CANNABIS CONSUMPTION BYLAW AND SMOKING BYLAW€¦ · homes, apply for a cannabis-related business...
Transcript of CANNABIS CONSUMPTION BYLAW AND SMOKING BYLAW€¦ · homes, apply for a cannabis-related business...
September 2018
CANNABIS CONSUMPTION BYLAW
AND SMOKING BYLAW
Community Engagement Report
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Town of High River would like to acknowledge each individual who participated in our survey and
invested their time to provide thoughts and ideas on the public consumption of cannabis. Without
this, the Cannabis Bylaw being proposed to Council in the fall OF 2018 would simply contain
recommendations based on what other municipalities across Alberta and Canada are doing. Instead,
through our community engagement process, people who care for High River have a channel to
share their voice and be heard by their local government and other community members.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to provide us feedback through both our online and paper
survey, and for chatting with us at the information tables set up at various events throughout the
town. We are honoured to be stewards of your contributions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT .................................................................................................................................. 2
OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ......................................................................................................................... 4
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT ..................................................................................................................... 4
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT ...................................................................................................................... 4
THE TOWN OF HIGH RIVER ...................................................................................................................... 4
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: process and purpose ................................................................................... 5
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: participants .................................................................................................. 6
KNOW THE RULES ........................................................................................................................................ 6
CANNABIS LEGALIZATION: facts and fictions ............................................................................................. 6
FICTIONS ................................................................................................................................................... 6
FACTS ........................................................................................................................................................ 7
TIMELINE ...................................................................................................................................................... 8
ENGAGEMENT OVERVIEW: by the numbers ............................................................................................... 9
Question 1: Are you a resident of High River? ....................................................................................... 9
Question 2: Do you live in another municipality but work or own a business in High River? ........... 10
Question 3: Do you support the elimination of smoking (any smoked or vaporized products,
including tobacco, vape and other non-cannabis items) at sports fields, play grounds, the spray
park, the outdoor rink, bike and skate park, and other similar facilities? ......................................... 10
Question 4: Is smoking cannabis similar to the following? ................................................................. 11
Question 5: Should smoking cannabis be allowed in public spaces? ................................................ 11
Question 6: If smoking cannabis is allowed in public spaces, where should it be permitted? ........ 12
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 3
Question 7: If cannabis consumption is allowed in public spaces, should the smoking be set back
from doors, windows and air intakes: ................................................................................................... 13
Question 8: If smoking cannabis is not permitted in public spaces, do you think there should be an
exemption for medical use in public places? ....................................................................................... 13
Question 9: If medical users are permitted to smoke cannabis in the community, where should it
be permitted? ......................................................................................................................................... 14
SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................................... 17
DECISION POINTS and RECOMMENDATIONS .......................................................................................... 18
SMOKING BYLAW ................................................................................................................................... 18
CANNABIS CONSUMPTION BYLAW ....................................................................................................... 18
APPENDIX: the complete data ................................................................................................................... 19
Question 1: Are you a resident of High River? ..................................................................................... 20
Question 2: Do you live in another municipality but work or own a business in High River? ........... 21
Question 3: Do you support the elimination of smoking (any smoked or vaporized products,
including tobacco, vape and other non-cannabis items) at sports fields, play grounds, the spray
park, the outdoor rink, bike and skate park, and other similar facilities? ......................................... 22
Question 4: Is smoking cannabis similar to the following? ................................................................. 23
Question 5: Should smoking cannabis be allowed in public spaces? ................................................ 30
Question 6: If smoking cannabis is allowed in public spaces, where should it be permitted? ........ 33
Question 7: If cannabis consumption is allowed in public spaces, should the smoking be set back
from doors, windows and air intakes: ................................................................................................... 39
Question 8: If smoking cannabis is not permitted in public spaces, do you think there should be an
exemption for medical use in public places? ....................................................................................... 45
Question 9: If medical users are permitted to smoke cannabis in the community, where should it
be permitted? ......................................................................................................................................... 46
Question 10: The Federal Government is planning for legalization of other cannabis products in
2019, such as edibles and personal products. Do you think use of these products will be similar
to: ............................................................................................................................................................ 56
Question 11: Do you have any other ideas or comments about how the Town might regulate public
consumption of cannabis? .................................................................................................................... 62
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 4
OVERVIEW
The federal government has introduced legislation called the Cannabis Act which will legalize
cannabis in Canada. Provinces and territories must each decide how they will adapt to the
legislation. The current medical cannabis program will continue under the new Cannabis Act,
however recreational cannabis still remains illegal until the proposed Cannabis Act is brought into
force October 17, 2018.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
The Canadian government is
responsible for the overall national
legalization of recreational
cannabis. The Cannabis Act
creates a strict legal framework to
control the production,
distribution, sale and possession
of cannabis across Canada.
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
Once the process of federal
legalization began, provincial
governments were empowered to
enact further legislation or
delegate various control and
regulation responsibilities to
municipalities across their
province. Alberta has created a
framework and legislation that set
the stage for legal and responsible
use of cannabis by Albertans.
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT
Municipalities in Alberta are
empowered by the provincial
government to write and enforce
bylaws which address land use zoning for personal cultivation, businesses and clinics, as well as
business licensing and public cannabis consumption.
THE TOWN OF HIGH RIVER
After conducting public engagement early in 2018, the Town of High River passed amendments to
the Land Use Bylaw which would provide guidance for those who wish to cultivate cannabis in their
homes, apply for a cannabis-related business license or open a cannabis store or cannabis
counselling clinic in High River.
Over the summer of 2018, the Town conducted additional public engagement initiatives through a
survey and pop-up information tables throughout the town. The survey was available online and at
drop-boxes around town from August 3 through September 7, 2018.
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 5
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: process and purpose
Community engagement can take many forms. In the Town’s Community Engagement Policy, the
guiding principles of successful community engagement are: clear intention and proactive
communication, collaboration, inclusive participation, innovative and continuous improvement and
open evaluation of feedback. Based on the foundation of this policy, the Cannabis Consumption
Bylaw creation and Smoking Bylaw update engagement plan was created.
The purpose of community engagement regarding the creation of the Cannabis Consumption Bylaw
and updated Smoking Bylaw was to hear from the local population on their perspectives on how The
Town should treat smoking and cannabis consumption within the community. From there, a report
compiling all these perspectives would be taken to Council for consideration, as well as used in the
drafting of the new Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and the updated Smoking Bylaw.
This level of engagement ties in with the Consult arm of engagement, as shown above. The Consult
arm includes consulting the community to obtain feedback and ensure public input is considered.
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 6
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: participants
To gain a good understanding of how the community feels, we provided residents, economic drivers
and guests the opportunity to give us their input. As a result, we were able to compare the answers
from these three groups to make the best possible bylaw recommendations.
For the purposes of this report, residents are individuals who live in High River; economic drivers are
those who do not live in High River but work or own a business in town, and; guests are area
residents, visitors, and guests of the town who spend time in High River for a variety of reasons,
although they neither live nor are formally employed within the town.
KNOW THE RULES
Cannabis will be legal in Alberta on October 17, 2018, but:
• Only if you are 18+ years of age
• Only from licensed stores or https://albertacannabis.org/
• 30 grams is the most you can buy or carry at a time
• You can’t smoke in some public places – know your local laws
• Driving high is illegal
• It cannot be within reach of anyone in a vehicle
• Only four (4) plants can be grown per household
• Edibles are not yet legal to sell
• Kids can’t enter cannabis stores, even with an adult
Source: https://www.alberta.ca/cannabis-legalization.aspx
CANNABIS LEGALIZATION: facts and fictions
A number of common questions, topics and themes arose throughout the responses we received via
the survey or through conversations at the pop-up information tables. In this next section, we would
like to share these with you to help shed some light on the legislation around cannabis legalization.
FICTIONS
Fiction 1: If we do not create a cannabis consumption bylaw, people will not be allowed to consume
cannabis here. Actually, the opposite is true. If we do not write a bylaw to prohibit and/or allow
cannabis consumption in public spaces, based on federal and provincial legislation, it would be legal
to consume in public spaces on October 17, 2018.
Fiction 2: The Town can have designated consumption locations outside of town boundaries. The
Town has no jurisdictional authority outside its boundaries. Each municipality has been empowered
by the provincial government to establish their own bylaws for the public consumption of cannabis.
The town of High River shares boundaries with the MD of Foothills. To learn more about the bylaws
the MD has put into place, please visit mdfoothills.com.
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 7
Fiction 3: Smoking is not permitted in public. According to the Town of High River Smoking Bylaw,
smoking is permitted in public, however it is not allowed inside buildings except private residences,
with permission of the owner. Under the Tobacco Reduction Act (2008), smoking is not permitted
within five metres of doorways, windows, and air intakes. New changes to the Smoking Bylaw will
recommend prohibiting smoking on child and fitness related equipment and surfaces.
Fiction 4: All types of cannabis and cannabis products are the same. This is false, on two fronts.
Firstly, there are many strains of cannabis plants, just as there are many varieties of apples in the
grocery store, and each strain of cannabis plants have different chemical constituents. Secondly,
different cannabis products (the plant, oils, edibles, pills, and other items) have different potency,
which can mean that each individual responds differently to the type of product and method of
consumption.
Fiction 5: Anyone who uses cannabis medicinally will be in favour of its public consumption.
According to our survey responses, not necessarily. There is a lot of stigma and judgement that can
be directed at individuals who use cannabis medically. Feedback has indicated that these individuals
prefer to take their medicine in private to avoid that stigma.
Fiction 6: Parking lots are public property. If the parking lot is attached to a private business, that
parking lot is likely owned by that business and is private property.
FACTS
Fact 1: Bias exists. The purpose of engagement is to ensure that all voices are heard and considered
when making decisions. It’s about inviting and initiating conversations that can influence decision
making. While the Town is guided by both federal and provincial legislation, the thoughts and
opinions of residents are important in developing policies and making decisions that matter to them.
Through engagement, the Town has the opportunity to balance the needs and wants of its residents
with these provincial and federal obligations.
Fact 2: Cannabis store locations. The Town receives business license applications and planning
requests daily for businesses to set up shop in High River. If the application is complete, lawful, and
correct, it makes its way through the process that is set out by the Town as per the Land Use Bylaw.
Fact 3: Medicinal cannabis is already in use. The medical use of cannabis has been studied for
decades, and although people do claim it has helped them, there has been no definitive research on
how safe it is or how well it works.
Fact 4: Public consumption of alcohol is prohibited. Open alcohol in any public space, such as picnic
areas in a park, is against the law.
Fact 5: Public intoxication of any kind is also against the law. This includes intoxication from alcohol,
cannabis, or any other substance.
Fact 6: Private property and bylaws. Local bylaws are not able to override federal legislation. This
means that because cannabis consumption is planned to be federally legalized on private property
on October 17, 2019, a local bylaw cannot prevent someone from consuming cannabis in their
house or yard.
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 8
Fact 7: Cannabis in cars. When being transported, federal legislation states that cannabis should not
be within reach of anyone in the vehicle. Consumption of cannabis inside a vehicle is also prohibited.
As a result, an individual’s vehicle will not be permitted as a designated area for consumption.
Fact 8: Edibles and personal products: production and sale. While the legislation that will legalize
cannabis for sale and recreational use is set to be in force October 17, 2018, legislation governing
the commercial production and sale of edible and personal products is anticipated in mid-2019.
TIMELINE Below is a timeline that captures some of the milestones that have been met over the past two years
in preparation for the legalization of cannabis, as well as the government body responsible for each
milestone.
The federal government is working on legislation that would make production and sale of cannabis-
infused edible and personal products legal. Currently, this legislation is scheduled for roll-out in
summer 2019.
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 9
ENGAGEMENT OVERVIEW: by the numbers
1244 Total Survey Responses
Complete Responses: 1178
___________________________________________________________________________________
Question 1: Are you a resident of High River?
Answered: 1244 Skipped: 0
PURPOSE: The purpose of Question 1 was to
understand who was answering the survey –
residents of High River or non-residents. It was
important to know this information in order to
establish whether a difference of opinion or
answer provided could be the result of their
interest in High River.
DEFINITIONS: For the purposes of this report
residents are individuals who live in High River.
Non-residents refers to; those who do not live in
High River but work or own a business in the town
(economic drivers) or guests, who are area
residents, visitors or guests to the town that spend
time in High River for a variety of reasons, although they neither live nor are formally employed within
the town.
FINDINGS: Approximately 88 per cent of respondents were High River residents.
1093
151
Yes No
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 10
Question 2: Do you live in another municipality but work or own a business in
High River?
Answered: 1244 Skipped: 0
PURPOSE: The purpose of Question 2 was to
further understand the non-residents participants
filling out the survey. When answers for questions
1 and 2 were compared, we were able to
differentiate a little more clearly between
residents, economic drivers, and guests (see
definitions under Question 1).
FINDINGS: Approximately 6.1 per cent of
respondents were economic drivers and 5.9 per
cent were guests.
Question 3: Do you support the elimination of smoking (any smoked or
vaporized products, including tobacco, vape and other non-cannabis items) at
sports fields, play grounds, the spray park, the outdoor rink, bike and skate
park, and other similar facilities?
Answered: 1242 Skipped: 2
PURPOSE: The purpose of Question 3 was to
understand perspectives regarding smoking within
child and fitness-focused public spaces. The
Town’s current Smoking Bylaw prohibits smoking
in workplaces and public places such as
restaurants and patios but does not prohibit
smoking in child and fitness-focused public
spaces.
LEGISLATION: The Tobacco and Smoking
Reduction Act came into force in 2008 and
updates to the Act over the last ten years have
further restricted where smoking may occur. The
Act prohibits smoking in public places and workplaces. In 2013, the Act was amended to prohibit
smoking in a vehicle in which a minor is present. In recent years, various municipalities have begun
to prohibit smoking on or within five metres of sports fields and other child and fitness-focused
public spaces.
FINDINGS: Approximately 81 per cent of respondents were in favour of eliminating smoking at child
and fitness-focused public spaces such as playgrounds, sport fields, the spray park and the bike and
skate parks.
105
1139
Yes No
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1009
233
Yes No
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 11
Question 4: Is smoking cannabis similar to the following?
Answered: 1,238 Skipped: 6
PURPOSE: The purpose of Question 4 was to
understand perceptions of cannabis in comparison
to other substances. If participants widely viewed
cannabis to be similar to another substance for
which regulations already exist, recommendations
for the new Cannabis Consumption bylaw could be
drafted to be in line with existing regulations for
similar substances.
FINDINGS: Approximately 41 per cent likened
cannabis consumption to consuming alcohol while
30 per cent thought it was more like smoking
tobacco. Approximately 6 per cent of participants
were unsure while 24 per cent wrote their own
answer under the “other” option.
Of the 24 per cent of respondents who answered “other” for this question, 41 per cent thought
cannabis was similar to both tobacco and alcohol, 23 per cent thought it was different from all
options given, 18 per cent thought it was worse, 6 per cent thought of cannabis as medication, and
12 per cent shared other opinions. All verbatim responses are provided in the Appendix.
Question 5: Should smoking cannabis be allowed in public spaces?
Answered: 1,238 Skipped: 6
PURPOSE: The purpose of Question 5 was to
understand broad community perspectives on
cannabis consumption in public spaces.
FINDINGS: Approximately 69 per cent answered in
favour of banning cannabis consumption in public
spaces. Nearly 19.8 per cent were in favour of
cannabis consumption in public spaces and 4.5
per cent were unsure. Approximately 6.7 per cent
answered “other”. There were a variety of
responses given; some suggested banning
smoking of all kinds, some explained personal
medicinal benefits of cannabis, but 80 per cent (or
5.4 per cent of total responses) suggested
designated areas for cannabis consumption, such as lounges or similar locations as for alcohol
consumption, designated outdoor areas, or designated smoking areas, with over half in favour of
those designated areas following parameters set out in the Smoking Bylaw.
