The rules, she emphasized, will be compliant with all the legislation and regulations that the City of Lethbridge, Province and Federal Governments set out.

“We’re taking a harm reduction and education approach, but also a very balanced approach,” she added. “In terms of smoking and vaping, there will only be five locations where it will be permitted. They’re all outdoor locations away from sensitive areas.”

Massey said medical health, addictions and faculty members who have done research on cannabis use were all invited to give their input.

“They were very helpful in terms of sharing their expertise and knowledge. And I think there’s more to learn.”

That may include revisiting their policy after a year or two, to see where it may need to be improved upon or changed – and if it’s accomplishing what they hoped it would.

She also said many students are already using cannabis recreationally, and so this was an opportunity for the university to educate them more on the repercussions, consequences and effects or benefits that marijuana can have on the brain and the rest of the body.

“It’s important for us as a university to provide as much good information as possible for people to make good decisions.”

Massey also pointed out that because the U of L’s campus in Calgary is mainly indoors, smoking or vaping recreational marijuana will not be permitted.

LNN also approached Lethbridge College about their recreational marijuana policy. However, we were told that officials are still in the process of developing the policies at this time.