Teen in Oak Bay receives $230 fine for ‘operating vehicle with cannabis in it’
Oak Bay issued has issued its first cannabis ticket since recreational use of the drug became legal on Oct. 17.
On Oct. 28, an 18-year-old was caught rolling cannabis while in the care and control of a vehicle in a parking lot, said Deputy Police Chief Ray Bernoties.
The charge was operating a vehicle with cannabis in it, said Bernoties, explaining the teen is considered a minor under the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act.
On Oct. 17, it became legal to carry up to 30 grams of dried cannabis in public. However, just like alcohol, consuming it in a car is not legal.
“While he was not caught impaired driving, it seems that was quite likely to occur,” said Bernoties.
“He was issued a ticket for $230 and his father came and got him and the car.”
Most concerning is that the youth was likely going to drive away under the influence of cannabis had he not been checked by police, said Oak Bay police on its Twitter account, showing a photo of the ticket. “Impaired driving kills people. Why can't we learn that?”
Since Oct. 17, the celebration around the legalization of recreational cannabis has been undercut by hefty fines incurred by those who allegedly violated laws around pot use.
Two youths were fined $230 for having marijuana in Langford on Oct. 17. Canada’s new cannabis laws make it legal for adults to consume and possess cannabis, but it is still illegal for anyone under the age of 19 years old to do so, Const. Darren Somerville said at the time.
West Shore RCMP said police were conducting foot patrols in a park near Belmont Secondary School when they found the youths.
“Police are focusing on enforcement for anyone in contravention of the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act,” he said.
Hours after people lined up outside Newfoundland cannabis stores to buy the first legal bud in Canada, police in St. Johns, N.L., said they ticketed a man accused of having more than 30 grams of weed in a public place without a licence.
Halifax district RCMP said they issued a $295 fine after officers spotted an open bag of government-supplied cannabis within the driver’s reach after he was pulled over for having expired plates at 2:30 a.m. Thursday in Dartmouth.
“It was right in the centre console,” said Cpl. Dal Hutchinson.
Also on Oct. 17, Ontario Provincial Police took to Twitter to post a photo of a $215 ticket given to someone who allegedly had a bag of marijuana in their car.
The OPP urged people not to indulge while in a vehicle.