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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, D ec em be r 6, 20 18 | 10 We love being part of your community. That's why we've invested in much more, extremely local news coverage. Now, you can get a wealth of community news in your newspaper. Register online for the latest home-grown neighbourhood news, opinions, insight, photos and much more at TheIFP.ca\register. It's real, local journalism you can trust, dedicated specifically to the place you call home. \registerTheIFP ca Register now to support your local journalism! cannabis, dried or equiva- lent, in public • Share up to 30 grams of legal cannabis with other adults • Grow up to four canna- bis plants per residence, for personal use • Make cannabis prod- ucts, such as food and drinks, at home, as long as organic solvents are not used to create concentrated products In Ontario, someone must also be 19 or older to le- gally use cannabis. "When we talk about le- gal dried cannabis, we mean cannabis that is purchased from a business or a compa- ny that is federally allowed to do that," said Smith. "It doesn't mean you can be in possession of cannabis that you bought off the deal- er on the street corner. That is still illegal. One of the ben- efits of this is that by having regulated cannabis, we know what's in it." Smith said the only way to currently purchase can- nabis legally in Ontario is through the online Ontario Cannabis Store. That will change on April 1, 2019. In the meantime, Smith said, any store that sells cannabis in Ontario is currently doing so illegally. Smith also noted that in- dividuals are prohibited from selling cannabis, even if they purchased it legally. Illegal distribution or sale of cannabis can still re- sult in tickets for small amounts and up to 14 years in jail for larger amounts. The Ontario Cannabis Store will sell only 30 grams at a time. When asked what is stop- ping someone from ordering 30 grams of cannabis one day and then placing subse- quent orders until the indi- vidual has a massive supply, Smith said nothing is stop- ping them. He noted the 30-gram pos- session limit refers to how much a person can have in public. Smith noted currently a person who is 19 or older can possess as much legal can- nabis as they want at their private residence. When it comes to having more in public than is per- mitted and how police would enforce the new law - Smith compared that situation to the speed limit. Police can't be every- where, he noted, and some- one can drive above the speed limit if they want to, but if they do it long enough, they will probably be caught, at which point there will be consequences. According to the Canna- bis Act, possession over the limit is punishable by tickets for small amounts and up to five years in prison for larg- er amounts. When asked what is stop- ping someone who is 19 or older from purchasing can- nabis and giving or selling it to underage youths, Smith noted there are stiff penal- ties for doing that, which in- clude a maximum of 14 years in jail. He also noted the Canna- bis Act decriminalizes youth possession of up to five grams of cannabis. How will police tell the difference between legal and illegal cannabis? Smith noted that legal cannabis packaging will fea- ture a special stamp. He recommended those travelling around with can- nabis should keep it in this packaging or have some oth- er proof of purchase. That said, Smith ac- knowledged there is nothing to stop someone from put- ting illegal cannabis in used packaging that features this special stamp, and he said police are examining other ways of spotting illegal mar- ijuana. Smith also addressed questions about where peo- ple can smoke cannabis, not- ing the rules largely mirror those currently in place with regard to tobacco. RESIDENTS CAN SMOKE IN: • Private residences • Many outdoor public places • Designated guest rooms in hotels, motels and inns • Residential vehicles and boats that meet certain criteria (e.g. have perma- nent sleeping accommoda- tions and cooking facilities, and are parked or anchored) • Scientific research and testing facilities, when can- nabis research is underway • Controlled areas in long-term care homes, cer- tain retirement homes, resi- dential hospices, provincial- ly funded supportive hous- ing, and designated psychi- atric facilities or veterans facilities. THE LIST OF PLACES WHERE PEOPLE CANNOT SMOKE CANNA- BIS INCLUDE: • Indoor common areas in condos, apartment build- ings and university/college residences • Enclosed public places and enclosed workplaces • At schools, on school grounds, and all public ar- eas within 20 metres of these grounds • On children's play- grounds and public areas within 20 metres of play- grounds • In child-care centres or where an early-years pro- gram is provided • In places where home NEWS Continued from page 1 ONLY CURRENT LEGAL PURCHASE IS THROUGH ONLINE ONTARIO CANNABIS See POLICE, page 11 Local journalism makes a difference. Support us by registering at theifp.ca Metroland graphic