Lloydminster residents are getting ready for legalization day. Here is everything you need to know ahead of the historic day:
WHERE AND WHERE NOT TO SMOKE
The Government of Saskatchewan Cannabis Control Act can see a person fined from $200 to $2,250 for illegal use of cannabis. Fines include a $200 ticket for consuming cannabis in a public place, a $1,000 fine for consuming pot at school, school ground or child care facility and a $2,250 ticket for a cannabis shop that fails to ask for ID or sells cannabis to a minor.
Also, under provincial regulations, a person distributing more than 30 grams of dried cannabis in a public place can be subject to a $200 fine and a $750 ticket will be given to anyone selling or giving cannabis to a minor.
Each municipality across Alberta will have their own restrictions in place for Wednesday.
Lloydminster already has laws in place with their own fines attached. For example, smoking or vaping cannabis in a public place results in a $500 fine and consuming cannabis in a vehicle when a person under the age of 18 is present will be a $1000 ticket. These laws will begin to apply on October 17.
People will still be able to smoke pot on their personal property. Northview REIT had sent out a notice to all tenants that the use and growth of cannabis will be prohibited in all suites. Residents are able to use cannabis in other forms minus smoking. People living in apartments or condos will have to check with management before consuming the substance.
WHERE TO PURCHASE CANNABIS
No pot shops will be open on legalization day in Lloydminster. Out of 17 licenses issued in Alberta, none are in Lloydminster. Stores that have applied for a license, like Plant Life in Lloydminster, won’t be open until a later date.
On the Saskatchewan side of the city, two shops have won the permit lottery, Beleave Inc. and Kolab Project Inc., will be open within the next couple of months.
The closest stores to Lloydminster are in the Battlefords. In a press release Saturday, Envirosafe Chemicals Canada’s new Curativa Cannabis division says they were granted a permit for their North Battleford store and will be open on Wednesday. After acquiring North Battleford CannabisCo, Fire & Flower announced they will be opened on legalization day. In Battleford, Jimmy’s Cannabis Shop looks to have their doors open as well.