As the federal government moves to legalize the recreational use of marijuana next year, Mayor Richard Ireland would like the municipality to begin reviewing the town鈥檚 bylaws should it become legal in 2017.
His comments to council follow a report published Dec. 13 by a federal task force that recommended the federal government adopt new rules to regulate the recreational use of marijuana.
According to the report鈥檚 recommendations, Canadian adults over the age of 18 should be able to carry up to 30 grams of marijuana for recreational purposes and grow up to four plants in their homes.
The task force also recommended marijuana should be sold in storefronts and by mail order. The report also stated it must be sold away from schools and should not be sold alongside alcohol.
The Liberal government, which promised to table legislation in the spring of 2017, may choose to accept or reject the task force鈥檚 recommendations.
The impact of legalizing the recreational use of marijuana on Jasper is far from certain, especially given that Parks Canada has authority over land use and development.
鈥淓ven though we don鈥檛 impact zoning we should have a position on whether there is an appropriate area within the existing zoning for retail sales of marijuana,鈥� said Ireland, adding it would also be prudent to review the town鈥檚 smoking bylaw.
鈥淚t may be that Parks Canada will take their own position, but it鈥檚 a community focused issue and I think we should be prepared to have some discussion and give some advice to Parks Canada about how the community would like to see it roll out.鈥�
Parks Canada declined to speculate about how the new legislation could affect Jasper.
鈥淧arks Canada cannot speculate on specifics of future legislative and regulatory framework. Until any new legislation comes into force, the current laws remain in effect,鈥� wrote Steve Young, a communications officer with Parks Canada.
Coun. Brian Nesbitt raised questions about how it could impact business licensing.
The issue has also been a concern in Canmore and Banff, which have begun looking at ways to change their respective land use bylaws to regulate marijuana should it become legal.
According to the Crag and Canyon, establishing marijuana regulations within its land use bylaw is a priority for Canmore鈥檚 planning department in 2017. The department has received approximately 10 inquiries about operating a marijuana dispensary or grow operation over the past year.
According to the news report, Banff鈥檚 planning and development department has also indicated it is drafting regulatory framework to update its land use bylaw to allow for the operation of medical marijuana dispensaries within the townsite.
Jasper鈥檚 municipal council agreed to bring up the topic during the next intergovernmental meeting.
Paul Clarke
[email protected]
