Cannabis

Cannabis - Know the Law in Grande Prairie

On October 17, 2018, recreational cannabis became legal in Canada. Each province and municipality has a different set of rules. Here's what legalization means in Grande Prairie:

Cannabis can only be consumed by those age 18+.
No cannabis use in vehicles, even for passengers.
Zero tolerance of cannabis use for drivers on a Graduated Drivers License (Class 5)
AGLC regulates the sale of cannabis. No one under the age of 18 can enter cannabis stores, even if with an adult.
Consumers may purchase and carry up to 30g at one time.
Residents in Grande Prairie have to get a permit to grow any cannabis plants. Each residence is limited to four plants. There is no cost to the permit and it is available at Enforcement Services via the Grande Prairie RCMP detachment, located at 10202 99 Street.

Residents can consume cannabis in a few public places with the following restrictions in place.

Don’t smoke, vape, apply, inhale, or ingest cannabis:

Any place you can’t smoke tobacco
Downtown between 100 Avenue to 101 Avenue and 102 Street to 98 Street
Where smoking is prohibited by a public sign
In a place that is harmful to others
Within a 30 meter radius of:
- A public park, recreation facility or parade
- Where children are playing or congregating
- An outdoor special event, unless in an area specified by the event organizers as a cannabis consumption area
- The front entrance to a commercial movie theatre

By-law Officers, Peace Officers, and RCMP Officers may issue violation tickets with fines of up to $250.00 to those who do not adhere to the laws outlined by the Municipal, Provincial, or Federal Governments.

A Message from the Government of Alberta

Background

On April 13, 2017 the Government of Canada tabled the Cannabis Act, which subject to parliamentary approval, would legalize and regulate recreational cannabis in Canada. For more information visit Government of Canada: Legalization and Regulation of Cannabis

The Government of Alberta has subsequently established its own act and regulations (An Act to Control and Regulate Cannabis) in response to the federal cannabis framework. For more information visit Government of Alberta: Alberta Cannabis Framework and Legislation

As a result of both the federal and provincial cannabis acts, municipalities have been delegated a degree of responsibility in regard to cannabis. Municipalities have the authority to:
- Set greater separation distances than set out by the provincial regulations, or add additional buffer zones to best suit their communities' needs,
- Specify any separation distances between any two cannabis retail stores,
- Regulate store hours and,
- Regulate public consumption of cannabis within restrictions set by other orders of government.
In October 2017, the City Manager established a Cannabis Form and Fold Team (CFFT) to prepare the City of Grande Prairie for the upcoming legalization of recreational cannabis. The team consisted of representatives from Planning & Development, Community Social Development, Enforcement Services, Communications, Economic Development and the RCMP.
Citizen Engagement
A web based public opinion survey was available in March, 2018 on the City of Grande Prairie’s website and social media. A total of 1701 responses were received. The results are available to view here.
Municipal Regulation of Cannabis
City management has guided their approach to the proposed municipal regulation of cannabis based on achieving the following objective:
“To provide a reasonable opportunity for the production, sale and consumption of recreational cannabis so as to remove the negative affects of prohibition.”
Cannabis Retail Stores and Production Facilities
Land Use Bylaw Amendment (PDF, 4.3Mb)
Business License Bylaw Amendment (PDF, 0.1Mb)
Cannabis Consumption
Smoke Free Public Places Bylaw Amendment (PDF, 0.1Mb)
Personal Cultivation
Minimum Property Standards Bylaw Amendment (PDF, 0.1 Mb)

Cannabis

Cannabis

Cannabis - Know the Law in Grande Prairie

A Message from the Government of Alberta

Background

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