in

Cannabis is legal in Canada, but that doesn’t mean you can smoke it anywhere.

In fact, Mississauga is currently deciding where the substance can be smoked in the city.

As you might recall, on October 17, 2018, recreational cannabis was legalized by the federal government. Although laws are in place in regards to the consumption, purchase and cultivation of cannabis, there are still many decisions that need to be made by Mississauga and surrounding municipalities.

Council Sue McFadden brought forward a motion at a recent Region of Peel meeting in regards to the prevention of smoking in public spaces.

"I am bringing this notice of motion forward, after concerns raised certainly in the City of Mississauga and during the election campaign and I thought it would be good for us to open the discussion on what the Region is going to do with our public health department on not allowing the smoking of cannabis and cigarettes on public property," says Councillor Sue McFadden of Ward 10.

Currently on the Government of Ontario website, it indicates various areas where smoking cannabis is possible. Those area include private residences (not including residences that are workplaces such as retirement homes and long-term care facilities), designated guest rooms, many outdoor public spaces and in certain residential vehicles and boats that meet criteria.

All of these areas are subject still to municipal bylaws, lease agreements, employee policies and property owners.

At a meeting earlier in the year, the city decided that retail cannabis stores will not be allowed in Mississauga (this could change in the future, but no stores will be allowed in the city in the immediate future due to concerns over how the stores will be regulated).

However, the city is still working on developing a by-law on whether cannabis can be smoked recreationally in public spaces.

"Staff are already actively working on this issue and we are in consultation right now and continuing consultation with stakeholders through January and then a report will be brought back to Council in spring of 2019 recommending updates to the outdoor smoking by-law, which will be more comprehensive it will include cannabis as well as some of the vaporized products and the non burn heated products as well," says Dr. Jessica Hopkins, Medical Officer of Health at the Region of Peel.

Ward 9 Councillor Pat Saito mentioned that the discussion had already taken place during a council meeting and that staff have already been directed to look into the issue and that further discussions would not be necessary.

"We are working hand in hand with Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon...the technical issue is regional staff are not bound by motions passed in the City of Brampton or the City of Mississauga...if you want to compel regional staff to do something then we do need a direction from Regional Council as well as from a local council," says David Szwarc, Chief Administrative Office of the Region of Peel.

As staff at the Region of Peel and City of Mississauga continue to look into the issue, updates will be provided. It will be interesting to see how the city will manage bylaws in regards to cannabis during 2019.

Do you support a ban on smoking cannabis in public places in Mississauga?