(Photo courtesy © Can Stock)(Photo courtesy © Can Stock)
Sarnia

Pot legal but specifics still up in the air

Sarnia police are reminding residents that while marijuana is now legal across Canada, it can only be purchased online in Ontario.

Brick and mortar stores will not open across the province until April, and municipalities will have the choice to opt out of private sector sales.

City police Vice Sgt. John Pearce said possession charges can still be laid.

"You're only allowed to have 30 grams on you. If the number you are in possession of exceeds that, there is still an offence and you can be charged" said Pearce. "It's more of a discretionary thing where you can be [charged]. It's like a tool we have where anybody can be charged with any offence if we see fit, and the circumstances dictate. But ultimately, that's where our discretion and common sense start to come into play, as well as education."

Pearce said the Doug Ford government is still working on its regulations and is changing its mind on allowing pot to be smoked wherever tobacco smoking is allowed.

New provincial pot consumption rules are expected to pass on Wednesday.

Lambton College VP of Finance and Administration Margaret Dragan said they have an interim policy in place on campus for students and staff.

"Prior to the introduction of provincial cannabis legislation, we have been in the process of planning to become a smoke-free campus in the near future," said Dragan. "With the imminent passage of Bill 36, Lambton will comply with the provisions of the legislation, and for now, allow smoking of cannabis, as well as tobacco products, in designated areas only."

Fanshawe College has decided to ban smoking of any kind at all of its campuses and properties starting November 1.

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