RCMP finding drivers with open weed in vehicles

The RCMP in Newfoundland and Labrador says it continues to find drivers in breach of the Cannabis Control Act for having cannabis in their vehicles that is accessible to the driver and passengers.

The police force says a number of tickets were issued to drivers last weekend.

On Jan. 9, an off-duty RCMP officer on the west coast observed open cannabis in a truck, which was parked on the parking lot of a local business, the RCMP stated in a news release.

The officer witnessed the passenger light up a joint in the vehicle and watched him get out of the vehicle and continue to smoke cannabis in a public place, police said.

The officer approached the vehicle and occupants and identified himself as a police officer. The officer observed an open bottle and case of beer in the truck, the RCMP stated.

The driver was assessed for sobriety and was later issued tickets under the Cannabis Control Act and Liquor Control Act.

In the late evening of Jan. 12, an RCMP officer pulled a vehicle over in Bay Roberts for having a burnt-out headlight.

The driver, a 23-year-old Bishop’s Cove man, was found in possession of cannabis that was readily available in the vehicle, and police determined the vehicle was not registered or insured, the RCMP stated.

The driver’s licence was suspended, his vehicle was seized and impounded, and he was ticketed for having cannabis readily available in the vehicle, for having expired registration and for not having insurance.

RCMP NL stated it would like to remind the public that cannabis has been legalized for consumption within a private residence but not within a vehicle or in a public place. Cannabis can be transported within a vehicle, but is not permitted to be in the vicinity of the driver or passengers of a vehicle unless it is in the package in which it was purchased and the seal is unbroken. Otherwise, all cannabis should be transported in an area of the vehicle that is not readily available, such as the trunk or other cargo area.