Due to impending marijuana legalization in Canada, an amendment update to Cochrane’s smoking bylaw was a hot topic at the last regular session of town council. Jaylene Knight, the town's manager of legislative services, gave a non-decisive, information-only presentation to council on behalf of administration. “Legislative Services is working with Communications to develop a public engagement plan and communications strategy to ensure the public is consulted and feedback incorporated before the bylaw amendments are finalized,” said Knight in her presentation to council.

“This project will be added to the Let’s Talk Cochrane website and all public engagement opportunities will be advertised.”

In their work on the bylaw, administration has been taking a hard look at Edmonton and Calgary’s marijuana regulation, as well as regulation within the alcohol industry. Calgary has decided to ban public marijuana consumption, while Edmonton city council will vote on the matter during their next regular meeting later this month.

"There has been a tendency to attempt to align approaches with either alcohol or tobacco. In reality, cannabis has elements that are similar to both,” said Knight.

"It is similar to alcohol in terms of its effect on cognitive functioning, which we have heard clearly from Alberta Health Services. It's similar to tobacco in terms of its impacts related to secondhand smoke exposure and respiratory issues, as well as odour."

One might be surprised to find out that the debate over public regulation is not waged in every Canadian municipal council chambers. Currently, eight provinces and territories have rules in place that ban public consumption, negating the need for any municipal-level regulation.

Knight explained, “This is not the case in Alberta, as the provincial framework has identified that public consumption of cannabis would be permitted, but with restrictions in place."

Council will take another look at the proposed smoking bylaw amendment during a regular session in June.