Drug-impaired driving is far too common: expert
‘One of the more disturbing findings’
Changing societal attitudes toward drug-impaired driving will be a considerable task for Alberta as the province gears up for legalization later this year, Ethan Bayne, executive director strategy and planning for the Alberta Cannabis Secretariat, said on Wednesday.
“The number of people who admit in surveys to having driven under the influence of cannabis is, like I said, disturbingly high,” Bayne said to a hall of about 250 people.
Alberta’s cannabis framework was the topic of questioning during the first session of the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association (ACCPA) Conference on Wednesday morning.
More than 60,000 responses were received through the provincial government’s public consultation on cannabis legislation, Bayne said, with one in five respondents admitting to using cannabis for non-medical purposes in the past year.
“Legalization is not creating the problem of drug-impaired driving. It’s a serious problem today,” Bayne said of the issue.
“It’s certainly one of the more disturbing findings in the research we’ve looked at is that — I would say in terms of societal attitudes and awareness — we’re 30 to 40 years behind where we are today on alcohol-impaired driving.”
The number of people who admit in surveys to having driven under the influence of cannabis is ... disturbingly high.
It will take more than law enforcement tools, Bayne said, and will require community engagement and public education to influence a shift in public attitudes.
Other questions regarding the impact of cannabis legalization on Alberta communities also came up in the session from concerned residents and municipal leaders.
Peace River town councillor Orren Ford raised a question on clarifying the 100-metre setback distances from schools for cannabis use. In the legislation, Bayne said, the government defined schools through the School Act, which could include day homes and home school locations. This would mean these locations fall under the 100-metre ruling.
“That was not our intention,” Bayne said.
“It’s something we want to clarify going forward through a regulatory amendment.”
Bayne noted if municipalities do want to go broader on the setbacks, they will be able to regulate that through their own legislation.
Bayne said the government is working closely with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission which is reviewing more than 400 retail applications for the sale of cannabis.