368
504
73
293
smokingtobacco
consumingalcohol
unsure Other(pleasespecify)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
245
854
56 83
Yes No Unsure Other(pleasespecify)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 12
LEGISLATION: Once federal legislation is in place for the production and sale of edible cannabis
products in mid-2019, the government of Alberta plans to draft provincial legislation that would
govern cannabis lounges.
Question 6: If smoking cannabis is allowed in public spaces, where should it
be permitted?
Answered: 1,238
Skipped: 6
PURPOSE: The purpose of
Question 6 was to
understand respondents’
views on potential spaces
where public consumption
of cannabis might be
permitted. Respondents
were able to choose more
than one response to this
question, so the total
number of answers adds up
to more than the number of
people who responded to
the survey. While the total
number of respondents for
this question was 1,238,
the number of answers
given totals 1,936.
FINDINGS: Approximately
53.5 per cent of respondents were not in favour of any public consumption and nearly 19.8 per cent
used the “other” option to share their ideas. If permitted in public spaces, between 16 per cent and
22 per cent of respondents marked streets, sidewalks, pathways and parks as places where
cannabis might be consumed. Six per cent of respondents were unsure where cannabis
consumption should be allowed in public spaces.
Of the 20 per cent who answered with the “other” option, 40 per cent of those were not in favour of
any public consumption, while 43 per cent of those were in favour of designated areas for
consumption citing consistency with the Smoking Bylaw or designated locations such as what
currently exists for alcohol consumption. It should be noted that under the “other” category, many
had a different interpretation of what it means to consider public cannabis consumption similar to
alcohol. For instance, comments about treating cannabis like alcohol ranged from consuming
cannabis discretely to designating consumption areas to not permitting it in public at all. Additionally,
9 per cent of respondents in the “other” category were in favour of public consumption, but with
consideration and respect for those around the consumer, especially mindful to not consume near
children.
254280
215 205
74
663
245
Parks (forexample,George
Lane Park,naturalized
riverareas)
Pathways(for
example,happy
trails andpaved
pathwaysnear parks,the river,and storm
ponds)
Sidewalks(for
example,the
municipalsidewalkthat runsadjacentto roads)
Streets(for
example,roads intown)
Unsure Not inpublic
Other(pleasespecify)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 13
Question 7: If cannabis consumption is allowed in public spaces, should the
smoking be set back from doors, windows and air intakes:
Answered: 1,216 Skipped: 28
PURPOSE: The purpose of Question 7 was to
understand respondents’ views of setbacks for
smoking outside of public places if public
consumption of cannabis was permitted. The
Tobacco and Smoking Reduction Act requires
anyone who is smoking to be at least five metres
or more from doorways, windows, and air intakes
of any public place, such as a workplace,
restaurant, or public facility.
FINDINGS: Of those who answered the question,
42 per cent selected the same distance as
tobacco (five metres), while 35 per cent selected
10 metres as the preferred distance. The 23 per
cent who chose to answer “other” gave a range of answers, with 60 per cent of those not wanting
any public consumption and 28 per cent wanting the setbacks to be further, giving distances from
15 metres to three miles.
Question 8: If smoking cannabis is not permitted in public spaces, do you
think there should be an exemption for medical use in public places?
Answered: 1,223 Skipped: 21
PURPOSE: The purpose of Question 8 was to
understand respondents’ perspectives about
providing an exemption for medical consumption
of cannabis in public.
FINDINGS: Approximately 68 per cent did not think
that those with a prescription should be able to
consume cannabis in public spaces, and 32 per
cent were in favour of providing an exemption for
medical consumption.
514
427
275
the samedistance as for
tobacco andvaping
products (5metres)
10 metres Other (pleasespecify)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
393
830
Yes No
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 14
Question 9: If medical users are permitted to smoke cannabis in the
community, where should it be permitted?
Answered: 1,215 Skipped: 29
PURPOSE: The purpose of Question 9 was to
understand where medical cannabis users might
be permitted to consume their prescription.
Answer to this question were interpreted both on
their own and in conjunction with answers to
Question 8.
FINDINGS: In response to this question,
approximately 51 per cent of respondents
answered that a medical exemption could be
utilized in conjunction with the Smoking Bylaw;
however, this would only be applicable if cannabis
consumption was prohibited in public and a
medical exemption was granted for public
consumption. Approximately 18 per cent selected designated areas and 31 per cent answered
“other”.
COMBINED FINDINGS: Respondents who answered “Yes” to Question 8 provided further clarification
to their answer in Question 9. Of those who answered, 72 per cent were in favour of a medical
exemption that would follow the Smoking Bylaw, while 14.5 per cent were in favour of designated
spaces and 13.5 per cent gave a response under “other”.
Respondents who answered “No” to Question 8 answered Question 9 with 42 per cent in favour of a
medical exemption that would follow the Smoking Bylaw, 19 per cent selected designated areas for
medical use, and 39 per cent provided longer answers in the “other” section.
Of those who selected “other” for Question 9, only 15 per cent were in favour of an exemption for
medical use and 85 per cent were not. Furthermore, within the “other” option, 10 per cent gave
advice as to alternatives for smoking cannabis for medical purposes. Of the “other” responses,
57per cent were not in favour of any cannabis consumption in public spaces, 22 per cent were in
favour of a medical exemption for cannabis consumption in designated locations only and 5 per cent
were in favour of a medical exemption for cannabis consumption that would follow the current
Smoking Bylaw.
Please note that it is not the intention of this report to prescribe how any medication should be
taken, including medical cannabis. The desire for designated areas ranged from being regulated
similarly to an establishment that serves alcohol or near medical facilities to being in outdoor areas
away from children.
217
625
373
only indesignated
areas (pleasesuggest ideasin the "other"
box below)
in alignmentwith thesmoking
bylaw
Other (pleasespecify)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 15
Question 10: The Federal Government is planning for legalization of other
cannabis products in 2019, such as edibles and personal products. Do you
think use of these products will be
similar to:
Answered: 1,227 Skipped: 17
PURPOSE: The purpose of Question 10 was to
understand current perspectives and perceptions
of non-smoked cannabis consumption.
LEGISLATION: Legislation for the production and
sale of non-smoked cannabis products is planned
for mid-2019, at which time the Town will need to
review its cannabis consumption bylaw and make
any required amendments.
FINDINGS: Of those that responded, edible and
personal products were most widely likened to
alcohol consumption, with 51.7 per cent of respondents choosing that alternative. Smoking tobacco
was selected by 10.7 per cent while 16.9 per cent were unsure. “Other” was chosen by 20.7 per
cent and the answers within this option were varied; 31 per cent stated that cannabis was entirely
different than either tobacco or alcohol, 18 per cent stated that cannabis was similar to both
tobacco and alcohol, and 13 per cent stated that cannabis was worse than tobacco or alcohol. An
additional 12 per cent argued that non-smoked cannabis was most similar to medication and 5 per
cent argued that non-smoked cannabis had similar effects to smoked cannabis or that it was less
harmful than tobacco or alcohol.
Question 11: Do you have any other ideas or comments about how the Town
might regulate public consumption of cannabis?
Answered: 549 Skipped: 695
PURPOSE: The purpose of Question 11 was to provide an
opportunity for participants to share any additional, lingering
thoughts that had not yet been covered in the previous 10
questions.
FINDINGS: Approximately 45 per cent of respondents provided
responses to this question. Answers ranged from one word to
paragraphs and covered many topics. Following is a generalized
synopsis of responses; all answers given can be found in the
Appendix.
SUMMARY OF COMMENTS:
NOT IN PUBLIC included those generally or intensely opposed to
public consumption. In some responses, concern for CHILDREN
131
635
207254
smokingtobacco
consumingalcohol
unsure Other(pleasespecify)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
TOTAL 549
Not in public 173 32%
Other 84 15%
Alcohol 60 11%
Designated 54 10%
Tobacco 40 7%
No / N/A 30 5%
Stores 28 5%
Enforcement 25 5%
MEDICAL 17 3%
Children 17 3%
Allow 12 2%
Education 9 2%
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 16
being close to cannabis or consumption in public arose in conjunction with a desire for public
consumption to be prohibited or consumption to be permitted only in designated areas.
DESIGNATED included suggestions to provide designated areas, either indoor spaces such as cafés
or lounges or outdoor spaces that are clearly marked as designated cannabis consumption areas.
The sub-category of ALCOHOL includes suggestions to align public cannabis consumption with public
alcohol consumption, which is prohibited.
ALLOW included comments generally in favour of allowing public consumption throughout the town.
The sub-category of TOBACCO included suggestions to align public cannabis consumption with the
current Smoking Bylaw.
EDUCATION included suggestions for public education regarding cannabis generally and clear
communication regarding designated areas or prohibition of public consumption, among many
others. ENFORCEMENT included concern for the bylaw to be enforced and encouragement for Peace
Officers to have a more visible presence once cannabis is legalized.
OTHER included humor, wishes of good luck to those enforcing the bylaws, advice on how the survey
could have been written differently and regret for federal cannabis legalization.
STORES included questions or statements regarding store locations, number of stores and the Town
allowing cannabis stores to open in High River.
MEDICAL included comments on the medical benefits of cannabis and advice to provide spaces for
those who use cannabis medically without the stigma and prejudices they currently experience.
All verbatim responses are included in the Appendix.
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 17
SUMMARY
The findings of the engagement process were very informative and show several key opinions of
respondents quite clearly.
Overall:
• 81 per cent were in favour of eliminating smoking at child and fitness-focused public
facilities.
• 69 per cent did not want to see cannabis consumption in public spaces.
If cannabis consumption was permitted in public spaces:
• The results were mixed when asked where that consumption might occur:
o 53.5 per cent selected “not in public” and an additional 8 per cent shared the same
sentiment in the “other” answer option.
o 16 to 22 per cent selected roads, sidewalks, parks, and pathways as suitable
alternatives for public consumption.
• Consensus on setbacks from doors and windows was somewhat balanced between staying
in line with the current 5m setback (42 per cent) or increasing that setback to 10m (35 per
cent).
If cannabis consumption was not permitted in public spaces:
• 68 per cent were not in favour of granting an exemption for medical cannabis consumers.
If cannabis consumption was not permitted in public spaces but a medical exemption was granted
for those who have medical documentation:
• 51 per cent were in favour of a medical exemption following the Smoking Bylaw.
• Combined answers from the first option and the “other” option, 25 per cent were in favour of
those with a medical exemption utilizing designated areas for public consumption.
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 18
DECISION POINTS and RECOMMENDATIONS
The recommendations that will be taken to Council for consideration and decision are as follows:
SMOKING BYLAW
DECISION POINT: consider prohibition of smoking for child and fitness-focused public spaces
RECOMMENDATION: prohibit smoking in child and fitness focused public spaces.
CANNABIS CONSUMPTION BYLAW
DECISION POINT: consider public consumption of cannabis
RECOMMENDATION: prohibit public consumption of cannabis
ALTERNATIVE: provide an alternative to return to Council in the near future with
recommendations for potential designated consumption areas
DECISION POINT: consider an exemption for public consumption of medical cannabis
RECOMMENDATION: provide an exemption for public consumption of medical cannabis
ALTERNATIVE: provide an alternative to return to Council in the near future with
recommendations for potential designated consumption areas
THANK YOU for sharing with us!
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 19
APPENDIX: the complete data
The data contained within the Appendix compares various parameters within the data sets. Within
the following pages, we compare paper survey responses to surveys completed online as well as the
answers from residents, economic drivers, and guests. Residents are individuals who live in High
River, while economic drivers are those who do not live in High River but work or own a business in
the town. Guests are area residents, visitors, and guests of the town who spend time in High River
for a variety of reasons, although they neither live in nor are formally employed within the town.
Each question is followed by a visual breakdown of how participants responded, including the total
and answers given online and on paper surveys. Responses are also visually broken down to show
answers based on whether the individual self-identified as a resident, economic driver, or guest. The
numbers on these charts are in a very small font as the primary purpose of the chart is to give a
visual understanding of the consistency of answer between different methods of data collection and
participant. If you would like a copy of large format charts, please submit a Freedom of Information
and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) request.
Throughout the Appendix, answers written in the other (please specify) response category for each
question are included verbatim to what was provided by participants. These comments have been
inserted exactly as they were received and have not be altered by the Town of High River, with the
exception of several redactions for which words were removed for potentially offensive language and
to maintain individual privacy. In these cases, the word [REDACTED] will appear in place of the
removed content.
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 20
Question 1: Are you a resident of High River?
Answered: 1,244 Skipped: 0
Total Online Paper
Resident Economic Driver Guest
Q1: Are you a resident of High River?
Answered: 1,244 Skipped: 0
Answer Choices Responses per cent Responses #
Yes 87.86per cent 1,093
No 12.14per cent 151
TOTAL 1,244
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 21
Question 2: Do you live in another municipality but work or own a business in
High River?
Answered: 1,244 Skipped: 0
Total Online Paper
Resident Economic Driver Guest
Q2: Do you live in another municipality but work or own a business in High River?
Answered: 1,244 Skipped: 0
Answer Choices Responses per cent Responses #
Yes 8.44per cent 105
No 91.56per cent 1,139
TOTAL 1,244
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 22
Question 3: Do you support the elimination of smoking (any smoked or
vaporized products, including tobacco, vape and other non-cannabis items) at
sports fields, play grounds, the spray park, the outdoor rink, bike and skate
park, and other similar facilities?
Answered: 1,244 Skipped: 2
Total Online Paper
Resident Economic Driver Guest
Q3: Do you support elimination of smoking (any smoked or vapourized products, including
tobacco, vape, and other non-cannabis items) at sports fields, play grounds, the spray park, the
outdoor rink, bike and skate park, and other similar facilities?
Answered: 1,242 Skipped: 2
Answer Choices Responses per cent Responses #
Yes 81.24per cent 1,009
No 18.76per cent 233
TOTAL 1,242
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 23
Question 4: Is smoking cannabis similar to the following?
Answered: 1,238 Skipped: 6
1. Smoking tobacco
2. Consuming alcohol
3. Unsure
4. Other (please specify)
Total Online Paper
Resident Economic Driver Guest
Q4: Is smoking cannabis similar to the following?
Answered: 1,238 Skipped: 6
Answer Choices Responses per cent Responses #
Smoking tobacco 29.73per cent 368
Consuming alcohol 40.71per cent 504
Unsure 5.90per cent 73
Other (please specify) 23.67per cent 293
TOTAL 1,238
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 24
Other (please specify)
*NOTE: where the answer “both alcohol and tobacco” are written below, they were both selected
on paper copies of the survey as this option was not possible on the online survey unless noted
under the answer “other”.
• consuming alcohol; worse when also
using alcohol
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• it is not similar
• both alcohol and tobacco
• it's worse than tobacco or alcohol in
that smoking not only affects you but
me as well.
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• is a different product and should be
treated as such
• odd question, could only chose one
and should be yes or no question
• Smoke and alcohol
• odor emitted is far worse than tobacco
• we wanted smoking tobacco and
consuming alcohol- both can be
additive and harmful to your health
• Both tobacco and alcohol
• no similarities
• Not related. This is 100per cent
Natural, unlike cigarettes. No one has
died from cannabis overdose
• Both tobacco for the smoke and
alcohol for the high
• anti stress, medical, appetite stimulant
• No it is not similar
• It is a drug so should not be legal
• I view smoking cannabis as similar to
both smoking tobacco & drinking
alcohol
• It is a mix of smoking tobacco (odour)
and consuming alcohol (impairment)
• taking prescription drugs
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• None of the above
• much more potent than both alcohol +
tobacco
• A combination, it is a drug with definite
drug related effects
• Smoking cannabis has similar
elements and detrimenal effects to
both tobacco and alcohol consumption
• Invasive
• More potent than tobacco because of
THC content
• Taking prescribed medications
• BOTH SMOKING TOBACCO AND
CONSUMING ACOHOL
• No it is not similar to any of the above.
