some trails and parks in Edmonton, except when the park contains a playground, a sports field, a bicycle park, an outdoor theatre, etc. Smoking is similarly not permitted in hospital and school properties, childcare facilities, bus terminals, etc.
One cannot smoke in some areas such as Sir Winston Churchill Square. Then, when an area has been designated as a no-smoking area for cannabis, one cannot smoke there.
- Sidewalks
Smoking is permitted on some sidewalks in Edmonton, but not within 10 meters of a doorway, window, or bus stop. Smoking on a patio is also not permitted.
- Vehicle
Just like you can’t consume alcohol in a vehicle, smoking in a vehicle is also not permitted. All public transport is covered in the purview. You can transport cannabis in a vehicle, but the packaging needs to be closed such that it stays out of passengers’ reach and out of reach of the driver.
- Events and festivals
Smoking during events and festivals is permissible, but only in designated areas. Signages will be displayed, indicative of these areas’ location. When anyone seeks to know more about these designated areas for smoking, it is recommended to visit the event’s website.
Cannabis users should keep some points in mind to ensure their safety and the safety of others:
- Respect everyone who shares your air
Secondhand smoke associated with cannabis makes a few people uncomfortable. It is ethical to keep a decent distance from your neighbors’ open windows when you smoke. It is right to establish etiquette that works for everyone. Consumption through a vaporizer is one of the ways to reduce odors.
- Driving penalties and laws
It is illegal to drive when high and it could lead to impaired driving penalties. That’s primarily because when one uses cannabis or any cannabis products, judgment, coordination, and concentration are impaired.
So, when one drives a vehicle, one should not have more than the legal limit of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the system.
When you transport cannabis, do so in secured packaging. If the cops pull you over and find cannabis in unsecured packaging in your vehicle, you could face a fine.
- Fire prevention and safety
Oil extraction from cannabis is illegal and a violation of section 12 of the Cannabis Act. The procedure requires the use of solvents that are highly explosive materials such as butane.
In case you need to use cannabis oil, it is available for purchase from licensed retailers.
Storing cannabis right is also important. It should not be kept in the open. Instead, it has to be stored out of sight and out of reach.
Another matter to be kept in mind associated with the use of cannabis is that it is not to be littered, keeping the safety of your children and pets in mind.
The right place to source cannabis products from:
It is not recommended to attempt to create cannabis byproducts at home because the extraction of oils from cannabis is illegal. When one intends to use any cannabis products for health or recreation-related purposes, the right place to source them from is a cannabis dispensary in Edmonton Alberta.
Similarly, when one intends to operate cannabis stores Edmonton, one has to know about approved locations for cannabis retail. Branding of the store in formats such as the color of the storefront also has to be accordingly defined.