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Police officers across the country will take a series on online classes on the new federal cannabis legislation, which includes the effects of the drug’s psychoactive compounds and their effect on the ability to drive.

The RCMP — with 127 detachments and 7,100 sworn members in B.C. — has not yet finalized its policy on the use of cannabis by its members, but hinted that prohibition is not in their plans either.

“Once finalized, the policy will provide direction to employees and their supervisors surrounding work standards on the non-medicinal use of cannabis,” according to a statement from Sgt. Marie Damian.

When it is implemented, its goals will be to “maintain public safety and a safe workplace.”

“All RCMP officers must be fit for duty when reporting for work, which includes not being impaired by alcohol or any other type of drug,” she said.

In the United States, many police forces in states that have legal recreational cannabis forbid their members from using cannabis, as it remains illegal under federal law.

Other municipal police forces in B.C. report a mixed bag of mainly incomplete policy reviews.

“We have been reviewing West Vancouver Police policies about fitness for duty in preparation for the legalization of cannabis,” said department spokesman Const. Jeff Palmer. “That review included consultation with agencies such as the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police and the West Vancouver Police Association, which is our union.”

The proposed revisions will be considered for approval by the department’s civilian employer, the West Vancouver Police Board, by Oct. 17, he said.

The Abbotsford Police Department has not finalized a policy concerning recreational cannabis.

rshore@postmedia.com

— with file from Canadian Press

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