• It’s worse as it impairs judgment and
poses greater health risks to those
that are forced to smell second hand
smoke
• Cannabis is not as harmful as either
tobacco or alcohol.
• Both smoking tobacco and consuming
alcohol
• All same. All additive and terrible for
society and humans.
• NO!! Why would you smoke what starts
most drug addicts on thee road to ruin
• It is more dangerous than smoking
tobacco, second hand smoke is more
offensive than second hand tobacco
smoke
• both smoking tobacco and consuming
alcohol
• It is medicine for me.
• Worse than all of them because of the
smell
• No, more harmful and there will be an
initial increase in use
• Anything that can affect others as well.
• Similar to neither.
• BOTH A and B
• No. It’s more like medicine
• Similar to smoking a weed.....rotten
smell!!
• No it’s a smoke on its own catagory
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 25
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• tobacco, alcohol, everyone is different
/ unknown
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• tobacco, alcohol, television, sugar
• both alcohol and tobacco
• smoking tobacco / taking sleeping
medication
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and drug
• both alcohol and tobacco
• N/A
• drugs
• both alcohol and tobacco
• tobacco, alcohol, and taking
prescription medication
• both alcohol and drug
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• tobacco, alcohol, and drugs
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• tobacco, alcohol, and for some people
as bad as coke
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and drug
• N/A
• Both smoking and consuming alcohol
• both A & B
• both smoking tobacco and consuming
alcohol
• None of the above. The smell is far
more powerful and the effects on brain
chemistry more profound than the
others.
• Neither. It is not nearly as dangerous
as alcohol or tobacco.
• Combination of the first two
• It is a drug, and worst of it, it smell like
a skunk.
• No, it is not.
• I feel it’s a drug and shouldn’t be used
in public. I nor my family need to see or
smell this. As fast as I concerned it’s a
illegal drug...
• It’s a combination, smell, health
concerns, behaviour midification
• It’s its own thing.
• It is a drug. It makes people feel and
act differently when under it’s
influence, if myself or my children can
inhale the smoke from someone else
smoking it, it is very unhealthy for us. It
is worse than cigarettes or tobacco
• It has not been documented that
cannabis has same ill health effects as
smoking tombacco or consuming
alcohol. It might even be suggested
that the previous two are more harmful
than smoking cannabis
• No.. Different entirely
• completely different than tobacco or
alcohol
• It is similar to using other drugs which
are all currently illegal.
• Both.. Alcohol due to the impairment
factor and tobacco due to the 2nd
hand smoke
• It is different than both as none of the
above can get someone impaired by
being around it
• not similar to any of the above, it is in
a class of its own
• apparently has some health benefits
or medicinal purpose
• Both Tobacco and Alcohol
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 26
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• It's its own plant
• both alcohol and tobacco
• worse than tobacco and alcohol
• No it doesn't have the toxins
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• both alcohol and tobacco
• combination of smoking and drinking
• Therapeutic
• worse than smoking tobacco
• no
• Both tobacco and alcohol. Inebriation
of alcohol and slightly better health
than tobacco.
• both smoking tobacco and consuming
alcohol
• Its non harmful tho the odor is
offensive to some
• smoking tobacco and consuming
alcohol
• Not the same. It's more of a drug
• This question is way too vague. Similar
in what ways? This plays to potentially
erroneous preconceptions.
• not at all
• worse than tobacco
• no
• it is worse than alcohol
• different reaction to body & can affect
others in surrounding area
• any smoke is harmful to lungs
• worse fumes and addictive
• No, second hand smoke can cause
impairment
• N/A
• No
• does not cause violence causes
relaxation, only about 7per cent get
addicted
• drug addiction
• cannabis smoke is really smelly, much
worse then tobacco smoke
• Worse
• None of the above
• Similar to smoking tobacco but also
additional concerns with secondhand
smoke. In the oil fields people are
randomly tested for marijuana and
secondhand smoke can lead to false
positives. Use should be limited to
private residences. Dogs have also
been recently poisoned by marijuana,
possibly from someone leaving butts
behind.
• It is a product that produces NO I'll
effects, as far as second hand smoke
or Vape, to other people, the
smoke/Vape residue does not contain
cancer causing chemicals, that the
reason cigarettes are so controlled, as
to use, cannabis is a medicine for the
majority, why worry about second
hand smoke if it HEALTHY FOR YOU,
you most centanly NEVER get high
from second hand smoke, so wats the
prob, and behavior wise, you would
never even know they smoked
anything if you did not see it, un like
alcohol and the personality changes it
brings after just a couple drinks,... No
comparison, not even close...
• Depends on the TCH level. A joint
found on the ground will kill a pet if
they eat it.
• Consuming alcohol and smoking
tobacco, a person should be able to
make more than one selection
• I put it under the same category as
smoking Tabasco and consuming
alcohol
• No
• I think it is the same as both smoking
tobacco and consuming alcohol
• A mix of smoking tobacco and
consuming alcohol
• Smoking produces odor that carries.
You need to include edible pot as well.
A place such as the water park or
playground should not be a place
intoxicated people are.
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 27
• same but does not have the Jekkell &
Hyde symptoms
• N/A
• N/A
• Medicine
• N/A
• No
• similar to both except for medical use
• To me it is worse than smoking
cigarettes because inhaling it can
make you high & impair ability to do
regular things, whereas smoking
tobacco does not impair you. It is
closer to being similar to drinking than
smoking cigarettes.
• No, personally I think the outcome is
different than alcohol and healthier
than tobacco
• Both smoking tobacco and using
alcohol
• Neither
• Both smoking tobacco and consuming
alcohol
• Smoking pot is nothing like any of your
options.
• A combination of the two
• I dont belive that cannabis is similar to
tabacco or alchol because when used
in the right way it can really help and
change someones life. Yes with all 3
you have to be in moderation but
tobacco and alcohol does not help
people.
• None of the above
• N/A
• More addicting
• More harmful
• If you are vaping then. there'll not be
any smoke or door. to annoy those
who are not as would be in smoking
the actual flowers So I would see. that
as more similar to alcohol
consumption. and likely with a less
rowdy crowd than. often accompanies
alcohol use!
• so much worse when wind chgs
direction & can't control coming into
suite esp. as VERY SENSITIVE to ANY
smoke/scents/ Peppers in micro...etc.
NO control & WORSE when COOKING/
• Depending on where and when
• Its a gateway drug that leads to other
drugs and take people down a bad
path
• Still know what your doing when high.
So no its not similar
• Better than both.
• Both smoking tabacco and consuming
alcohol
• no cannabis is much safer
• No, its a drug, used to get stoned. Not
social. Prescribed cannabinoids should
be smoked at home
• No
• It is like smoking tobacco and drinking
alcohol combined!
• NO! It is a prescripton that I require to
keep me alive
• It is unlike either. No should be an
option on this survey. Both alcohol
and tobacco are known to cause
cancer, cannabis does not.
• Smoking cannabis is unlike consuming
alcohol or tobacco because there has
been no medical documentation of
cannabis being associated with cancer
and no medical documentation of
cannabis having adverse effects on
the liver. The effects of smoking
cannabis depend greatly on the strain
being used and its THC and CBD
concentrations.
• None of the above
• neither - more like taking medication
• Both tobacco and alcohol
• Less harmful than alcohol or tobacco.
• Both. It ressembles smoking tobacco
because of the second hand smoke
and the smell and it ressembles
alcohol in that it can be social drug.
• No
• Like nothing else.
• Cannabis is my medication I need to
consume it every 2 hours if not more
putting restrictions on it would prevent
me from literally leaving my house
• Does the same effects,not safe
• not similar at all different effects
• It’s a herb,not poison
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 28
Smoking..report: test down of person
just being in PRESENCE of others
..TESTED POSITIVE tho NOT
Participant! WAY TOO LITTLE
Time...YEARS for DRUGS Studies/ Side
effects etc. Yet look what happened to
THALIDAMINE & of late SHINGLES
from RECEIVING Vaccination...YEARS
ago! I'm awaiting possible move to Hi
R. ..VERY CONCERNED ..inc
• I believe it is like smoking tobacco AND
and like consuming alcohol
• tobacco and alcohol
• drugs
• it stinks
• it is a drug, so it affects the brain
• both
• Cannabis is a drug
• smoking or drinking alcohol - there is a
time and a place for everything just do
we need to have to tolerate it
everywhere
• Cannabis is addictive and long term
use has a detrimental effect on the
brain.
• Worse
• Horrible odor, addictive leading to
other drug use
• Smoking cannabis is like smoking
tobacco, in that it
pollutes/contaminates the airspace for
many meters around the "user" AND it
intoxicates the "User" and bystanders
who are forced to breath in the
contaminated air if they are in close
proximity of the "User".
• Not enough studies as of yet to
conclusively show effects of second
hand cannabis smoke. Most similar to
smoking tobacco in the sense that one
is not only harming him/herself, but all
those around the second hand smoke.
• consuming alcohol, doing drugs of any
type
• Both smoking tobacco and consuming
alcohol
• Both smoking tobacco and consuming
alcohol
• Safer than Consuming alcohol. Less
addictive than smoking cigarettes.
• A mix of tobacco and alcohol
• Like drinking coffee
• all of the above
• none of the above
• Not even close, weed is god comparing
to liquor and smokes
• Similar in the sense smoking is
smoking nowhere even remotely close
to alcohol
• Both smoking & drinking
• No
• no
• Depends for the reasons used...is it
medicinal or used as a way to be high?
• medicinal effects not just recreational
• It will be a controlled substance and
therefore should be treated as such.
There are rules and legislation for
alcohol and tobacco consumption,
there should be the same for cannabis
• Smoking cannabis is unique.
• Worse because the smoking of it not
only makes you high by me and my
children as well. It’s effects are
broader than liquor and smoking.
• Ingesting medicine
• Similar to tobacco (2nd hand smoke)
similar to alcohol (impairment)
so...2nd hand impairment of children
etc possible?
• None of the above. Cannabis has its
own effects.
• No, it is in a class of it's own.
• Cannabis is not similar to anything, it
effects everyone differently.
• No
• Similar to smoking and alcohol
• It is similar to smoking tobacco in
relation to health issues and offensive
to others but similar to alcohol as it
impairs physical and mental
judgement, etc
• Drug
• It is the same as all other addictive
habits and causes those who consume
it to infringe on the public space of
those who choose to not consume.
• It's entirely different.
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 29
• None of the above
• No
• A combination of smoking tobacco
(offensive smell), alcohol (intoxicating
effects) and pharmaceutical
• It's a mix of both smoking tobacco and
consuming alcohol, as it is smoked like
tobacco, yet is intoxicating like alcohol.
• aspects of both
• Both tobacco And alcohol
• It is consuming to get a toxicifcation or
high
• Both tobacco and alcohol
• other illegal drug use
• Not related at all, non cancer causing,
unlike alcohol and tobacco. This
question is also set up in a terrible way
• Worse than the above
• It's not like any of them it's just a
sense of calm
• Is not similar. Does not harm self or
others. Does not increase risks.
• Both Tabasco and alcohol rules should
be intergrated for cannabis use
• it's similar to both smailing tobacco
and consuming alcohol
• Neither.
• Similar to mushrooms and other illegal
drugs
• Both smoking tobacco and drinking
alcohol
• It's a lot worse smells very bad should
not have to smell it
• Tobacco and alcohol are purely
recreational, cannabis has recreation
and medical purposes.
• No unlike the others it's not in any way
harmful. Proven by science
• No it’s not
• its help with pain
• No.
• It’s worse than cigarette smoking
• it is a harmful drug that should not be
exposed to non users at all
• Unacceptable
• None of the above
• No
• Its similar to cosuming alchol just less
intoxitcating
• Both smoking tobacco and consuming
alcohol, at least when people consume
alcohol there isn’t such a thing as
second hand alcohol like there is with
smoking
• Toxic Hazardous waste
• Totally diffrent
• Pain management
• Both smoking tobacco and drinking
• no
• both combined
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 30
Question 5: Should smoking cannabis be allowed in public spaces?
Answered: 1,238 Skipped: 6
1. Yes
2. No
3. Unsure
4. Other (please specify)
Total Online Paper
Resident Economic Driver Guest
Q5: Should smoking cannabis be allowed in public spaces?
Answered: 1,238 Skipped: 6
Answer Choices Responses per cent Responses #
Yes 19.79per cent 245
No 68.98per cent 854
Unsure 4.52per cent 56
Other (please specify) 6.70per cent 83
TOTAL 1,244
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 31
Other (please specify)
• No place
• Yes/No No kid areas parks
• I don’t think any smoking of any kind
should be allowed anymore
• as should alcohol
• where smoking is allowed but not in
public gathering spaces ie parks, rinks,
school, hospitals, etc
• Use the same rule as with tobacco.
• Designated zones
• Depends on the location
• Green spaces
• For adult events with permits
• on patios / bars outside
• designated areas only
• in line with smoking bylaw
• Only in designated spaces or
businesses
• unsure / limited -> designated areas
• Same places that you can consume
alcohol
• only where smoking is
• same rules as alcohol
• where children are not
• specified locations
• not in front of stores
• Designated smoking areas
• Dedicated smoking areas
• There should be smoking areas
otherwise no. I don't want to inhale
other people's toxic fumes
• yes but maybe clarity on a few not
included
• in designated smoking areas
• Only when medical, with proof
• like tobacco
• Regulated
• yes for discreet medical use
• Not near places with children in
proximity, such as parks and schools.
• Depending on the place absolutely it
should be okay to smoke in public.As
long as people are respecting other
people space then it should be fine.
• specific spaces as I think booze
• For the time being I would say no. only
because I think that will further
inflame those who are opposed until
• maybe designated spaces
• Only if smoking of any kind is banned
• If smoking cigarettes is allowed then
yes
• It should be allowed in places where
children do not usually interact.
Example: smoking on a sidewalk past
a school shouldn't be allowed.
• If legal then it has tobe
• Yes if smoking tobacco allowed
cannabis should be allowed
• Not when minors are present!!!!
• Wherever Alcohol is allowed as they
are both stimulants
• should be allowed where smoking
tobacco is allowed
• yes but away from kids areas
• should be treated the same as
tobacco, but your tobacco needs to be
updated to include all parks, sports
fields, pathways
• There should be some kind of blended
regulation on consumption. The where
you can smoke should be similar to
tobacco, but the tossing of butts
(roaches) needs to be considered as
children or animals can pick them up
and that may cause harm. The
impairment issue should be treated
the same as public intoxication, if you
can smoke and not make a complete
arse of yourself or bother other people
around you, then ok - but otherwise
keep it in your own home.
• Smoking areas just like cigarettes
• Yes but respectfully
• Yes if a permit is issued same as an
alcohol permit for events
• It should be the same as tobacco
products
• Outdoor public spaces yes
• In designated 420 areas
• Maybe at some big outdoor events
where alcohol is also served but
otherwise no
• Treat it like alcohol is in public
• Designated public spaces and over
age events
• Same rules as cigarettes
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 32
they see firsthand if there really is an
issue. I live in calif. during the winter
and people in our community were.
afraid. that the usage laws. changing
there on Jan 1. would mean the
community. would be flooded with
people smoking all over and
residents. who dont smoke. not being
able to enjoy their private due to
cannabis smoke. That has not
happened. in fact it is still the tobacco
users. on their. own patios. that most.
people find annoying as the smoke
travels. over to the neighbours
• designated areas
• they can smoke in homes and cars or
property
• Should be treated like alcohol
• Restricted to being smoked on their
own property.
