Recreational cannabis might be legal now across Canada, but one driver in West Vancouver got an expensive reminder that there’s still some laws he has to follow.
A 23-year-old Calgary man found this out the hard way on Tuesday morning. During a police roadblock on the Lions Gate Bridge around 2:00 a.m., officers spotted a cannabis-filled pipe on the dashboard of his 2010 Jeep Patriot.
This incident landed him a $230 ticket.
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Driver learns it's legal for adults but subject to rules for safety. @JaneSeyd @NorthShoreNews story regarding 1st @WestVanPolice violation ticket issued under new BC Cannabis Act at https://t.co/gF7P2sP1F6. Click https://t.co/zFxXRRIRVI for more info at https://t.co/2gH7SPzQqG. pic.twitter.com/DYNmAk6l0q
— West Vancouver PD (@WestVanPolice) November 7, 2018
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The pipe wasn’t lit and officers assumed that the driver wasn’t either. However, it’s still against the law to use cannabis while driving or being inside a vehicle.
Those who are 19 years old and over can possess and transport up to 30 grams marijuana in a vehicle. They just need to have it in a sealed package and away from the driver.
Cannabis can impair each person differently. The impairment on individuals can depend on:
- The method of consumption, for example how cannabis was consumed (smoked, inhaled, ingested);
- The quantity of cannabis consumed ;
- The variety of cannabis and its THC levels, including cannabis prescribed for medical use.
As a result, there is no guidance to drivers about how much cannabis can be consumed before it’s unsafe to drive or how long a driver should wait to drive after consuming cannabis.
Anyone who drives under the influence of cannabis, alcohol, other drugs or a combination of those will receive a 90-day roadside driving ban.
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