Cannabis Legalization

News

Cannabis consumption – In the Town of Peace River consumption of cannabis in public will be regulated by the Alberta Tobacco Reduction Act and the Cannabis Act. More details are available here.

Bylaw 2038 – A Public Hearing was held in the Town of Peace River Council Chambers and the Cannabis Retails and Production Land Use Amendment received 3rd reading on August 13, 2018.

Bylaw 2032 – A Public Hearing was held in the Town of Peace River Council Chambers and the Cannabis Definitions bylaw received 3rd reading on June 25, 2018.

On this page

Background Info

Municipal Responsibilities

FAQ

Public Consultation

Survey Results

Questions?

Background info



On April 13, 2017, the Federal Government announced that non-medical Cannabis (also known as marijuana, marihuana) would be legalized by July 2018. Cannabis is currently an illegal substance (with the exception of authorized medical use) under the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

The anticipated federal legislation will:

Allow adults to possess up to 30 grams of legally-produced cannabis;

Allow adults to grow up to four cannabis plants per household;

Set the minimum age for purchase and use at 18 years of age, with the option for provinces to increase the age limit;

Enable a regulatory regime for the licensed production of cannabis, which would be controlled by the federal government;

Enable a regulatory regime for the distribution and sale of cannabis, which would be controlled by the provincial government; and

Establish new provisions to address drug-impaired driving, as well as making several changes to the overall legal framework to address alcohol-impaired driving.

While legalization is a federal decision, provinces and municipalities have been given areas of responsibility. In response, the Province of Alberta has developed the Alberta Cannabis Framework which deals with the managing of legalized cannabis, including:

Comprehensive government oversight of distribution and retail;

Alignment with existing tobacco laws for public consumption; and

Tools to empower law enforcement and employers to ensure safety on our roads and at work.

What are the Municipal Responsibilities?



The following is a breakdown of the jurisdictional responsibilities among the three levels of government.

As such, Municipal jurisdiction will be primarily focused on land use, zoning, business licenses, public consumption, and enforcement. The provincial government has decided in favour of private retail outlets for the sale of cannabis. This will be a similar approach to how alcohol is sold in Alberta. The Alberta Government will operate online sales.

The Province has stated that retail cannabis will not be authorized as a co-use and therefore will be prohibited from alcohol, tobacco, and pharmaceutical retail locations.

FAQ

Cannabis Legalization

The Government of Canada has introduced legislation to legalize cannabis. There will be new federal, provincial and municipal processes for cannabis production, sale and consumption.

The legalization of cannabis will have many impacts. Your municipal government is reviewing federal and provincial direction and legislation as it becomes available, to help manage the legalization of cannabis in the best interest of our community.

What Bylaws has the Town passed related to Cannabis?

Currently, no bylaws have been passed. Bylaws 2032 and 2033 both received the first reading from Peace River’s Town Council on Monday, May 14, 2018 you can view them here. The process of passing a bylaw requires three readings and amendments may be made at any point, even with first reading these Bylaw ares stil very much drafts and will be informed by the public feedback Council recieves.

What is cannabis?

Cannabis is a broad term used to describe the various products derived from the leaves, flowers and resins of the cannabis plants. These products exist in various forms and are used for different purposes (e.g. medical, recreational, industrial).

Today, possessing and selling cannabis for non-medical purposes is still illegal everywhere in Canada. However, the federal Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations allow for reasonable access to cannabis for medical purposes for Canadians who’ve been authorized to use cannabis for medical purposes by their healthcare practitioner.

Where will Cannabis be able to be purchased in the Town of Peace River?

The Government of Alberta’s Bill 26, An Act to Control and Regulate Cannabis, will allow for two kinds of retail sales in Alberta: privately operated retail stores and government operated online retail. The location and development of privately operated retail stores will be regulated through the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) and the Town of Peace River.

The Town of Peace River is considering an amendment to the land use bylaw to enable and regulate the development of cannabis retail stores within the Town of Peace River. The AGLC will be responsible for regulating cannabis retail stores. Through this licencing process, the Province of Alberta has established a number of regulations controlling the development of these stores, including:

a minimum separation distance from certain types for uses;

Premises requirements;

Store hours, and

Limitations on the type and substance of signs.

The Town of Peace River has the responsibility to enable and regulate the development of cannabis retail stores through the land use bylaw.

What are the requirements of the Town of Peace River?

The Town of Peace River is developing an amendment to its land use bylaw to regulate and enable cannabis retail stores and cannabis production facilities. The draft bylaw can be viewed on the Town of Peace River webpage.

What are the regulations established by the AGLC?

Setbacks

A retail cannabis store may not be located within 100 metres of:

a provincial health care facility;

a school; and

a parcel of land designated as school reserve.

Retail store requirements

The retail location must have:

a point-of-sale area;

a shipping/receiving area that is separate from other businesses;

a secure storage area;

an alarm system;

a video surveillance system; and

a secure product display.

Premises requirements include:

a sales area;

a separate entrance/exit;

product receiving capability;

secure storage room and display for cannabis and accessories (see Section 3.3); and

no access from any area of the premises to another business.

It is prohibited to have visibility into the store from the outside. Drive-through windows are prohibited. A retail cannabis store cannot undertake major structural changes or be relocated without the prior approval of the AGLC. The licensee must have the legal right to occupy and control the facility or premises in which it is located. The primary sales of a retail cannabis store must be cannabis product sales.

Store Hours

Store hours may not open earlier than 10 a.m. or later than 2 a.m.

Store Names and Signs

Policies

Each retail cannabis store must have a distinct business name, approved by the AGLC, reflecting the nature of the business, and is not registered by another business interest.

Use of the term “Alberta” or “AGLC” is prohibited in a store name.

The business name is to be prominently displayed in signage at all public access points of the retail cannabis store.

Signage and contents must comply with all federal, provincial and municipal requirements.

Signage must be in good taste and not depict a lifestyle, endorsement, person, character or animal.

Signage may not promote intoxication. Terms and images such as, but not limited to, “chronic,” “stoned” or “high” are not permitted.

Signage that claims beneficial health effects, or makes a statement regarding increased potency or concentration are not permitted.

Sign(s) or identification may not include graphics which:

appeal to minors;

show the use of cannabis;

display intoxication;

display or identify a cannabis product or accessory;

display a price or indicate a price advantage; or

display any sporting or cultural event or activity.

Where will Cannabis be able to be consumed in the Town of Peace River?

The province is proposing to allow for consumption in cannabis in homes as well as, some public areas where smoking tobacco is allowed. Consumption of both tobacco and cannabis will be restricted in areas frequented by children, hospitals and schools. Consumption of cannabis will also be banned in vehicles.

Will advertising be allowed?

The federal government has proposed strict rules about advertising, labelling and packaging cannabis. Restrictions on cannabis advertising and packaging will generally mirror what is in place for tobacco.

Will the sale of edibles be allowed?

The federal government intends to allow for the sale of edible products. However, until further information is gathered the sale edible cannabis products will not be legal.

Will residents of the Town of Peace River be allowed to grow their own cannabis?

Each household, will be allowed to grow up to four (4) cannabis plants with a maximum height of 100 cm.

Public Consultation



During the month of May and early June we were seeking public feedback via a survey and two open houses scheduled. The survey results will be published later this summer the open house dates are below.

Public Open Houses

May 23, 2018, 6 pm to 8 pm at Athabasca Hall (9705 98 Ave).

June 6, 2018, 6 pm to 8 pm at Athabasca Hall (9705 98 Ave).

Survey



The survey closed June 6, 2018, at 8 pm.