• same places as tobacco
• Cannabis should be allowed in any
business that makes a profit from its
sale.
• designated areas away like regular
smoking
• It should be like a bar setting. You can
not walk down the street with a beer in
your hand so you should not walk
down the street smoking cannabìs
either.
• if you can’t smoke tobacco there you
shouldn’t be able to smoke cannabis
either
• No, but there should be areas where
you are able to smoke cannabis ouside
besides your private resident
• It should be allowed wherever
cigarettes are allowed.
• depends on the public space, adult
only spaces
• Yes but not to be visably seen
• Yes and no. Not around kids. But if
your out walking your dog at night.
• treat like alcohol
• Similar to tobacco, there should be a
designated smoking section.
• Same as cigarettes. Out walking on
pathways yes, playgrounds no. Sitting
at the river, yes. Private campsites
yes. It's hard, some places the rules
should be like cigarettes and others
like alcohol or both.
• Only in a designated spot within a
public space
• Designated area
• I feel that it should be allowed in
places where smoking tobacco is
permitted. If it an area where tobacco
smoking is not permitted, then I think
cannabis smoking should follow the
same rules.
• As long as people dont smoke in areas
where children play
• Follow cigarette policies
• I think the rules for cannabis in public
spaces should be the same rules that
are in place for regular smoking
• The same as alcohol, ie bars etc
• Public places, but not areas children
frequently use (parks, playgrounds,
schools, etc)
• certain spaces yes, but less so where
children/teens are commonly present
• yes for medical reasons
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 33
Question 6: If smoking cannabis is allowed in public spaces, where should it
be permitted?
Answered: 1,238 Skipped: 6
1. Parks (for example, George Lane Park, naturalized river areas)
2. Pathways (for example, happy trails and paved pathways near parks, the river and storm
ponds)
3. Sidewalks (for example, the municipal sidewalk that runs adjacent to roads)
4. Streets (for example, roads in town)
5. Unsure
6. Not in public
7. Other (please specify)
Total Online Paper
Resident Economic Driver Guest
Q6: If smoking cannabis is allowed in public spaces, where should it be permitted?
Answered: 1,238 Skipped: 6
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 34
Answer Choices Responses per
cent
Responses #
Parks (for example, George Lane Park, naturalized river
areas)
20.52per cent 254
Pathways (for example, happy trails and paved pathways
near parks, the river, and storm ponds)
22.62 280
Sidewalks (for example, the municipal sidewalk that runs
adjacent to roads)
17.37per cent 215
Streets (for example, roads in town) 16.56per cent 205
Unsure 5.98per cent 74
Not in Public 53.55per cent 663
Other (please specify) 19.79per cent 245
TOTAL 1,238
Other (please specify)
• parking lots
• We are not allowed to drink in public
space so the same as alcohol
• NO
• designated areas only
• no public spaces
• designated areas
• N/A
• same as cigarettes
• no place
• Specified places. Outside. Houses,
coffee shops?
• Your own vehicle
• Not at all
• Private businesses
• N/A
• pathways and unsure
• A field somewhere out of town
• In the person's home or residence
• specialty cafe's
• Anyplace cigarettes are allowed
• Bar Patios. If you can drink there you
should be able to smoke
• have all users smoke at home inside !
• Cannabis Consumption should be
allowed in public spaces like streets,
parks and side walks only if the area is
not overly crowed, and no minors are
on site.
• Designated zones
• They should be allowed to smoke
wherever cigarette smokers are
allowed
• Parks and playgrounds
• Only in your home
• None
• None
• Rimby
• N/A
• N/A
• N/A
• Same rules as tobacco smoking
• None
• in dwellings / or private home
• N/A
• designated spot that I don't have to
walk through to enter a business or
medical facility
• N/A
• Smoking lounges
• N/A
• designated areas
• at home only
• N/A
• except for discreet medical use
• smoking cannabis should be allowed
to to be smoked wherever tobacco can
be smoked. Personally I would smoke
in public places that are more private,
not walking down he sidewalk
• N/A
• Specific bars
• N/A
• in their own back yard
• N/A
• personal property
• bars
• Everywhere
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 35
• No where
• Similar to restriction on smoking
tobacco
• None
• None
• at their yard
• N/A
• N/A
• N/A
• Private residence / yard.
• Parks but specifically for only cannabis
• nowhere
• N/A
• N/A
• designated areas
• same as tobacco
• In private
• own property - or designated spaces
• N/A
• no public places at all
• public should not be exposed
• N/A
• smoking areas @ large parks (George
Lane)
• same as smoking bylaw
• People can do it in their own home if
they choose to do so
• None
• designated, secluded smoke pits
• same as liquor
• Designated smoking areas
• N/A
• Your own property
• N/A
• in designated spots (in parks) away
from playgrounds
• it just shouldn't be allowed
• Places that consuming alcohol is okay
(ie. music festivals)
• Should not be allowed in public!!
• In their own home yard. Cannabis is a
drug and should be treated as alcohol.
• N/A strike-through all options
• where smoking is allowed
• Nowhere
• private discreat area away from kids
• same as alcohol
• own property
• with discretion any of these places
where cigarette smoking is allowed.
should be fine not by school yards not
at the kids water park people need to
use their heads Everyone. uses the
sidewalks/pathways and people
smoke when walking
• Individuals homes
• not in anyplace that can affect anyone
else. If a person must smoke anything,
it should be done in a fully enclosed
room where no smoke or anything else
escapes. The person can only exit the
room once all smoke is gone. I don't
think there is any reason to smoke
anything.
• Public spaces similar to bars
• N/A
• designated areas
• unsure
• Away from people
• Adult events in designated areas
• do we allow people to walk around
with a drink (alcohol) in their hand
• Same regulations as tobacco
• Residence
• Should be no different than alcohol or
tobacco regulations
• In a controlled space with air filtration
HVAC system to prevent intoxicating
others who do not want to get high.
• not near children!
• I can't recreationally consume alcohol
in public, so why should anyone be
able to consume something that
affects other public space users?
• at home only
• only in the privacy of a home or
backyard
• Rules should be the same as alcohol
• Designated smoking areas only so that
non smokers and children do not have
to be exposed
• It should have the same regulations as
alcohol. Inside designated locations
with the proper ventilation or on
private property, it would be better for
ainquality to keep it inside a house
• In a bar or lounge specifically designed
for cannabis use age.
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 36
• N/A
• Not at all
• Naturalized river areas
• NEVER
• anywhere where there are no kids
• where children are not
• None
• N/A
• indoor (bar)
• No where
• anywhere tobacco is allowed except
cars
• totally separate space
• simply do not allow!
• Wherever it's acceptable
• N/A
• nowhere near kids
• N/A
• N/A
• only in bars - like alcohol their homes
• N/A
• areas away from children's parks near
provincial parks (eg. riverside)
• N/A
• shouldn't be allowed in public places -
alcohol isn't allowed, neither should
cannabis!
• designated areas
• No!! Private residence
• Designated areas
• anywhere you're allowed to smoke
cigarettes you shoild be able to smoke
cannabis, pollutes the same amount of
airspace
• Dedicated cannabis cafes
• Designated smoking areas
• Stricter than our feeble smoking laws
• Anywhere that has a reasonable
distance between people and the use
can be discreet.
• everywhere
• feel very strongly that it should not be
in public spaces
• not at all
• No where
• designated
• N/A
• licensed events
• Designated smoking areas
• designated smoking area in public
place (parks, arenas, etc)
• Only in a bar setting style.
• Any Designated area, away from
minors.
• The federal government has said
cannabis was to be smoked in private
residences, why the hell would we
consider anything more liberal than
that
• Only allowed in private spaces
• Specific designated area's only, at
specific event's only.
• private business as per owner's choice
• Fenced "beer garden", a pot garden,
separate from general population
• only at permitted special events where
people know there will be cannabis
• they should limit use to inside an
enclosed bar to smoke or their own
property
• In public places, smoking should be
permitted as long as you avoid
children.
• Smoking should never be in public,
those with medical needs should be
allowed to vape discreetly
• Even when it is smoked in the privacy
of their homes you can smell it a
couple blocks away! It shouldn’t even
be allowed out in the open even in
back yards!
• only in private use
• either in their homes, a smoke/ cigar
house not even in pubs due to the
awful smell that lingers on peoples
clothes , hair & skin
• Inside your own home with the
windows etc closed!!
• wherever alcohol is allowed
• Not allowed
• same places cigarettes are allowed
• Any place alcohol can be legally
consumed.
• only designated smoking spaces, just
like tobacco
• Away from kids parks and entrance to
buildings
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 37
• None
• designated areas with other smokers
• cannabis should not be used period in
any public place
• I'm against it and it shouldn't be
allowed
• your own back yard
• N/A
• your home
• N/A
• Not at all - you can't drink in public
spaces
• specific, set aside area
• away from children and people grown
up
• not near children, keep at home
• N/A
• None
• where tobacco is allowed
• should be only in privacy of own home
• on your property
• At home
• Put a no smoking law in high river
• Right now, smoking is generally not
permitted in public areas or entrance
ways to buildings - that should stay the
same for cannabis. Regardless of the
bylaw, people will smoke in public
areas, just the same as they currently
drink open alcohol in GLP. I don't think
we should give people free reign to
smoke in all open areas and perhaps
should limit it to private property with
the assumption that they will probably
still try to do it parks, etc. Those can be
dealt with in the same way as public
consumption of alcohol or public
intoxication.
• Like a bar but distinct
• We should be able to treat it the same
as cigarettes
• Designated smoking areas, maybe an
enclosed, ventilated space so others
don't smell it or smoke.
• Now treat it like cigarettes. No one
under 18 should be exposed to it
• Not in areas where children could be
close by.
• Designated smoking areas
• enclosed areas same as alcohol
permits at events
• follow tobacco laws
• Anywhere aside from schools and
public playgrounds
• Designated smoking areas as well as
cannabis clubs or "bars"
• Anywhere smoking is allowed. But I
also think smoking is gross so should
be as far away from people as
possible.
• I don't believe we should be allowed to
smoke near children maybe a distance
from a park or where kids play would
be ideal
• Wherever people are allowed to smoke
cigarettes
• Anywhere someone is allowed to
smoke cigarettes which drink worse
and are worse for our health
• Because it has an affect on you it
should be regulated the same as
alcohol which you cannot consume in
the public.
• Your own home..campsites...some
parks depending on the
audience...many young children then
obviously not
• Anywhere and everywhere. Viewer
discretion Be aware of your
surroundings
• Everywhere not indoors that the
owners are accepting of the smoking
of marijuana. The town, and police
should not be able to dictate where
and where not anyone can perform an
legal activity.
• Wherever tobacco is consumed.
• It's going to be level no need to
criminalize weed now!
• in Amsterdam they tend to smoke in
designated smoking areas and it
seems to be acceptable. I assume if
someone found it offensive they would
not go near that area as they are well
signed.
• Private public places
• should have same restrictions as
alcohol
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 38
• Common courtesy should be
encouraged. Don't smoke around
children, or walking past schools and
playgrounds. No smoking zones could
help in playground areas including the
sidewalks
• Should be treated the same a
Tabasco, designated spots away from
the general public.
• Just like alcohol, there must be
approved licenses given to be at a fair
or dance, etc
• Not in public parks, pathways etc.
There should be designated smoking
places
• There should designated ares to
smoke that dont take away from
enjoying publicly availible spaces
• Everywhere smoking or vaping is
allowed
• As far as parks, I think the naturalized
river areas are okay, but not in the
playground area.
• Desiginated area's
• Cannabis smoke smell is less offensive
than cigarette smoke... if cigarette
smoking is allowed then cannabis
should be allowed. However if the town
chooses to ban cigarette smoking in all
these public areas then perhaps
cannabis should also be considered. I
find it extremely unpleasant to be at
an outdoor public event such as a
parade where people are smoking
cigarettes.
• not permitted in public spaces
• Same as tobacco and alcohol
consumption.
• Everywhere
• Any zone designated for both smoking
and consuming substances. Some
beaches, campgrounds, patios at bars,
etc
• As long as roaches (buts) are not left
around for children to find....or Starr a
fore. Why not anywhere. You wont be
able to please everyone so why try to
control us all.
• Would suggest not neat children play
areas but otherwise where smoking is
allowed
• Anywhere, you are not disturbing
others by smoking a plant!
• Again the rules should be the same as
somking cigarettes
• Smoking cannabis should have same
by laws as smokingg tobacco
• What’s the difference between walking
down the street drinking alcohol vs
smoking drugs?
• Away from all entrances- more than
5meters
• All in Designated smoking areas
• Wherever smoking cigarettes is
permitted
• Where ever you can smoke a cig you
should be able to smoke a joint
• parks but not near playground or
where children will be
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 39
Question 7: If cannabis consumption is allowed in public spaces, should the
smoking be set back from doors, windows and air intakes:
Answered: 1,216 Skipped: 28
1. The same distance as for tobacco and vaping products (5 metres)
2. 10 metres
3. Other (please specify)
Total Online Paper
Resident Economic Driver Guest
Q7: If cannabis consumption is allowed in public spaces, should the smoking be set back from
doors, windows, and air intakes:
Answered: 1,216 Skipped: 28
Answer Choices Responses per
cent
Responses
#
the same distance as for tobacco and vaping products (5
metres)
42.27per cent 514
10 metres 35.12per cent 427
Other (please specify 22.62per cent 275
TOTAL 1,216
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 40
Other (please specify)
• NO
• more than 10 metres
• N/A
• It shouldn't be allowed in public, it
smells revolting!!!
• 20m
• 30 meters, really bad smell
• N/A
• 25m
• 1 mile
• More than 10 m
• Smelling distance
• 10 miles out
• 25 metres
• should not be allowed
• Tobacco, cannabis and alcohol should
not be allowed inpublic spaces. It is
not necessary.
• not allowed
• That's a BIG IF- restricted to their own
homes or vehicles
• Should not be allowed in public
• Nowhere
• Should not be allowed
• as far back as possible
• You would not drink in s public place
so, this should be done in the privacy
of ones own home!
• Discrete. Just like always
• Pot smells awful, and diffuses further
than cigarette smoke. I think it should
be not allowed anywhere near parks,
door ways, etc.
• No where in public
• It should only be allowed in your home
• Do not allow
• Not allowed
• 500 meters
• 50 meters
• Should be fined if within 10m
• 1/4 mile away
• 3 miles
• Private residence
• nowhere
• More than 10
• None
• Not in view
• None off the above
• Shouldn’t be allowed under any
circumstances
• As far back as legally possible. the
stinch of this stuff is unbearable
expecially to those with respiratory
conditions and/or allergies.
• 30 meters
• Away from anyone. Like across a field
or around the back of a building. Oh
wait. Don’t smoke up while you’re out.
Seriously.
• 20 metres. (Tobacco should also be
20.)
• Not allowed anywhere I have to smell
it!!
• Smoke it near me it will not be a pretty
sight
• the smell is objectionable and should
not be allowed if ruining the enjoyment
of other non smoking citizens
• If people want to persue this addiction,
it should not be done in public
• The smell is offensive, side effects of
second hand can pose health risk to
others incl children. All smoking in
public should be banned
• As far away as possible to avoid the
smell entering public buildings
• 25 m
• Same as for alcohol consumption
• Should not be allowed around public
places.
