The dos and don’ts of legal weed
No surprise, there are a lot of rules surrounding legal marijuana in Saskatchewan.
Here are some of the dos and don’ts that are highlighted in the provincial government’s Cannabis Framework, announced Wednesday.
DO be 19 years old,
or older, to possess or consume cannabis. The province has set the legal age to match the legal drinking age.
DON’T smoke weed in public
places. Per the wishes of 88 per cent of survey respondents, the rules for smoking cannabis in public spaces will match the rules for smoking cigarettes in public spaces.
DO count down to July
1, 2019, if you’re a non-smoker. On the oneyear anniversary of cannabis legalization, edibles and concentrates will be legalized.
DON’T possess more than 30 grams of cannabis. For a minor (under age 19), it’s illegal to possess marijuana. Possession of more than five grams for a minor would result in a criminal charge while smaller amounts would be handled through ticketing and seizure.
DO expect to see public education campaigns surrounding safe consumption of cannabis.
DON’T do drugs and drive. The province has taken a zero-tolerance approach for drivers of all ages and experience levels. Police will be able to test drivers using roadside drug screening devices, which test saliva for THC (the ingredient in cannabis that causes impairment). Under a proposed Criminal Code amendment, having two to five nanograms of THC in the blood will result in an immediate licence suspension and a 30day vehicle seizure. Even without a Criminal Code charge, drivers who fail a standard field sobriety test (SFST) will have their licence and car seized for three days, will have four demerits applied to their driver’s licence, and will have to take a driving while impaired course. For new drivers, the penalties are even steeper. Drivers of the legal age can possess cannabis; they just can’t be high while behind the wheel.
DO make cannabis an unattractive commodity. The rules around advertising, promotions and packaging are strict, similar to tobacco marketing. Packaging must be plain.
DON’T start your own grow-op. A maximum of four marijuana plants can be legally grown per household. The government continues to explore rules about where and how cannabis can be grown.