File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / SoruEpotokFile photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / SoruEpotok
Sarnia

Police waiting for smoke to clear on legalized pot

Sarnia police are waiting for the smoke to clear on the legalization of marijuana.

Pot will be legally available online October 17 but private retail sales won't happen until April of next year.

Ontario's Doug Ford government has said it won't cap the number of licensed stores and will allow recreational pot smoking wherever cigarette smoking is permitted.

City police constable John Sottosanti said people shouldn't think there won't be any restrictions.

"There have been dispensaries that have been opened up and taken down, and that's going to continue even after the 17th, and even into April of next year," said Sottosanti. "If you don't have the proper licensing that will be issued by the government, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission, you're not legal. It's like someone opening up a liquor store without the proper licensing, you just cannot do that."

The province is also giving municipalities until January 22 to decide if they want to opt out of the sale of pot within their boundaries.

Constable Sottosanti says, like everyone else, they're waiting for direction from government on various issues like how much the fines are going to be for those caught smoking pot under the age of 19.

He says there are concerns about second-hand marijuana smoke, especially for children, and whether municipalities will have to add bylaw officers to enforce restrictions.

Sottosanti also says edibles won't be legal.

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