• 50
• I find the smell and effects of cannabis
much more offensive than either
alcohol or tabacco therefore do not
think children or non consumers
should be subjected to it in any way
• should be banned period!!
• The biggest mistake of legalization is if
they are allowed to smoke in public. It
should not be treated like tobacco, and
ine cannot drink in public as it were,
only in restaurants etc. If i cannot
smoke in a tobacconist shop you
should not smoke pot either. Please do
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 41
• 100m
• same distance as tobacco / may smell
worse but 2nd hand effects are
neglegable
• 0 metres
• Shouldn't be allowed on the property
at all. Just because the AGLC and
Canada say it can be smoked in public
doesn't mean the Town facilities can't
make their own bylaw against it.
• N/A
• 25-50m
• no
• No public places IT STINKS!
• as far as possible 10m if needed but I
would prefer further
• Not in public
• Not in public
• Not in public
• N/A strike-through all options
• Not in public
• in owner residence
• 10m i still don't feel it should be in
front of kids
• same as alcohol
• Not at all
• should not be allowed
• N/A
• no smoking in public
• too far away; no close to people
• separate space of it own
• do not allow
• not allowed
• no
• not allowed
• Not in public
• not allowed
• N/A
• designated areas
• away from public & kids
• It should not be permitted in public
• the fumes scent lingers longer &
stronger!
• No where
• not in public spaces
• furthest away possible
• do not allow
• not at all other forms can be used
not make it legal for public
consumption, only private use
• Children and people can get high from
cannabis, especially if they don’t do it
they will be very s Maurice to even the
slightest amount they will end up
inhaling. Only allowed on their private
property
• Treated same as alcohol. no public
space period.
• Areas that are set off from doorways --
perhaps with a barrier so people
entering the building do not have to
travel through a cloud of smoke.
• Not allowed
• 300 meters
• 100 meters at least!
• Should be like Alcohol....
• All smoked and vaped products should
be 10+ metres from doors, windows
and air intakes.
• should not be allowed in public spaces
at all
• Just don't allow it in public spaces
• 7 meters due to its awful smell- it will
make its way into the buildings
• It shouldnt be allowed in public as
there are minors around that can
inadvertently get impaired from being
around.
• not in public
• 100m, 10 meters is not a lot of space
for the strong smell of cannabis to
dissipate
• *
• Not in public
• 50 meters
• Not in public anywhere!! I dont like
smell and do not want to be exposed
to it in any way
• Nowhere
• NOT IN PUBLIC
• Shouldn't be allowed
• 20 metres
• Not in public
• No smoking in public areas
• 50 metres
• Not in public. Too dangerous to pets
and children.
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 42
• not at all
• 10m or more or not at all
• more than 10 metres from buildings
• Not allowed in public spaces
• If there is a set back are bylaws going
to be enforced?
• 2 miles
• None at all
• N/A
• all of them should be farther away
• More
• None
• I can smell smoke through my car
vents when stopped so... the further
the better
• one mile
• shouldn't be allowed in public spaces
• Greatest distance possible.
• No where near children’s play areas &
at least 10 meters from doors,
windows & air intakes
• Not in public spaces
• Not allowing in any public places
• not in public
• Only in private homes
• it should not be allowed in public
spaces
• No smoking in public
• Further away than tobacco as the
odour lingers longer and is much more
pungent
• Not supportive of public smoking of
cannabis - It smells absolutely awful.
Smoke it in your basement if you must.
I don’t desire to smell it sitting in my
backyard with my little kids because a
neighbour smokes it in theirs.
• More than 10
• 20
• Not in public
• further
• further
• Home
• Home
• again for now. id say no. to. smoking
flowers. and maybe vaping until the
public that opposes. this new law can
get grip that cannabis users are not an
undesirable element in the community.
• Not allowed.
• Not in public
• treat it the same as you permit
tobacco to be smoked.
• 100 meters
• Should not be allowed at all. I do not
want to be inhaling this second hand
smoke.
• Not in public at all.
• 20 meters
• 300 meters
• like a bar but distinct
• 100 feet or more as smokers don't
abide by the shorter distance already
• By allowed to drink in public places,
only designated licensed places,
should be the same with cannabis.
Cannibis is mind altering.
• Nobody should be subjected to second
hand cannabis.
• Further, the odor is overwhelming,
increase all smoking distances. It’s
disgusting walking through a cloud in
front of a resteraunt.
• We don't allow people to drink alcohol
on the street. I have a fundamental
problem with anything that alters the
state of mind, and how those
individual behaviors affect the whole. I
don't believe cannabis should be
allowed in public places. Save it for the
home if one must.
• should not be allowed in
public.....period
• Not in public spaces
• 50 meters
• The same rules need to be applied as
for alcohol. It intoxicates and
therefore is not to be consumed in
public. If at a bar or restaraunt, then
the 10 metre rule should apply so that
it does not affect others, children in
particular.
• should not be allowed anywhere
children or minors are allowed or close
to private businesses or residential
areas and schools or hospitals
• NO.Once again, no should be an
option.
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 43
The law can be amended. later if need
be to allow. for more freedom of use in
public
• USELESS...Covers MUCH Further &
EXTREMELY w Wind Changes...comes
from such distance & no ability to ID
the Source area..& LINGERS..VERY
GRIEVOUS SITUATION for BREATHING
& SENSITIVITY to ALL ' Scents'
REEKS..Comes in Windows/ cracks/
..spaces..HORRIBLE to Wake Up to in
mid nite too..rsp. in Non Smoking
Living accommodation. NO
RECOURCE!! BAD NEWS !!
• Not in public just like a booze
• not in public
• on top of a mountain or out in the
middle of a lake
• at least 10 metres and in location that
can never blow into anyone's face
• 15-25
• 15-20
• Not in public
• Not in public
• Not in public
• Not allowed in public
• Not allowed
• Should be nowhere near where
children will be.
• Not allowed in public places at all.
• Away from all public places
• At least 15 metres from persons who
do not want to get influenced by
second hand smoke. Preferably,
smoking of cannabis should only be
authorized in an enclosed space with
proper filtered air/HVAC system.
• 100 meters
• Don't allow it in any public space. That
stuff stinks!
• NOT AT ALLOWED! l. THE END.....
• should not be allowed at all.
• again rules should be the same as
alcohol
• Not allowed in public
• Should be treated like alcohol. If not
legal to have a glass of wine with a
picnic lunch it should not be legal to
get high while stinky smoke invades
other peoples space!
• It should not be allowed in public
spaces.
• More than 10 metres as the odour
spreads much further than tobacco
and vaping.
• Not allowed in public
• As far away as possible. The
[REDACTED] stinks
• Not allowed
• Away from anyone that breathes
• Far as possible
• It should not be allowed in public
spaces.
• allowed on patios
• I feel that it should be treated like
alcohol
• Enclosed area, vented through filters
before being released into open air
• Not in public
• Should be just like alcohol.
• If a person has a sensitivity to the
smell it will create a toxic effect to a
person....smoking pot around young
children in Parks and public areas over
time will have its problems ....
• not in public
• 50 metres
• Shouldn’t be allowed
• in your home
• Shouldn’t be allowed at all
• Designated area or at home. The smell
is very potent and offensive to some,
children should not smell it nor should
recovering addicts.
• Not in public
• 20 metres or more
• 20+ metres
• I believe the 10 meter rule should
apply to cannabis, smoking and
vaping.
• Not allowed
• Not allowed in public. It is revolting to
smell and as I said the affects are not
only on the person smoking.
• It shouldn’t be allowed at all
• Not allowed at all!
• Further...and enforced better than
tobacco bylaws are
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 44
• Should not be allowed in public spaces
without a special event permit
• Enclosed area
• Should not be allowed in public
spaces.
• do not agree to any smoking of
cannabis in any public places
• Should have the same rules as alcohol
consumption
• Not in public
• You are interchanging the term
consumption with smoking. Vaping is
not like smoking. I cannot answer this
poorly worded question.
• further, Cannabis smell carries much
further than 10 metres, it should not
be allowed in public
• not around people who dont use it
• 10 meters should apply to cigarettes
as well as cannabis
• 15 metres at least
• not in public spaces.
• No public places
• Either but how will it be enforced?
People smoke outside of restaurants
and businesses all the time.
• minimum 25 metres - must protect
young children and the majoirty of
poeple who do not smoke marajuana
• 15 Meyers away from any space where
children are that
• It shouldn't be allowed, but if it is, it
should be 20 metres
• only consumed in private
• as far away as possible >10 meteres!!
• None.
• never in public
• 50 metres
• 100 metres
• Away from anyone else. Only losers do
drugs
• Not in public
• Not allowed in public places
• None. Your can't consume alcohol in
public should be the same
• The smoking of cannabis should not
be allowed in public.
• Not allowed
• No public spaces, government offices,
health centres, or schools.
• Far away the smell is potent and
should not be in public
• Nobody should have to smell it in
public places
• 50 metres
• Not at all
• Not in public spaces
• Not anywhere near public spaces,
especially anywhere near minors.
• No where
• I don’t support it in public spaces
• 50 m
• 20 meters as secondary smoke will
have affects on anyone who inhales
• No
• Should not be permitted period
• so far away that it's inside the
smoker's home
• Smoke pot at home or at the bar.
There shouldn't be a real reason to
smoke it infront of anyone, any where
else.
• Designated spots 20 meters away
• 100m
• Distance is irrelevant, smoke travels
more than 10 meters
• I think, like alcohol, cannabis should
consumed in a space licensed for it. ie
like a pub or bar. The Netherlands has
cannabis spaces where you may
purchase cannabis but you have to
smoke it there. You are not allowed
open alcohol in public (only in a
designated licensed area ie patio or
beer garden). The same should be for
cannabis consumption.
• In an enclosed building away from
people who do not smoke.
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 45
Question 8: If smoking cannabis is not permitted in public spaces, do you
think there should be an exemption for medical use in public places?
Answered: 1,223 Skipped: 21
Total Online Paper
Resident Economic Driver Guest
Q8: If smoking cannabis is not permitted in public spaces, do you think there should be an
exemption for medical use in public places?
Answered: 1,223 Skipped: 21
Answer Choices Responses per cent Responses #
Yes 32.13per cent 393
No 67.87per cent 830
TOTAL 1,223
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 46
Question 9: If medical users are permitted to smoke cannabis in the
community, where should it be permitted?
Answered: 1,215 Skipped: 29
1. Only in designated areas (please suggest ideas in the “other” box below)
2. In alignment with the smoking bylaw
3. Other (please specify)
Total Online Paper
Resident Economic Driver Guest
Q9: If a medical users are permitted to smoke cannabis in the community, where should it be
permitted?
Answered: 1,215 Skipped: 29
Answer Choices Responses per cent Responses #
Only in designated areas (please suggest ideas
in “other” box below)
17.86per cent 217
In alignment with the smoking bylaw 51.44per cent 625
Other (please specify) 30.70per cent 373
TOTAL 1,223
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 47
Other (please specify)
• Home/Businesses
• N/A
• unsure
• a field away from town
• On private property/home
• both only in designated areas and in
alignment with the smoking bylaws
• At home, not in public it smells
revolting and its fumes make others
high
• only in designated areas / same as
smoking cannabis
• Only in designated areas away from
the public
• Their own home
• smoking gazebos etc. / in line with the
smoking bylaw Areas that have an
easily controlled airway for the smoke.
Perhaps a bus shelter type structure
facing least used areas in THR.
• No where
• In their own home only
• In their own home only
• Nowhere
• No, I know people who have medicinal
marijuana cards that are using them
for non medicinal purposes other than
getting high. So absolutely not, the
system is abused and I do not wish to
be exposed to it.
• cannabis is cannabis, medical or not,
the smoke is all the same. away from
doors window, intake
• Home only if no children present in
that part of the house
• Clinics or at home
• at home and inside
• in their own home
• Most likely, if it's for medical reasons,
the patient would be more comfortable
smoking/eating it in their own homes
or vehicle.
• At private residences
• Home or Dr office
• At home only
• Anywhere it can’t be smelled or seen
by non-smokers, children, etc
• In their car, home or yard
• In their home
• They don't need to smoke it in public,
they can use other forms like oils if
they need to consume in public.
Health Canada does not recommend
smoking of medicinal cannabis.
• 10 meters away from doors,
entrances, etc as well as 10 meters
away from other persons and vehicles.
I do not want any residue of any type
getting on my vehicle, body or other
possessions as I travel extensively in
the USA and the drug sniffer dogs will
pick it up. I do not think I should have
to suffer the extensive search that
would result from a positive response
from a sniffer dog just so that a drug
addicted person can smoke his dope
in public. Take it home and smoke it
in your own home. Discrete. Just like
it’s already is
• I think that medical users can legally
consume the product in ways other
than smoking it. Therefore they can
make preparations to ingest the
product by some other method
• No where in public, they will be stoned
in public. At home only!
• only in their own residence with proper
filtration to not disturb other residents
• in or on their own private property
• Closed in / separate ventilation
• closed in with separate ventilation
• Who is going to inspect medical
certificate for each smoker?
• Inside a closed designated public
space.
• private residence
• designated areas / smoking bylaw
• Unsure
• designated areas at schools
• Do it at your house as you already
would do.
• designated areas - your car
• Somewhere where it won't affect non
smokers
• same restrictions as alcohol
• In their own homes
• not near children
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 48
• Like I said, smoke at home!
• We need to have a spot for the
smokers to go
• in your space (home)
• I would love the smoking bylaw to
change. Eg. the smoking bench at HR
Hospital, I still have to walk through
the smoking to get to the door.
• Closed designated space
• only @ home
• At the hospital where other people
needing public medical treatment
need to go.
• their own property around residence
• designated areas / aligned with
smoking bylaw
• designated areas / in alignment with
the smoking bylaw
• Away from public site
• at home
• At home
• designated areas: I don't have a idea
or solution but I think it should be
extremely limited
• Home / hospital
• Because of the fumes it should be
used in own home.
• own car or at home
• parks / pathways
• in own home space
• discreet as not everyones pro MJ
• designated areas, at home, or same as
alcohol
• should not be allowed
• designated areas / in alignment with
the smoking bylaw
• designated areas / in alignment with
the smoking bylaw
• Not in public
• designated areas / in alignment with
the smoking bylaw
• designated areas in public spaces
outdoors in nature
• Home
• Only in privacy of residence
• away from public
• i don't know
• there is oil
• designated areas / away from public
• should only need to be taken at home
in private
• in or on their property, as long as its
enforced
• At home
• N/A
• Only in your home
• Not
• home, resident
• Designated smoking areas or
specialized areas / in alignment with
the smoking bylaw
• 10 meters or more from public
entrances
• They can have it in their home as they
would any other medical prescription.
If they have to smoke it everywhere
they go, I wonder how "medical" it
really is.
• Private homes.
• There are different forms of medical
Marijuana, smoking it should 0be in
accordance to the smoking bylaw, but
ingestable oil is also an option for
medical purposes & could be taken at
home, in a restroom or their own
vehicle. Vape oil is also an option for
medical purposes & could fall along
the vape/smoking bylaw.
• Designated area away from children
and adolescents.
• It should be done in there own places,
not in any public places
• in designated smoke rooms/buildings,
not in public
• Special place set away from the public
• They can use cannabis oil or use an
edible product
• Not allowed
• Indoor, in their homes
• I know someone who smokes it for
“medical” purposes. They’re fine, and
use it as an excuse to smoke it. In
regards to that, I do not feel medicinal
nor recreational use should be
permitted in public spaces.
• specific areas (signs) in a park
• at home
• at home
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 49
• designated areas / in alignment with
the smoking bylaw
• designated areas / in line with
smoking bylaw
• N/A
• designated areas away from children
parks
• In alignment with alcohol
• In there own home
• Not in public spaces
• min 15 metres from entrances
• in home with closed windows and if
children involved in bathrm with door
closed vent on to help avoid direct
exposure to their lungs.
• Homes
• no smoking it in public spaces... just as
public alcohol consumption
• extremely restrictive parameters
• private homes
• in an open area
• they can do liquid
• licensed spaces
• in their own homes
• 100 miles away or in their own home
Take BEFORE Leave home! Already
been in bus shelter where VAPED -
then left..making Shelter VERY
CONTAMINATED for ALL..for How
Long???? Homes
• Adult events
• Not in public
• not near schools, libraries, recreation
centre,
• They don't need to smoke it, they can
use oils or vapour. Their
accommodation can be met with
alternative forms, not with public
consumption as an accommodation
• In their residence only.
• Not allowed in public
• In their own home
• Not at all.
• In their own home.
• Should no be allowed in public places.
• Own homes as it can be consumed
other ways as to not offend anyone eg:
pills,oils etc
• No location
• bars
• home
• At home
• If they are out publicly they could go to
the privacy their car or abide by the
smoking bylaws or to a less public
area for the few moments. they would
need to use if they are smoking actual
flowers not vaping- again Im. very pro
use. but do not want to see negative
issues arise immediately .
• in an enclosed room in the basement
of a hospital and not leave the room
until all smoke is gone. I have both MS
and cancer, I experience a lot of pain
but have never smoked anything. I
don't think there is a reason for
smoking anything at all no matter what
it is called.
• Only in their homes, someone could
argue drinking alcohol is medical
related.
• Cannibis should ban from town limits
in my opinion
• not in public places
• Not in public spaces
• At home
• In shops where they buy
• Please it should not be allowed our
kids should not be around this and its
going to be a lot of kids left alone so
parents can go and have their fix
• Again, 10 metres from establishments.
If there is a need to consume for
medicinal reasons, then they should
be doing this in their home.
• Although I think only edible products
should be allowed in public places, if
public smoking is allowed, it should be
somewhere with ventilation so others
don’t have to smell that God-awful
smell or be affected by it in any way!
• Not in view of minors.
• in their personal properties or if rentals
then with permission of landlords
same as traditional smoking
• Anywhere. Is there regulation on where
people can take Tylenol?
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 50
• Medical cannabis use does not need
to be in a smoked form. If the medical
user requires a smoke variant then
designated "smoke rooms" should be
authorized to be built by business
owners or operators of government
facilities. These "smoke rooms" need
to have a proper air filtration/HVAC
system to clean the air before it is
spewed back into the atmosphere so
non-users do not get intoxicated
against their wishes. Smoking
cannabis in private homes for medical
users or recreational drug users
should require a building permit and
they should be required to build an
approved and inspected smoking room
with air filtration/HVAC system to
prevent contaminating the air of their
neighbours. There are enough non-
smoking cannabis products to meet
the needs of medical users that do not
require sharing their air pollution with
others.
• In their home
• Medical users can consume via a NON
INVASIVE method while in public if
necessary. Smoking is not the only way
to consume cannabis. There have not
been enough studies to show effects
of second hand smoke on cognitive
development of children (or other
effects) and we should not be
compromising the development of our
youth.
• designated indoor space with fans for
ventilation.
• In private dwellings ONLY
• Don't allow it.
• only at home
• Cannabis does not have to be smoked.
As a medical user, I do smoke it. I
vape it. People beside me do not see
any smoke. They may smell
something.
• In their homes
• None of the above, use in their own
home
• Designated areas such as a house
hold or on private property, or in
smoking areas.
• Not in public areas. Only on the users
private property, residence. Or
enclosed in ventilated smoke
rooms????
• away from condensed populated areas
• First, serious medical users don't
smoke it if they can avoid it. Those few
who need/want to should be provided
designated, well-ventilated facilities to
do so at the local hospital or clinic.
Alternately, vaping restrictions could
be suspended for medical users.
• Enclosed designated space where
nobody else has to smell it. Most
medical stuff I have seen have been
administered by a puffer similar to
those with asthma
• I understand medical cannibis will be
encouraged as an oil,
• In their place of residence
• Only in public spaces if vaped or in oil
or edibles. I do not want to inhale the
smoke.
• Near medical facilities
• Can be taken orally
• Enclosed area specifically for smokers
• For medical use in their own home or a
medical facility or hospital as most
medical use is not smoked but
possibly vaped and there is already a
vaping place in High River.
• in there residence
• Only in private spaces (i.e. homes).
• As inline with alcohol consumption
• In their own homes or vehicles
• Their home
• No where near where children are
allowed
• In there own home
• There is no reason for medical
cannabis to be consumed in public.
Consumption should be done in the
privacy of one's home.
• Everywhere because some medical
users need it very often and could get
very sick without it especially if they
need it for mental health issues what
happens if someone has a panic
attack in the middle of a park because
they can't medicate?
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 51
• Shouldn’t be allowed under any
circumstances
• Only in their personal residence or
vehicle.
• Edible products or marijuana oil works
well for medicinal purposes. Smoking it
for pain while causing lung cancer for
yourself and others makes zero sense.
• It should be set up like a bar setting.
Smoking only in specified areas.
• In alignment with consumption of
alcohol.
• In their car. Windows rolled up. Smoke
up before you go out. In a sealed
shelter. None of us are interested in
breathing it in.
• At home inside home.
• No where but their private residences
• In there residence like alcohol.
• In their own home, I do not feel like
smelling this crap
• In their own residence - that's where
they would take medication prescribed
by their medical doctor
• It should only be done in private, as
the smoke cannot be contained in the
person, it is similar to urinating in a
corner of a swimming pool !
• No exceptions regardless if medical for
the same reasons noted.
• in their homes or consume it some
other way than smoking so it is not
offensive to others
• Private places only
• Empty areas where others can avoid
the harmful affects of breathing
smoke. Many get headaches and feel
awful. I wish that edibles were what
was approved for medical use.
• ANYWHERE. This is life-saving medical
treatment.
• Anywhere
• Only in the home or private designated
areas...or take it as any other oral
medication
• Should be done at home.
• Away from everyone
• At least 10 metres away from
buildings.
• Inside their home only
• In private.
• Their home
• 10 meters away from doors, windows,
other people. Not by parks, schools
children
• No one follows bylaws till they get
caught the it becomes a fight in
courts... No means no in public or
common areas there will always be a
child present some where ..... No is No
• in there own homes
• I don’t want to be smoking my weed
next to someone smoking tobacco
• If it is needed, they can do it at home.
• I don’t think there should be any
exceptions. No public places for
recreation or medical.
• Smoking lounges where other people
aren't exposed to it
• Everywhere, except by schools
• Anywhere it's not a disturbance.
• Smoking cannabis shouldn’t ever be
allowed. If people have a medical
prescription they can opt for oral
treatment that doesn’t affect others.
• in there home
• 10 to 20 meters away
• In your car or 5 m away from
doorewdooreways or windows
• Private property. What about the
health care of others who are allergic
to it? Or people with very sensations
asthma? I feel like you want to murder
those other people and watch them
suffer from weed smoking idiots.
• Not in public Not in public places
period. Even medical needs can plan
on when to consume.
• What does that matter? Everyone will
say it’s for “medical reasons” align it
with the smoking by law
• In their car or home.
• An enclosed area
• No different than alcohol. Licensed
establishments
• Only in an enclosed space where the
public including children can not be
exposed.
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 52
• Again, I do t agree with the smoking
bylaws as no one follows them and
people smoke other items wherever
they feel like. I a, all for cannibis, but
think people should smoke it at home
or creat a few spaces around town for
people to go for all smoking.
• In their own homes or in ventilated
areas where non users are not
subjected to its use.
• outside 500 feet from anyone one
• No where in public. If you “need”
pot/cannabis for med reasons do it at
home
• No where, they can take it in pill form,
or make brownies, that way no one
else has to get involuntarily high
• Anyone can say its for medical
purposes, for it could be for a
headache, poor sleep, or other minor
issues. So no it should not be allowed
because it would be abused by the
people who lie about a medical issue.
• No smoking in public.... just like public
alchohol consumption
• private spaces (homes, hospitals)
• Important to note that the AMA will not
be prescribing medical cannabis as
there is no empirical data to support
its use.
• Use it in another form
• In their own home or Hospital secured
areas Key Word Medical
• You are forcing answers against public
will, that's it!
• In a community space only for drug
users
• Take a pill and stop forcing the smell
on others
• I am sure there are other ways to
consume so we don't havs to know or
smell if you must take it
• In their own homes.
• If used medically, there are pills, it is
not needed to be smoked. No one else
needs to suffer! There are no excuses
• Outside only away from public
enterances
• Have one or two cafes where it is
allowed.. Will prevent nuisance to
• at their home only
• Anywhere the user feels is appropriate.
• 20+ metered from any businesses or
public parks
• Shouldn’t be allowed at all
• Only allowed in private residence
• Not in public at all. I do not agree with
it but if it’s medical it should be in their
own home with windows closed.
• Not allowed. Medical users can take
oil.
• In their home, just like recreational
cannabis.
• As an edible or in capsule to avoid
exposure to those who shouldnt/don't
want to be exposed
• It should not be permitted in public. Be
used in peoples homes.
• In thier own house
• No smoking cannabis in public.
• At home. Cannabis cafe / shop.
Hospice rooms with sealed HVAC
systems.
• I have no problem with people smoking
it in their homes but I don’t want to be
exposed to it in public. I guess certain
stores/cafes could be available for
people to smoke for that purpose, but
not public spaces.
• On their own property
• In their own space - home, vehicle
• Shouldn't be.... they can consume it in
their own homes and/or yards
• Not allowed
• In their house or car
• privacy of home. AND, there are other
ways to ingest cannabis that DO NOT
require smoking. There are all sorts of
edibles. Smoke is not required for the
benefits of cannabis.
• Anyone can get a card, I don’t think it
should be aloud anywhere
• In their homes, private vehicles, and if
necessary at a designated location
near medical facilities
• At home
• Anywhere
• Their home, or some other private
residance.
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 53
general public.. One should have
option to smoke it or not, they should
not be subjected to it if they do not
wish. Needs to be controlled to limit
potential invasions of personal rights
and general nuisance claims
• It should not be allowed in public. If it
is, only in enclosed spaces so that my
one set of lungs doesn't have to be
impacted.
• designated areas where kids cannot
see it
• - Their own vehicles - Marked benches
outdoors set out 10 meters from
buildings or other public spaces -
Designated rooms inside public spaces
• private, not in public, or in community.
I would not be able to distinguish
medical users from other users
• Not at all. The Canadian Medical
Association has stated that once
cannabis is legal the designation of
"medical" should be ended. They view
cannabis as just any other herbal
remedy with limited to no evidence of
its' medical value.
• in their own homes. you dont want
people to smoke it..and then drive
away high !!!!
• Cannabis does not have to be smoked
to receive medicinal benefits - there
are many other options. Smoking it is
actually the least desirable way as
smoking has negative impacts on
health. Having designated areas for
medicinal use requires a) policing and
b) forces people to publicly identify
that they have a medical condition.
• when this becomes legal, it should only
be allowed to be smoked in designated
areas such as (licensed bars or on
personal residence. but if it is being
smoked on personal residence they
must be 10m away from neighboring
windows,doors or intakes. Neighbors
shouldn't have to be surprised that
there house smells like smoke if they
leave a window open.
• On your own property In your house or
garage NOT WITHIN 10 METERS OF
MINORS!!!
• Own home
• This should be far away from any other
foot traffic. The smoking soaces
should be extended out farther, as
well. 50 meters.
• at home
• Smoking cannabis in public should not
be allowed as the second hand smoke
could negatively impact bystanders.
• Home, hospital, or doctor's office.
• Private homes
• In private location
• medical users should not be allowed to
smoke in public places. If they truly
require it for medical purposes they
will find other forms of treatment that
are much less discriminatory to the
majority of residents (non-users) like
eatables,
• Should not be allowed anywhere near
children under 18! Smokers do not
follow the bylaw and this is way more
serious
• Designated smoking areas
• Inside their home
• Make public smoking spots that dont
take away from being able to enjoy
public areas like George lane park put
the smoking spot in the NW of the
campground inbetween the happy
trails
• medicate in private.
• At home or in a place designated by
AHS.
• I have a young family and enjoy being
out and about in High River, the smell
of Cannabis is very strong and not
something neither myself nor my
children need to be exposed to. If it is
permitted in the parks that we enjoy or
the near the business that we support
we will likely stop going to those
places. Since cannabis can be
consumed in other ways, such as pill
form, there is no need for those who
use medical cannabis to smoke it in
public spaces. Why should our
freedom to enjoy our community be
compromised when there are effective
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 54
• In alignment with smoking bylaw but
10 meters back from doorways, air
intakes, etc
• At home
• There are often ways other than
smoking which can be used for
medicinal purposes. If medical users
have requirements which cannot wait
until they are in their own personal
spaces, perhaps they could look at
other options (ingestibles, oils etc.)
which could be used while in public to
assist their medical needs. Smoking
isn't the only way to go.
• in the privacy of your own home.
• in their own private spaces- their
home, yard, vehicle, etc.
• that would be way to complicated to
police!
• In their own private area ( residence,
car etc. )
• One doesn't need to smoke cannabis
to get the benefits for medical resons
• possibly in their car - use some type of
vaporizer or whatever they are named,
to reduce smell (if that even bugs
them).
• at home
• It can be consumed in other forms
than smoking. No use of smoked even
medicinal in public
• In their homes where others don't have
to smell that stench!
• Make designated spots just like
smoking
• In there homes
• There are other products medical
users can use, no need to smoke in
public
• medical users do not need to
smoke...there are other ways to ingest
cannibis
• Anywhere they need to, you are not
talking about anything TOXIC, so who
cares, and medical users should not
be marginalize and made to feel
anxious, paranoid or shame from
using their medicine, thats an old
STIGMA that needs to change, if its
not TOXIC,(like cigarettes) not illegal,
alternatives for those who need
medical cannabis.
• In their own home only. It is not
something required 24 hours of the
day. It is an adjunct to usual pain
medications. It does not need to be in
any community space
• In their own home
• At their home
• Their own personal homes. Cannabis
impairs the person's ability to judge
situations appropriately and creates an
inhibition. People requiring medical
cannabis would not be able to work
productively with ongoing issues in
judgement and inhibitions and as such
would be home recovering or at a
medical facility anyways where such
use would be required for treatment
only.
• A specific spot where no one else has
to smell it or inhale it
• They should have to do it in the private
of their own homes.
• With other options available for
medical cannabis there is no need for
it to be smoked in public.
• I think even if someone were at a park
they should be respectful and back
away to do it over by them self, the
same as I think they should with
cigarette..
• In home or hospitals like all other
medications
• Not within 300m or more of anywhere
there are children, elderly or those with
health issues
• it should not be allowed in public. If a
person needs to use medicinal
cannabis in public then there are
alternatives that they can use in a pill
form.
• In their own premises only.
• Not allowed at all
• Their homes only
• In private, not in front of any minors.
• Areas not frequented by children,
unless you are banning non-medicinal
use in public places, then medical
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 55
not unhealthy, not unpredictable (like
alcohol) why do care where I use it??
HOW exactly will it affect YOU, the
smell? Vaping you can HARDLY smell,
wat is your claim that supersedes my
right to use my medicine, that in my
beliefs trumps if you are comfortable
or not because of uninformed
predjuice towards the medicine...
