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City police warn that they’ll be running multiple RIDE checks this week when recreational pot becomes legal including a “mega” version with multiple police agencies and MADD Canada.

It’s a “reminder” that impaired driving, whether it’s by alcohol or newly-licit cannabis, is still illegal, police said.

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“While cannabis may be legal as of October 17th, driving high is not,” the Ottawa Police Service said in a release.

“If you are charged with driving impaired by drugs, you face the same consequences as driving impaired by alcohol, which are a 90 days driver’s licence suspension, a seven-day vehicle impoundment and criminal charges.”

At the checks, officers will be screening drivers for any kind of impairment.

The force has 28 trained drug recognition experts and more than 270 officers trained to perform standardized field sobriety tests to detect impairment by alcohol, prescription and non-prescription drugs.

“If you plan on getting high and/or drunk, plan your ride home so we do not have to plan it for you!” police said.

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