MARIJUANA Legalization raises concerns in schools, condos and hospitals

Local districts will be updating policies around issues like pot and alcohol use

Alberta schools need not fear legalized marijuana — those in charge just need to think of it like booze, says a lawyer helping school boards prepare for the change.

With the federal government expected to legalize marijuana in Canada this summer, Edmonton employment and labour lawyer Colin Fetter said school trustees and district leaders have questions. Will students be able to saunter out of school doors at recess and light up a spliff ? Could their teacher come out and join them for a toke?

“The answer to all those questions is, ‘ What do you do now with alcohol?’” Fetter said. “Is a student — 18 or not — allowed to walk out the back door at recess and crack open a beer? No. Is a teacher al- lowed to bring a mickey of vodka in their suit coat pocket to work? No.”

Provincial legislation passed last fall prevents anyone from smoking or vaping cannabis where smoking is also prohibited, including on school or child care centre property, or near playgrounds, sports fields, skate parks, zoos and other places where children gather.

Youth could face fines for possession of small amounts of marijuana, and could face criminal charges if they have more than five grams.

School boards will have to update some policies and procedures once cannabis becomes legal.

RULE CHANGES COMING

Carole Karbonik, general counsel for Edmonton Catholic Schools, said the district will change its rules effective June 30 to prohibit possession or consumption of marijuana on school property or at district events — for example, a school trip to Amsterdam.

Edmonton Public Schools will update its policy preventing alcohol and tobacco use on school property, as well as expectations of staff and a medication management policy, said Nancy Petersen, managing director of strategic district supports. The changes will come after the district sees the details of new federal legislation and regulations.

Last week, Cerina Lee, a project co-ordinator with Action on Smoking and Health, asked the public school board to impose a complete ban on smoking, vaping, and e-cigarettes on its properties. Petersen said the district will take these alternative ways to consume tobacco into account when administrators revise policies.

What remains unchanged by cannabis legalization are potential medical exemptions for students prescribed the drug.