City council could not agree to approve the proposed Cannabis Consumption Bylaw at its July 3 regular meeting. The sticking point for many of the councillors was how or whether to permit consumption sites in the city. “Come Oct. 17, I don’t think we really know what’s going to happen,” Coun. Ron Chapman said. “We can set up a consumption site but I don’t think it’s going to stop people from lighting up all over town.” The federal government announced June 20 the use and production of recreational cannabis would be legal in Canada Oct. 17. While the provincial government has established guidelines for the production and consumption of cannabis, municipalities have been allowed to introduce more restrictive regulations. Staff proposed a one-year pilot project be run, allowing the consumption of cannabis in one public location – the naturalized area in Sierra Springs just south of the Airdrie Co-op. A public hearing, held during the council meeting, allowed residents to voice their support for or concerns regarding the proposed bylaw. Those that spoke against the bylaw were primarily concerned with the location of some of the consumption sites originally proposed, including a site in Gateway near Superstore and the storm pond in Highland Park. Dr. Jason Cabaj, medical officer of Health, Calgary Zone with Alberta Health Services, said he liked the “precautionary approach” while speaking in favour of the proposed bylaw. Ultimately, councillors decided to vote for this plan, with Mayor Peter Brown as the lone dissenting voice. Brown voted against allowing permission for third reading of the bylaw, which means it will return to council Aug. 20 for further debate and discussion. “I’m all for having no consumption sites anywhere. We outlaw alcohol; it’s another mind-alterating substance, this is the same thing,” Brown said. “I just don’t see how you don’t have those two substances in the same barrel. It should be outlawed across the city and see how it goes, because it’s going to go anyway.” Coun. Tina Petrow pointed out that without public consumption sites, some residents of multi-family complexes, where smoking of tobacco and potentially cannabis are banned, will have nowhere to smoke what will be a legal substance. Smoking Bylaw Council approved two amendments to the existing Smoking bylaw. “Staff are also recommending two changes to the Smoking Bylaw to include...excluding cannabis from the Smoking Bylaw so that this may be dealt with in a separate bylaw for cannabis consumption,” said Kari Katiuk, Legislative Services team leader. Coun. Candice Kolson said she would reluctantly vote in favour of the bylaw amendments. Kolson said she would be in favour of a complete overhaul of the bylaw to include further restrictions on smoking or vaping in all public parks – of tobacco or cannabis.
