By Tyler Marr

Province outlines fines for cannabis offenses

Jul 4, 2018 | 2:00 PM

From using cannabis in a public place to selling to a minor, the Saskatchewan government has outlined its framework on fines for infractions when cannabis is legal in October.

Ticket amounts range from $200 to a maximum of $2,250. The fines will not come into effect until the provincial Cannabis Control Act comes into force this fall. The new regulations are similar to current rules around alcohol, according to the province.

Some of the ticketing offences include a $200 ticket for consuming cannabis in a public place, possessing or giving out more than 30 grams of dried cannabis in a public place and possessing or consuming cannabis in a campground when a prohibition is in effect.

A $1,000 fine will be given out for consuming cannabis at school, on school grounds or at a child care facility and a $2,250 ticket will find its way to a permittee or employee of a retail location if they fail to ask for proof of age or sell or distribute cannabis to a minor. A similar fine will also be given out to those selling to someone who appears intoxicated. A $750 ticket will be in place for anyone caught selling or giving cannabis to a minor.

Fines will also be handed out for distributing one or more budding or flowering cannabis plants and more than four cannabis pants that are not budding or flowering. Possessing one or more budding or flowering plants in public or more than four cannabis plants not budding or flowering will be met with fines as well.

Event Centre funding

City may hire lobbyist for event centre money

7h ago

International honours

Raiders' Kubiesa to represent Czechia at IIHF U18 Men's World Championship

10h ago

Learn the signs

How often should you change your brakes?

14h ago

Jim Southam, the owner of Prairie Cannabis, who won one of two retail permits in Prince Albert, welcomed the stiff penalties to help send a strong message to the market.

“They are setting an example and they want to [get across] that public safety and health is their primary concern,” he said. “There has to be a deterrence for people to follow the laws that are in place.”

Southam said the government has routinely tweaked liquor laws over the past 80 years and expected to see a similar scenario around cannabis. He also emphasized that health, safety and education will be top of mind when he starts to hire budtenders to assist at his storefront.

He made note of government safe serve programs and private endeavours, like one between Lyft and MADD, which will look to train workers on the frontline of cannabis operations, he will rely on to ensure rigorous compliance.

Until Oct. 17, current laws and rules apply and cannabis for recreational purposes remains illegal.

panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr