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Red Deer school districts ready for cannabis legalization

Oct 16, 2018 | 2:30 PM

Local school districts say they are ready for the legalization of cannabis.

Officials with Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools say the division will follow the Alberta Cannabis Framework, as well as the middle and high school curriculum, while striving to keep cannabis out of the hands of children and youth.

“We will continue to ensure students are aware of the dangers of drugs and alcohol,” says Dr. Dave Khatib, Associate Superintendent of Inclusive Learning, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, in a release. “It is still illegal for those under age 18. However, we do have supports available in our schools for students, including an Alberta Health Services addictions counsellor.”

Red Deer Public Schools Superintendent Stu Henry says nothing really changes for them, noting cannabis is not allowed at schools and that impairment will not be tolerated.

“These things are not allowed in our schools right now and that will continue to be the case after tomorrow,” states Henry. “We think there’s a lot of education that will need to happen over the next few years and we’re happy to play our part in that. That’s maybe one of the hidden benefits of this becoming legalized and tax coming in, is there will be a lot more money coming from the government for that education piece and we’re happy to support that.”

The Alberta Cannabis Framework and legislation states you must be 18 years of age to buy or consume cannabis, the same as Alberta’s minimum age for purchasing and consuming alcohol and tobacco. It is also the federal government’s proposed minimum age for legal cannabis.

Cannabis products meanwhile will be available for sale from retailers that will receive their products from the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC). The AGLC system will distribute cannabis similarly to the way it currently distributes alcohol.

Albertans will have two options for buying legal cannabis: privately run retail stores and AGLC-operated online sales.

Physical stores will be subject to government regulations and AGLC licensing terms, with buyers limited to 30 grams of cannabis per transaction, which is also the legal public possession limit.

Online sales and home delivery will only be available through a single website operated by the AGLC at albertacannabis.org. No other online sales or delivery will be allowed.

In terms of consumption, Albertans will be allowed to consume cannabis in their homes and in some public spaces where smoking tobacco is allowed, but it is banned in vehicles.

Municipalities however have the power to create additional restrictions on public use, so Albertans are encouraged to know their local rules before consuming.

Under federal legislation, adults will be able to grow up to 4 plants per household from seeds bought from licensed cannabis retailers.

Renters, condo-dwellers and those who live in multi-family dwellings may not be allowed to grow cannabis in their homes based on rules in rental agreements or condominium bylaws.

The federal government has created strict rules about advertising, labelling and packaging cannabis.

These include no promotion, packaging or labelling that could be considered appealing to young people, and ensuring that important product information is presented clearly.

Alberta will collect revenue on the sale of cannabis when it is legalized.