New penalties under provincial Highway Traffic Act coming ahead of legal cannabis.

A significant aspect of dealing with legalized cannabis for recreational use is tied to policing and enforcement.

There is already a ban on drug-impaired driving under the Criminal Code of Canada, as RNC Const. Karen Didham noted while speaking with reporters about cannabis Monday at the Confederation Building.

Didham is a certified drug recognition evaluator — a key part of investigating those cases where there is possible driving under the influence of drugs.

“I’ve been testing specifically for drug-impaired driving for the last 12 years,” she said, explaining it begins when police have reason to believe a driver might have been exposed to drugs.

Four pieces of legislation detail province’s personal-use rules, which will allow homegrown marijuana.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has introduced more of its plans for the legalization of cannabis, including allowing the growing of plants at home.

Four pieces of legislation were revealed Monday and are being debated this week — the last week scheduled for the spring session of the House of Assembly.

“I expect it’s going to be a very long week in the House,” Progressive Conservative MHA Paul Davis said after highlighting some of his lingering questions to reporters, while raising more later in the day on the House floor.

"I have smoked marijuana when I was 18 years old."

Conservative Sen. Don Plett told a Senate committee Monday that he smoked marijuana 50 years ago and is now concerned he may be barred entry into the United States if a border agent asks.

The Manitoba senator made the admission as the government's pot czar, Liberal MP and former Toronto police chief Bill Blair, appeared at the Senate's social affairs, science, and technology committee. The group is tasked with reviewing the government's marijuana legalization bill, clause by clause.

"Hope you give us your phone number that we can call you from the border," Plett said to Blair.

The federal government’s point man on the legalization of cannabis is preemptively rejecting any attempt by the Senate to delay the launch of the recreational market for the drug.

Liberal MP Bill Blair, who is the parliamentary secretary to the ministers of health and justice, told a Senate committee on Mondaymore work will be needed in coming months to deal with the consequences of legalization on Native and other at-risk communities.

However, he said the legislation is needed to quickly launch a strictly regulated market for recreational cannabis that will put an end to the current regime based on prohibition.

When non-profit developer Options for Homes launches its latest development The Humber this summer, it will bring something new to the market: a "Smoke Less" condo building that will restrict the consumption of tobacco and cannabis to vapourizers. 

The move is part of Options' commitment to creating a predominantly family friendly condo, which is reflected in the condo's suite mix, two-thirds of which are 2- and 3-bedroom suites suitable for families.

The Humber's comprehensive and thoughtful "Smoke Less" takes into account both the desire by many families to live in smoke-free buildings while also respecting homeowners' lifestyle choices to consume nicotine and cannabis products. It also addresses the forthcoming legalization of cannabis in Canada this year.

Whitecourt Town council discussed land-use regulations regarding cannabis legalization during its policies and priorities meeting on May 22.

Council voted 5-1 to proceed with the recommendations to add the word “cannabis” for Retail – General and Retail – Hilltop Commercial in the land-use bylaw. The Town will also be hosting a public hearing for these specific changes.

The meeting dealt with cannabis regulations for retail, production facilities and medical offices. Council will address public consumption at a later date.

Retail

The City of Winkler is enacting a public smoking ban that includes vaping and marijuana and includes restaurant patios.

The by-law bans smoking or vaping in any outdoor seating area and indoor public places, including within 15 meters outside of any doorway or window of a municipal public building. Smoking is also banned within the boundaries of the Winkler Aquatic Centre.

However, Cannabis is also not permitted in any indoor or outdoor public space in Winkler, "so we're ready when Cannabis becomes legal," Mayor Martin Harder says.

He notes a specific Cannabis by-law will be created in the future as well, "a similar guide to what we have for alcohol consumption... it's not for public consumption, it's for private homes."

Government has yet to release price of recreational marijuana, or where it will buy it from.

With marijuana expected to become legal soon in Canada, the Northwest Territories will attempt to pass its law legalizing the drug.

The territory's MLAs will debate and vote on the Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Implementation Act this week before the Legislative Assembly breaks for the summer, when the federal government's legislation is expected to take effect.

Before the vote happens, regular MLAs will present amendments to the government's initial proposal announced last November.

At the Canadian Brewing Awards, Halifax, brewers from all over Canada have gathered to show off their finest brews. But this year’s conference has been eclipsed by a beer that doesn’t yet exist.

How is that possible? Well, we have two words for you: cannabis beer.

Beer experts know that a good beer needs great hops, being the main component in it. But here’s the thing: hops are relatives of the marijuana plant, so why not use it to make beer, if it’s going to be legalized?

Not Just the Flavour, But Also the High

Emily Tipton is the President of the Craft Brewers Association of Nova Scotia. She explains that:

Marine Atlantic expected to release new policy in the ‘coming weeks’.

Marine Atlantic, like many large corporations, is preparing for and struggling to get policies in place prior to the legalization of cannabis expected this summer.

The ferry service operates four vessels on two routes between North Sydney and Newfoundland. Last year, it carried 328,000 passengers and 95,000 commercial vehicles.

There are “concerns for both crew and passengers,” said Marine Atlantic’s David Frew, who is the vice-president of corporate strategy and human resources.