• i don't have a suggestion, but i don't
want to breathe any second hand
smoke.
• If they need it, say at home. TCH levels
kill animals and we don't know the
affects of second hand smoke. If it is
similar to tobacco then I have
concerns.
• Hopefully medical users consume
edibles.
• should be treated as regular cannabis
• I disagree. They can smoke it in their
cars with the windows closed! Or go
home and do it!
• Nowhere in public
• In their own home
• Same places that medical use of
Alcohol is allowed
• If the person is a patient in the
hospital there should be a designated
area for them. Otherwise people
should have to keep their smoking
limited to their own homes.
• Not in public places.
• Not in public
• Not in public
• All smoke Intake is harmful
• in their own homes...not needed to do
in public
• In the privacy of their own homes
where most medications are
consumed!
• In their own home.
• Increase distances for all smoking
• Just like there are smokers pits for
cigarettes, I feel cannabis should be
smoked in that same space.
• Homes.
• In areas that will not affect non users,
ie: the stink.
• Not allowed in public places
users shouldn't be exempt from the
rules either.
• If people need to smoke it for medical
reasons, they can go home or their car.
Or take the pills
• Private property. There is other
methods of consumption that won't
affect others.
• Cannabis can be consumed as a pill or
edible for medical purposes
• Anywhere. Its medicine.
• Not somewhere where other people
have to breath ut
• At home
• This should be a question specifically
targeted to medical users...they may
have social barriers that make it
important to have easy access to use
medically.
• Out doors away from children
• I don't see how smoking cannabis
would be for medical purposes. Why
not edible or oil for medical purposes.
I support cannabis for medical
purposes. However, smoking it causes
a strong smell and second hand
ingestion.
• In there own homes. If it is for medical
they should be able to time
consumption when they require it.
Bottom line, I don’t want to smell it in
my home, my yard or in public areas I
go. If they must use it do it where the
air is filtered in an area out of site of
kids and where I do not have to be
subject to it. If I am, I’m moving.
• In an enclosed space.
• Not in public
• not in publiv
• Far away from anyone since we don't
want to smell or be exposed to that or
our little children either.
• Medical use should be the same as
now, I would assume at home.
• In the privacy of their own homes. I
don't want to be forced to smell it and I
certainly don't feel that it is fair for my
child to be forced to be exposed to it!
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 56
• At home or designated smoking area. • We take other medications at home
and that's where medical cannibis
should be used
• designated areas: pathways,
sidewalks, near the river
• •
Question 10: The Federal Government is planning for legalization of other
cannabis products in 2019, such as edibles and personal products. Do you
think use of these products will be similar to: Answered: 1,216 Skipped: 28
1. Smoking tobacco
2. Consuming alcohol
3. Unsure
4. Other (please specify)
Total Online Paper
Resident Economic Driver Guest
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 57
Q10: The Federal Government is planning for legalization of other cannabis products in 2019,
such as edibles and personal products. Do you think use of these products will be similar to:
Answered: 1,227 Skipped: 17
Answer Choices Responses per cent Responses #
Smoking tobacco 10.65per cent 131
Consuming alcohol 51.75per cent 635
Unsure 16.87per cent 207
Other (please specify) 20.70per cent 254
TOTAL 1,223
Other (please specify)
*NOTE: where the answer “both alcohol and tobacco” are written below, they were both selected
on paper copies of the survey as this option was not possible on the online survey unless noted
under the answer “other”.
• smoking it
• both tobacco and alcohol
• both tobacco and alcohol
• no smoke from a brownie
• both tobacco and alcohol
• different products should be treated
differently
• both, as they need education about
use and the effects of consumption
• Wait and see what federal law says.
• 1st step to harder addictive drugs
• restricted medications that left about
can harm children
• Too little is known about the effects
and long term effects of cannabis.
Kids well under the age of 18 have no
trouble getting booze and pot. What
has that idiot Trudeau done?
• No
• Absolutely no
• tobacco and alcohol are not used in
the same way as medicinal cannabis,
it is naive to compare the perception of
itsuse in terms of keeping it in the
bounds of tobacco and/or alcohol use
• no similarities
• no
• Both
• must be educated on edibles... much
different results than smoking...
• No it is not similar
• It’s neither alcohol or tobacco. It’s
cannabis
• No will be accessible by kids
• Personal property for consumption
only, we do not need a bunch of
stoners wandering all over public
spaces
• It is similar to the addiction to other
drugs.
• Require more info on nature of
products
• Edables are totally different than
second hand smoke of cannibis or
tobacco.
• Food and smoking
• It can't spread to others when in edible
form so this could be allowed
• Similar to other medications that can
have side effects.
• Similar to neither!
• How do you regulate edibles around
children. A very dangerous decision!
• Not similar to any other available
product
• It will be the same as smoking and
alcohol with the same behaviour
surrounding it
• It’s in its own catagory
• if only the medicinal properties are
consumed there is no problem with
any of these being consumed
• neither
• A lot of it will be in oils and edibles
which no one could really tell your.
Onsuming without smelling it or eating
it. I am all for cannibis being
consumed this way in public if needed.
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 58
• taking prescription medicine
• both tobacco and alcohol
• both tobacco and alcohol
• both tobacco and alcohol
• both tobacco and alcohol
• both tobacco and alcohol
• both tobacco and alcohol
• both tobacco and alcohol
• both tobacco and alcohol
• both tobacco and alcohol
• both tobacco and alcohol
• both tobacco and alcohol
• both tobacco and alcohol
• both tobacco and alcohol
• tobacco, alcohol, television, sugar
• both tobacco and alcohol
• consume wherever because no smoke
• both tobacco and alcohol infused
candy
• doesn't matter
• both alcohol and drugs
• N/A
• drugs
• tobacco, alcohol, and taking
prescription medication
• both alcohol and drugs
• both tobacco and alcohol
• both alcohol and drugs
• both tobacco and alcohol
• both tobacco and alcohol
• both tobacco and alcohol
• both tobacco and alcohol
• alcohol or like magic mushrooms
• both tobacco and alcohol
• both tobacco and alcohol
• both alcohol and drugs
• both tobacco and alcohol
• both tobacco and alcohol
• medical products
• both tobacco and alcohol
• both tobacco and alcohol
• medicinal
• privacy of home
• as long as it is not in my space
• totally different - the smell
• Not even close
• Medical
• should not be allowed
This way is not like alcohol or smoking
tobacco at all.
• Gateway drug. Worse
• Both
• Cannabis is not nearly as biologically
dangerous as these other drugs.
• None of the above. Edibles and
products are items you put in or on
your body, such as an edible or cream,
and don't need to be legislated on how
people can use them in public.
• Doesnt matter how you ingest, inhale,
or consume. Should be same as
alcohol
• Disastrous as access to kids will be
there
• A high from cannabis is different from
alcohol and depending on tge strain
can be an up or down.
• No, it won't be
• Simikar to smoking pot- minus the
smell
• It’s its own thing.
• They are very different
• There should be no restrictions
• More noxious than alcohol and
impairing than smoking
• Using any other drug for recreation
• nothing like tobacco or alcohol, it's a
whole different story
• The consumable products should need
to be labeled extremely well as they
look like everyday products (brownies,
candies, Etc) that children might
mistake as a treat. and there are those
that do drug testing for work and
shouldnt be penalized/fired for not
knowing that a product had drugs in it.
• not similar to any of the above.
• depends on the product
• Not like either.
• I am okay with what doesn't create the
smell when it is smoked
• None of the above
• more lenience than smoking, but
somewhat restricted
• Total different from cigarettes and
Alcohol... quit trying to lumpit with
cigarettes and alcohol they're not the
same
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 59
• no
• both smoking and alcohol
• A drug is a drug is a drug.
• again, this os too vague a question.
Please clarify how we are defining
"similar"?
• nothing like either
• more extreme than tobacco
• not at all
• no law on vitamins, herbals,
supplements not regulated start with
those put cannabis with it
• different reaction to body
• N/A
• worse than smoking / should not be
allowed
• effects user only
• No
• Better - not harmful to lungs
• No
• No
• Should not be allowed
• How is people's mental capacity
affected? Impaired whether it's drug or
alcohol?
• Personal products shouldn't be
regulated (creams etc. because it's
mostly home remedies) especially
medicinally.
• same as smoking consumption
• very dissimilar
• It is all a drug and impairs function.
People should not be driving or
working with this in their system. It is
NOT harmless to them, or our children
or the children they will produce. We
will have a nation of stupid people, is
this what we want?
• Since it can cause impaired function, it
is similar to alcohol, but still different
in that if stores improperly, children
can find it & eat it, as well as
pets/animals. This is a dangerous fact
& that is why I am against this.
• Very dangerous to children
adolescents and pets.
• None of the above
• No
• Neither
• TCH levels can kill. Edibles and
personal products left out in public is
probably a health hazard.
• Those driving and operating machinery
or equipment should not be using it.
• Same as alcohol and medical
treatments
• I condsider them to be all under the
same category as Tabasco and alcohol
• No
• That would not bother me, it is the
stench that I am being exposed to that
is very offensive to me
• can be used by anyone at any place at
anytime...dangers path to go down
• Still aware of what your doing when
high so its os not similar only to
tobacco
• Better than both.
• no, the use of cannabis and it's
products are not similar to that of
alcohol and tabacco
• Perscription medicine, based on the
users medical needs.
• Its dope. The problems it creates and
additional health costs do not justify it.
• This would be a hard one to put
stipulations on. You can't control
edibles because then ALL food could
be suspicious!!
• I don't know how this would be
managed as the edibles come in so
many forms that look exactly like non
cannabis products. I do have concerns
about how to keep children safe in
case someone drops a cannabis edible
like a gummy bear or caramel in
public.
• NO. Not similar at all.
• Using cannabis is unlike consuming
alcohol or tobacco because there has
been no medical documentation of
cannabis being associated with cancer
and no medical documentation of
cannabis having adverse effects on
the liver. The effects of cannabis
depend greatly on the strain being
used and its THC and CBD
concentrations.
• Prescription drugs
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 60
• both smoking tobacco and consuming
alcohol
• Not similar to any of these options
• Personal opinion; it’s a cash cow, way
to make money by legalization. At least
use of edibles doesn’t stink; however,
it alters your perception and in my
opinion is similar to drinking alcohol.
You can’t drink in public, so why
they’re legalizing cannabis for public
consumption breaks my brain. I just
hope the town of high river is
respectful to those who do not enjoy
the smell of it nor want their small
children around it.
• these products will be similar to
smoking cannabis since they have
CBD in them still
• None of the above
• No
• Not the same
• Both of the above and for many
analgesic purposes. I have
experienced firsthand. the health
benefits for reducing pain and
enabling sleep with fewer side effects.
than current Pharma. products.
reducing. seizures in epileptics esp.
children and. reducing side effects of
chemotherapy Not all cannabis has a
high THC level
• NO ABSOLUTELY NOT! NOT enough
Investigation NOR PROPER SCIENTIFIC
Studies as Pharmaseudicals even!
Aldo as USA Case...KIDS Accessible &
then THEY " SHARED" RED FLAGS ALL
OVER!!!
• LIke alcohol but their effects are likely
less understood
• Again, I believe that it is like smoking
tobacco AND like consuming alcohol
• It is dependant on the THC content of
the product. CBD oils or CBD edibles
should be treated as medications but
THC products should be treated similar
to alcohol
• tighter controls should be used
• Smoking cannabis
• Drugs
• Not similar to tobacco nor alcohol
• Narcotics, due to increased intensity of
the drugs in edibles
• They are used for many things, anxiety,
chronic pain so not just like tobacco
and alcohol
• medication
• Less harmful than tobacco to alcohol
• No
• Nothing else
• Nope because people need it
• it will be like consuming an edible last
longer than smoking a joint
• Snacks etc
• Worse
• no
• Medical benefits
• No entirely different takes two hours to
kick in
• Drinking Caffeine
• all of the above
• none of the above
• I think there will be a heightened use
to begin with. Not to mention underage
which is ridiculous. If it’s available
there will be underage kids using just
like underage drinking and smoking.
Not good for a developing brain or
from a law enforcement stand point.
• It can change the culture and hopefully
eliminate all the thousands of lives
that don’t know what’s coming in the
future for there choices there making
drinking as much as possible and
smoking a pack a day
• Taking perscription medication
• No
• no
• You are still under the influence when
smoking...but it’s not the same as
alcohok
• Depends on your personal usage
needs
• None of the above. Edibles affect
nobody but the patient in this scenario.
• Definitely less harmful than tobacco,
so yes.
• Cannabis use is unique. It is not a
health risk as tobacco is.
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 61
• Not at all as cannabis could work its
way into commercial edible products.
• The Federal government should
rethink all of this!
• The legalization of cannabis will be like
no other product ever legalized in the
history of our country. This will be the
greatest government sponsored
"dumbing down" of its citizens in the
history of mankind. I hope the taxation
of these products will be worth the
damage to society they will inflict or
contribute to.
• Eating food does not harm oyr lungs
• They are specific in nature and need
regulating with respect to age and
useage
• None of the above
• more addictive than tobacco + alcohol
• No one really knows!!!
• Still invasive and I’m concerned about
people using and driving (esp in regard
to my children’s safety)
• Medical use has to be allowed but
smoking pot for recreation should be
on their own property.
• Taking drugs
• No
• Depends on types of products...ie
cream may be ok. Any marijuana
products that impair judgment etc are
considered worse than smoking
tobacco. Second hand smoke from
marijuana is discpgusting.
• Absolutely not. For instance, cosmetics
employing cannabis oil will not cause
an altered state.
• I have seen other people on this
already and they a few were very
strange. Not sure if body size has to
do with the effect of those people.
• Both smoking and consuming alcohol
• Just another way for people to be high.
Does everyone really NEED to be this
high ALL the time??
• Drug use
• It's like fine wine tasting
• These products don’t have the same
impact for bystanders as smoking
cannabis, edibles should follow the
• Again! Ingesting medicine it won't be
abused unless you make people to
rebel!
• No I do not because they are not.
• It is very different from alcohol, a
candy, cookie etc would largely go
unnoticed, a topical cream the same
as lotion. It really can't be compared
to alcohol.
• Refer to Colorado
• Alcohol and tobacco
• I think the sale of all cannabis
products should be heavily regulated. I
think it presents its own unique
challenges.
• It all depends on the product. They're
are many different kinds that can be
used in different ways
• Again, none of the above as Cannabis
has its own effects.
• Same as smoking. If you going to get a
high from it then do it at home and
stay home until the high wears off
• Similar to both tobacco and alcohol
• Same as tobacco and alcohol
• Drug
• It's different from alcohol and tobacco
• Dual purpose, recreational and
medical purposes
• Depends if have thc in them. THC is
same as alcohol.
• No its completely different perhaps
you need me to educate you?. 403-
[REDACTED]
• I want for pain, not to be stoned, not
everyone wants that effect
• No different then any food or beauty
products or prescriptions already
available and should be treated as
such
• If the product has the ability to
intoxicate then the same laws should
apply
• No
• None of the above. That can take
place anywhere.
• other illegal drug use
• No. Why is no not an option on this
survey. Cannibis is not harmful in the
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 62
same conditions for public intoxication
or operation of a vehicle but
consumption in public is ok.
• depending on the product, aspects of
both (tobacco and alcohol)
• Different. No second hand smoke. An
edible in public is ok
• Probably worse than alcohol
• instant high ...no way to remain sober
• No
• I know of topical oils and creams and
edibles.
• both tobacco and alcohol
• Pain medication
• Similar to mushrooms and other illegal
drugs
• Both smoking tobacco and drinking
alcohol
• none of the above. edibles do not
smell and are discrete as you cannot
smell the cannabis.
