Regina police chief, mayor react to Sask. pot framework

Regina’s Police Chief Evan Bray is happy the Saskatchewan government have finally rolled out the framework on pot.

On the other hand they’re still waiting — as is every other police station — for the federal government’s response on pot.

Chief Bray said in the meantime his officers can be more accurately trained.

“(The framework) really does help us in terms of preparing and understanding on what the law is going to be,” Bray said. “Educating our members, getting our document’s ready, getting our systems in order so that we’re ready for when this legislative change happens.”

Bray predicted it’s going to be a scramble for police stations across Canada once Ottawa has confirmed what tool they’ll be allowed to use to test for marijuana impairment.

“(The device) has to be accepted by the Criminal Code of Canada no different than how we test with alcohol like with breathalyzers.”

Bray said as they wait for the Trudeau government to decide when their framework will come down, the Regina police will try to the best of their abilities to be ready for when marijuana is legalized.

Mayor pleased with province’s ‘reasonable’ approach

The province’s pot framework is getting approval from Mayor Michael Fougere, who called it comprehensive.

“These are reasonable approaches to make given that there’s been a pressure to have these regulations come in by the federal government pushing so quickly for legalization,” he said.

The framework includes a minimum legal age of consuming non-medicinal marijuana of 19 years old, no consumption in public spaces, schools or daycares and a limit of four plants per household for home production.

Fougere said the city will be taking a closer look at zoning and where Regina’s six dispensaries may be located.

The lingering issue for the mayor has to do with revenue sharing.

“That is the larger issue than just the framework. That discussion will take place in the coming weeks.”