BILL KAUFMANN U of L to designate areas for smoking, vaping cannabis
Consuming cannabis in designated areas has been given the green light by the University of Lethbridge.
In contrast, post-secondary institutions in Calgary have either yet to roll out their policy, or snuffed out the notion entirely.
After considerable consultation with its members and experts, the U of L will earmark five spots for students to smoke or vape cannabis, areas that should be ready for use in a month when recreational legalization takes effect, said Kathleen Massey, the university’s associate vice-president of students.
“It’s geared to accommodating students living on campus and in a couple of cases they’re near the residences,” said Massey. “Beyond that, it’s quite restrictive.”
University officials will ensure those areas to be equipped with smoking material receptacles are a distance removed from buildings and ventilation intakes, she said.
The move, said Massey, won’t encourage cannabis use but is rather meant to spark a discussion on the consequences of pot use and pursue harm reduction.
“It’s precisely because we’re a post-secondary institution, to educate them about the risks involved in the use of cannabis,” she said.
“We expect people to show up (at class) prepared to learn and not be impaired.”
It’s also a realization that some students already consume cannabis, said Massey, who wouldn’t say
that’s occurring on campus.
That policy could change if the City of Lethbridge takes a hard line stance against public cannabis consumption, as their counterparts in Calgary have, she added.
It’s an approach that won’t extend to the U of L’s Calgary campus, which is embedded in a Bow Valley College campus that’s opted for a total ban on cannabis use.
The University of Calgary is expected to decide on a marijuana consumption policy early next month but in a statement, acknowledged the presence of a licensed alcohol establishment on campus.
“It is compliant with all federal, provincial and municipal laws, and consistent with the university’s approach to managing other legal recreational substances on campus,” it states.
“In addition to ensuring knowledge of the policy, the communication will promote on- and off-campus resources designed to reduce the harm that can be caused by drug and alcohol use.”
SAIT is standing firm on a ban on any cannabis use on campus, said spokesman Chris Gerritsen.
“Our stance falls in line with the provincial government prohibiting
consumption on school property,” he said.
The SAIT campus has “strategically-placed tobacco areas,” a policy that’s found favour with more than half the students, he said.
Mount Royal University has decided to ban all smoking on campus, including marijuana, said Steven Fitterer, vice-president of student affairs and campus life.
“While we continue to explore our options, the city has decided not to permit the smoking of cannabis in public places. Given this, we will abide by the city’s bylaws,” said Fitterer in a statement.
“In this way, we can promote a smoke-free environment; provide education on programs and resources available with a focus on harm reduction.”
The City of Calgary has made attempts to provide exemptions to its public cannabis use ban, particularly to renters or condo owners under building smoking bans.
But those efforts are at a standstill after public opposition forced the city to abandon proposals for four designated use areas within green spaces.