Sask. RCMP have laid 7 cannabis-related impaired driving charges since legalization Social Sharing

gb123

Well-Known Member
596 alcohol-related impaired driving charges laid in same time period

Cory Coleman · CBC News · Posted: Mar 08, 2019 8:41 AM CT | Last Updated: March 8

Impaired driving was a top concern for police around the country when it comes to legalizing recreational marijuana. (CBC News)
Saskatchewan RCMP say they have laid only seven charges of suspected cannabis-related impaired driving since recreational marijuana became legal on Oct. 17.

Impaired driving was a top concern around legalization for police across the country.

As a response, many police forces have increased their resources and training to deal with drivers who get behind the wheel after consuming marijuana.

But so far those concerns have been more smoke than flame for RCMP in Saskatchewan.

"The numbers are a little bit lower than I would expect," said Cpl. Rob King, spokesperson for Saskatchewan RCMP. King noted that RCMP laid almost 600 alcohol-related impaired driving charges in the same amount of time.

However, King says concerns around impaired driving relating to cannabis, or any other drug, are warranted.

"I think the public education was one of the reasons why we probably have such a low number," he said.


"I think there's high level of concern of people driving after they've consumed anything that could affect or impair their level of driving," said Cpl. Rob King, spokesperson for Saskatchewan RCMP. (Kirk Fraser/CBC)
"We've taken a great deal of steps to educate [officers] on how to look for the signs of being impaired by cannabis or any other type of drugs."

RCMP currently has 83 drug recognition experts (DRE) in Saskatchewan, according to King, who are specially trained to assess the suspected type of drug someone may have consumed and the level of impairment.

Saliva testing kits known as the Draeger Drug Test 5000 are also being spread out to RCMP detachments around the province, said King.

He also said RCMP won't be changing their strategy around impaired driving involving cannabis despite the low number of charges.

"I think there's high level of concern of people driving after they've consumed anything that could affect or impair their level of driving," said King.

"It's something that's a problem across the country. It's something that's a problem across the world. So I think police will constantly be faced with that problem and will constantly be battling with it."

Low number of charges, if any, in Regina
Regina has also seen few, if any, impaired driving charges related to cannabis.

"I don't have numbers but I'll use the word low, like we have not laid a lot of impaired driving charges," said Regina police Chief Evan Bray after last week's Board of Police Commissionaires meeting.

"In fact, I don't think we've laid any impaired driving charges as a result of cannabis. We've had multiple as a result of alcohol, none as a result of cannabis."

He said police have addressed complaints of people consuming cannabis in public, but those have been dealt with through "communication and education," he said.

"I would say it has been a very positive few months as we step into this new era of legislation legalize cannabis."

He said Regina police are continuing to train officers on federal and provincial cannabis laws and how they apply.
 

gb123

Well-Known Member
He said police have addressed complaints of people consuming cannabis in public, but those have been dealt with through "communication and education," he said.

"I would say it has been a very positive few months as we step into this new era of legislation legalize cannabis."

He said Regina police are continuing to train officers on federal and provincial cannabis laws and how they apply.



sounds like they dont even get their own laws..WTF are COPS investigating the SMELL of cannabis thought that was a BY LAW NOW>>>lol
 

The Hippy

Well-Known Member
He said police have addressed complaints of people consuming cannabis in public, but those have been dealt with through "communication and education," he said.

"I would say it has been a very positive few months as we step into this new era of legislation legalize cannabis."

He said Regina police are continuing to train officers on federal and provincial cannabis laws and how they apply.



sounds like they dont even get their own laws..WTF are COPS investigating the SMELL of cannabis thought that was a BY LAW NOW>>>lol
It's all a dog n pony show to make you think it's legal. They NOW think they own and invented cannabis.
I'll work against them forever.
 

R.Raider

Well-Known Member
sounds like they dont even get their own laws..WTF are COPS investigating the SMELL of cannabis thought that was a BY LAW NOW>>>lol
I know. And they made such a big fuckin deal about where they're going to get all this money they apparently needed to enforce all these new laws, instead of understanding how much they were going to save.

Such a shit show these guys are all the time :roll:.
 

gb123

Well-Known Member
Among the beneficiaries of legalized pot may be an unlikely group: 9-1-1 call operators.

With the legalization of recreational cannabis, there are fewer reasons to “snitch” on marijuana users and the Toronto Police Service is well aware of that fact.


A Toronto Police Service ad campaign to stop people from calling 9-1-1 on cannabis users. (TPS)

The service has launched a new ad campaign against trivial non-emergencies called “Do not call 9-1-1,” not to discourage the use of the emergency line, but its use in circumstances now deemed “not critical” by the momentous Cannabis Act, which went into effect Wednesday.

In the new series of ads, different types of cannabis use are compared to other unnecessary reasons for dialing 9-1-1:

“Asking for directions because you’re lost is not a 9-1-1 call,” one reads, adding that that was in fact a 9-1-1 call. “Reporting an adult smoking a joint isn’t either… Do not call police for this.”

“Asking what to do with your frozen meat during a power outage is not a 9-1-1 call,” reads another (also an actual call made to 9-1-1, it says). “Smelling weed coming from your neighbour’s home isn’t either.”

“Asking police to call your friend because you’re out of minutes is not a 9-1-1 call,” reads a third ad (indeed, a real 9-1-1 call). “Calling about your neighbour’s pot plants isn’t either.”

The ads go on to state that consumption in Ontario is allowed for anyone 19 years of age and older anywhere cigarette smoking is allowed (except in a motor vehicle) and that up to four cannabis plants are permitted per household (in Ontario).

The new campaign was announced along with a press release by Chief Mark Saunders on reasons for prohibiting Toronto officers from serving on active duty within 28 days of consuming cannabis.

“Going forward it is important for everyone to take the time to educate themselves on legalization,” he said.
 

doingdishes

Well-Known Member
they don't get it at all. cannabis doesn't impair you the way alcohol does. when i am doing dabs etc i don't want to go anywhere but if i was drinking, i wanted to go everywhere. cannabis doesn't impair the same as alcohol.
i wish they would do a study without the reefer madness stuff and see how it affects people. i have seen one where the lady took some CBD oil and when they showed her 30 minutes later, she looked high and sounded high...but if it was real CBD, how did she get high? the people who smoked were told there were no real signs of impairment but would issue the 24 hr suspension to be on the side of caution. i am not saying you should light up and boogie around but some real research needs to be done here.
 
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