The Sarnia Police Service is adding a specialized cannabis enforcement officer.
The police services board granted approval in special session on Tuesday to add a provincially funded "pot cop" to the compliment before weed is legalized October 17.
Deputy Police Chief Owen Lockhart says the officer will focus on illegal cannabis activity.
"They would still be a member of the Sarnia Police Service. They would be similar to our intelligence officer and they would report to myself," says Lockhart. "They would be combating illegal cannabis sales and distribution. They would also be doing enforcement of [legal] distribution centres and storefront operations."
He says provincial funding approval is still needed, however, the new PC government has halted all enforcement funding for the time being while it reviews budgets.
Lockhart says if the program goes through, the number of Sarnia uniform officers will increase to 112.