Smoke on the border: Canada pot rules differ from US

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Tourists thinking of enhancing a boat ride across Waterton Lake with some recreational marijuana next summer better be aware of two things.

First, while Canada has legalized cannabis for general use it remains illegal to take it across the U.S. international border. And second, tour boats sailing out of Waterton Lakes National Park and into Glacier National Park don’t allow smoking of anything onboard, from tobacco to weed.

“We did not do this to become the world of partying for people who like cannabis,” Canadian Consul General Stephane Lessard said in an interview with the Missoulian. “People should be responsible. It’s like responsible drinking. Use common sense. Stay within the law.”

And the law on both sides of the border says it’s illegal to transport marijuana, even from U.S. states like Washington that have also legalized recreational cannabis use.

Canada’s federal government started allowing people to buy, sell and use small amounts of marijuana on Oct. 17. But visitors need to be aware of some important rules and future changes.

For one thing, Canadian provinces may impose different or stricter local laws than the national policy. The federal law sets the age limit for using cannabis at 18. Alberta uses the same age, but next-door British Columbia set its threshold at 19.

Users are allowed to have 30 grams of dried marijuana. Edibles have not been legalized yet. That may occur in late 2019, after the nation studies how the initial year went. Yukon Territory only allows consumption in private residences. Northwest Territories prohibits use in places with children. Alberta cannabis sellers must operate separately from places selling alcohol, tobacco or pharmaceuticals. Prices are set by the government, and range from $5.25 to $20 per gram.

“Parks Canada has made it a restricted activity,” said Waterton spokesman John Stoesser. “You can’t smoke in public areas of campgrounds, cooking areas or roads. We’re pretty close to Alberta’s provincial legislation for the rules around tobacco use. You can’t use it in buildings, playgrounds, schools. All that applies to Waterton as well.”

Stoesser said he knew of no cannabis dispensaries opening up in Waterton Townsite, but that could change by next summer.

Canada followed Uruguay to become the second country legalizing its marijuana market. Lessard said the move is intended to allow public management of cannabis use, keep it out of the hands of children and take a profit center away from organized crime.

“The black market was owning that production line, and using the proceeds to feed other criminal activities,” Lessard said. “This is also a way of dealing with other health and safety issues like unlicensed grow operations that put neighbors in danger. It will allow us to ensure the quality of production because producers will be held to a wide variety of requirements. It protects minors while enabling adults to do what they will.”

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