• Neither
ways the other options are. This survey
is jaded and biased
• Not even close to the above
• Eating food
• There are no restrictions on edibles
now why are we even thinking of doing
that.
• Eating turkey dinner
• Neither. Cannabis does not share
similarities with consumption or
alcohol or smoking tobacco.
• Edibles would be the same as
consuming alcohol. Topicals would be
used for pain relief ( would be unlikely
to alter someone's state)
• Similar to consuming alcohol or taking
any medication, your judgement will be
impaired
• None of the above
• •
Question 11: Do you have any other ideas or comments about how the Town
might regulate public consumption of cannabis?
Answered: 549 Skipped: 695
Total Online Paper
Answered: 549
Skipped: 695
Answered: 447
Skipped:552
Answered: 102
Skipped:143
Resident Economic Driver Guest
Answered: 483
Skipped: 610
Answered: 34
Skipped: 43
Answered: 32
Skipped: 40
Q11: Do you have any other ideas or comments about how the Town might regulate public
consumption of cannabis?
Answered: 549 Skipped: 695
Answers
• Signage in public areas, articles in
local papers, promote good health,
occasional checking by bylaw or other.
• Please do not allow in public spaces -
do it in your home and in privacy
• I live in Cayley but shop, do business
and visit family in High River. There
was no option on the survey other than
if you live outside of High River do you
work there.
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 63
• Smoking cannabis anywhere a child
may be present is inappropriate and
should be treated the same as
consuming alcohol or being intoxicated
in public
• Work with neighboring communities to
have the same rules/laws about
cannabis to avoid any arguments and
to be cohesive
• If the town could have designated
areas that are a safe distance away
from other people that choose not to
consume. I think that would be fine. I
don't mind people smoking in public, I
just do not want it near my 2 year old
or my pregnant self. Thank you!
• n/a
• The same the town regulated all liquor
stores in High River
• Please don't do it
• Increase education about pros and
cons. Request peoples good
stewardship.
• It will take the wisdom of Job to do it
well. This could be a real rats nest.
• Heavy local fines which go to warrant if
unpaid
• I SAY NO!
• wheres dave?????
• Institute a very high fine for smoking
marijuana in a public place or in a
location where it will affect others. I do
not want my neighbor smoking it on his
balcony and contaminating my living,
work or recreation or relaxation space.
• Sales must be strictly regulated. No
minors. Not in alcohol products. Tax
should cover provincial costs — at
least.
• It should be restricted to private
homes or locations designated for pot
smoking where minors are not
impacted...like “pot bars” but not in
existing bars.
• strictly indoors. private consumption
should be consumed strictly on private
property indoors.
• License marijuana only bars. Only
allow to be in stand alone buildings,
where air scrubbers, and extra fire
• I live in a condo, we have a lot of
renters and they all smoke on their
decks so you know they will be
smoking pot. I am anaphylaxis to pot
smoke and the pens expire and cost
way to much. I have had 3 attacks over
my life time. I have never smoked it
and have to stay away from it. So I now
get to stay home and have no life,
thanks to this stupid law, design by a
pot head, whose mother openly
smoked it while pregnant with him. So
glad we live in a free country for
everyone but someone like me!
• I'm just very concerned that if we start
making different rules for cannabis,
other than what is in place for
smoking, this just means that our
Police services will then have to be
worried about these new policies,
when there are far more important
issues that they need to deal with.
Cannabis smokers should have to do it
in their own homes and designated
places only.....
• do not allow public consumption.
• Please don't even allow its sale in the
town. Folks who want it already get it.
And by mail I understand. This is not
something to be encouraged.
• only in their own homes
• Follow same rules as alcohol
consumption. Public drinking is not
allowed, therefore, neither should
consumption (in any form) of cannabis.
• Nothing was asked about the location
for future cannabis stores. The stores
should be located on the fringe of the
downtown core, not downtown core,
where visitors can see customers go
into the stores. People who use it will
definitely make the trip to where its
sold, something like the many liquor
stores we have in town. We hope there
are stringent rules about how far each
store can be from schools, parks, any
other public gathering places.
• It should stay consistent with regular
smoking by-laws, Those by-laws are
well known by now, so nobody can use
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 64
prevention equipment (ie: robust,
sensitive sprinkler systems are
installed. Require users (anyone
entering) to sign a waiver of personal
responsibility upon entering. Limit
operational hours as in require last call
by 10pm
• No. It's a very complex issue.
• I’m soooooo not looking forward to
have that in our town
• Don’t believe it should be consumed in
public places. Especially not near
children.
• Cannabis is still a drug, like alcohol
and should be treated the same. No
public consumption period. If taken
medically, treat the same as
cigarettes. On a personal note,
smoking anything is disgusting. If you
must, don’t endanger unwilling
persons around you, including
children.
• I think the survey I did says it all for
me.
• Smoke your smelly grass in your own
home or garage. My family does not
need to be surrounded by the
governments poor tax grab decisions.
• Marijuana should be consumed in
establishments similar to bars but with
upgraded or better ventilation
specifications and/or on patios of such
establishments.
• None
the excuse that they are not aware of
new by-laws. No confusion.
• At home indoors only. Private
residence only.
• I believe educating people that
cannabis is also used in drops and
other means, that people are already
using it medicinally - might enlighten
people to the fact that it is completely
different from tobacco and/or alcohol.
Your survey shows a blunt bias in
terms of via comparison - classing it
within the scope of these two other
substances. I know of two people
withing my block (yes - in the town of
High River) that are using medicinal
cannabis. Many others use it
recreationally, of course. One is a 70
year old, and the other a 30 year old. I
believe that as long as the Town
restricts its use and availability - the
people using cannabis will continue to
take their money outside of the town -
whereas if they could purchase here -
it would be an economic benefit to the
town. The recent fear mongering
locally only serves to show how
uneducated people are. Step up and
show the positive that medicinal use
offers.
• I fear that those who choose not to
smoke/consume cannabis will be
affected by it. I worry about minors
and/or dogs will find roaches, etc and
consume them. I’m asthmatic and
can’t tolerate even the smallest
amount of second hand smoke.
• Be open minded. This is not like
alcohol or cigarettes. The amount of
chemicals in cigarettes, and the
amount of problems that come from
alcohol compared to that of cannabis
does not even compare.
• You can't just have someone be
allowed to smoke outside buildings, or
parking lots. In their personal space.
• I don't want it anywhere!
• The smell factor is big. Second hand
smoke of any kind should be avoided
as much as possible. If people are
consuming in other forms that other
people are unaware of then it's their
own personal choice. The public
shouldn't be exposed to any smoke if
they don't want to be.
• Same as tobacco. Stop making a
bigger deal out of it than it really is.
Treat it as alcohol/tobacco and be
done with it.
• Just not in public places. Smells awful!
• public must be protected from 2nd
hand cannabis exposure
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 65
• If we try and put to much restrictions
on it, people will just smoke
everywhere. We need to have a place
designated for smoking marijuana
• Treat it like alcohol, fine to use in the
privacy of ones own home but, not in
public spaces. I’m glad that it is finally
being legalized but, again it needs to
be used respectfully. I would not bring
a bottle of wine to a hockey game or
the pool so, I won’t bring weed either.
• Treat all smoke the same for areas
allowed. Treat intoxication the same
for driving. It will make the new
regulations simple and easy to
enforce.
• Cannabis does not have the same
negative medical effects as of smoking
and alcohol. It should be treated as it’s
own entity. The Town should properly
educate themselves the difference.
Opinions are not facts!
• Discretion was always a great way to
do it. Can it continue that way
• A total or partial ban will be VERY
difficult to control or police. Banning is
tricky because that may encourage
"sneaking". Good luck figuring this one
out!
• Anyone who consumes it will be fully
supportive of it being public. I strongly
disagree with consumption of a
product in public that impairs your
judgement.
• If you’ve ever been to Disney land you
will have seen designated smoking
areas around the park, and i think
that’s how we should address the
public consumption of cannabis.
• Do not allow in any public areas,
should only be consumed in their own
home
• If people are around the second hand
smoke it can affect them. This is
concerning especially for children, and
those with breathing ailments such as
asthma. It is also toxic to dogs, the
second hand smoke as well as if
accidentally ingested. Proper disposal
of used joints should also be
considered.
• Cannabis is similar to tobacco, alcohol,
sugar, and television.
• It's safer than alcohol, but should be
restricted to similar regulations as
tobacco.
• No it should be allowed everywhere.
• Treat it like any other inhaled product.
• Make your own bylaw against public
use. I've been a police officer for over
12 years and have witnessed nothing
but bad behaviour surrounding the use
and consumption of canabis. By
allowing it public consumptions, that
will be opening a floodgate of trouble.
Just because the Federal Government
says its legal, doesn't make it right.
• Treat all state-altering substances the
same. Designated use areas with a
zero tolerance for public intoxication.
• Enact similar laws to the regulation of
alcohol sale & smoking / consumption
• Good luck
• Designated areas for people who need
it medically / recreational.
• Only in private homes, not condos or
apartments. No smoke is good for
anyone and this stuff smells really bad
• I fail to see how smoking my
medication will bother anyone more
than smoking tobacco
• While smoking cannabis has a
pungent odor, vaporizing has minimal
odor. Vaporizing also does not have
second hand smoke. Vaporizing should
be more lenient than smoking.
• Good luck :( Seeing all the cigarette
butts that litter parking lots - can you
imagine what all the pot butts are
going to look like?! I have no idea how
to fight this beast - but it needs to be
controlled on all levels to the absolute
max that it can in my opinion.
• This is the problem - this survey is
biased towards allowing public
consumption. If this town allows public
consumption I will move.
• Educate and inform the public about
cannabis. Stop villafying it!!
• Preferably NOT in HIGH RIVER AT ALL.
But as it's already GONE THRU. If
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 66
• No public consumption or if there is I
will be having alcohol in the same area
with no legal problem
• The focus should be on k roof
cannabis out of the hands of minors
• Weed never killer anyone
• Make it cheap
• Smoking cannabis is similar to
consuming alcohol, so the laws should
apply to both. Cannabis is actually
worse because the smoke is airborne
and can affect other people. I can join
a friend in a bar who is drinking
alcohol and choose not to drink. I
can't join a friend in a bar who is
smoking cannabis because the smoke
will affect me. Thus smoking of
cannabis also has to follow the same
laws for tobacco use. Consuming
cannabis edibles in a bar or other
designated facility which allows alcohol
would be fine with me. To summarize,
smoking of cannabis should only be
allowed in places where both smoking
and alcohol are allowed. Edibles
would be OK in places alcohol is
allowed. Finally, landlords who prohibit
smoking on their property should be
assured that this will also apply to
cannabis smoking. Smoking is
smoking, whether it is tobacco or
cannabis.
• I use medical cannabis - don't do it in
public!
• Treat exactly like alcohol while still
adhering to the smoking bylaws
• Controlled environment.
should be VOTED on by HIGH RIVER
CITIZENS!! Thanks MJ
• Cannabis is smelly, causes health
issues, and alters your mind. It also
causes mental disorders. In males
under 25 years old and females under
20. I think it should be make as
uncomfortable as possible for
consumption.
• Why should anyone who does not
smoke be subjected to someone else's
smoke. Just not allowed in public
areas. Why do others need to be
exposed that don't want to be.
• Ban it completely in town
• If possible a place like a bar where you
show proper ID and are regulated.
• be careful not to create regulations
that can not be regulated
• Strong public opinion & support. Public
needs to be involved. Public
consoltation.
• Legal or not to smoke cannabis in
public, people are doing it today and
will continue too, I feel that by aligning
it with the smoking bylaw it provides
users the opportunity to do so but it
also provide enforcement when
appropriate. I hope that the majority of
cannabis smokers will be respectful to
the people they are sharing a space
with..
• Treat it like tobacco
• - 2nd hand smoke is harmful whether
it is tobacco or cannabis - treat like
smoking rooms - separate ventilation
system - not near public
• should not be allowed in any public
place
• I think they should research what the
guidelines are in other countries. ie:
Amsterdam alcohol & cannabis cannot
be consumed in the same shop. Why
reinvent.
• Don't smoke drugs.
• Actually prefer canibis be smoked
inside only - homes, cars, because of
impact to folks nearby
• How can you regulate what people put
in their mouths. Prescription drugs??
Should mood altering drugs be
outlawed?
• Legalize cannibis use is the start down
the slippery slope. It's unhealthy and
addictive.
• Signage where it can and cannot be
smoked.
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 67
• Free the weed or risk dealers doing for
you.
• Should be the same as smoking
tobbacco with discretion with kids
around. S.
• No smoking or cannabis smoking in
public. Thanks.
• I think rather than restrictions first,
monitor behaviour and adjust the
guidelines / regulations based on that.
• In my opinion, Cannabis should have
the same restrictions as alcohol as
they are both mind altering substances
and should be regulated accordingly.
• Be fair. Use common sense.
• Limited few spaces
• Just as consumption of alcohol is not
allowed in public so should the law be
for cannabis. Consumption of any
product should not interfere with the
space of anyone else. CAN FORESEE
numerous negative issues.
Decriminalize but not consider public
use.
• Medically helping a lot of people
• more questions regarding medical use
• fine for those who want to do it, but
nowhere near children or anyone who
doesn't want to around it
• If people are not imposing - smoke on
my space. I don't want to be near high
people!!
• as limited as possible
• Regulations to eliminate / dessipate
underage non-medical (leisure) usage
• No smoking weed in parks or parks
• Please look at all areas and around
children and adults that don't smoke
and have health problems
• Should be treated like alcohol.
• No
• My concern is the exposure of cannibis
smoke and other related items to our
young children and youth.
• keep an open mind. people may
surprise you (in a good way)
• Not in public, not sold near
playgrounds or schools
• designated areas further from
entrance areas than smoking areas.
• The Federal Government went ahead
and legalized this product - which
didn't follow a democratic way of
dealing with it.
• I believe the federal gov't was wrong to
legalize it - no plebiscite was used to
get the public opinion.
• Against public consumption of
cannabis, the affect is the same as
alcohol which is not allowed in public
places.
• Users need to be *educated* re harm
to their body - and re smoking - to also
bodies of others in their environment.
• Should not be allowed to smoke in
public places where children are
present. No science to prove if inhaling
cannibis product can or cannot impare
bystanders or extent of imparement.
Keep it at home.
• Like alcohol, there needs to be an age
limit, licensed use area, etc.
• As long as if there is laws or bylaws in
place. They will be enforced.
• Don't allow it.
• (illegible comments - Paper #120 -
Farmer's Market)
• Open a pot cafe.
• Canabus should not be allowed for
sale of any kind.
• Have a specific gathering spot for
canabis only - no alcohol no cigarette
smoking - somewhere indoors in the
winter.
• Relax :)
• Too many locations. Never have
locations near residential areas. Any
restrants offering food must post
outside signage.
• The Town should encourage the use of
cannabis for both medical and
recreation uses. The Town needs to
be open minded and progressive.
• I don't want to walk through and
consume 2nd hand smoke & I don't
want my family exposed. I feel/fear
this is the 1st of many changes that
the world wants to make "normal". Do
what you want in your home. But when
I ride my bike, play at the park, walk
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 68
• If you don’t want it in public maybe
make somewhere for ppl to go smoke
like a weed bar/club.
• Should only be allowed in private
residences
• there is already two bldings which will
be selling its products and possibly
more stores yet to come -just like we
have many alcohol stores, so we will
need more police officers to crack
down on the people who smoke not
caring who they affect or driving
impaired, for some control
• None
• You mean better than they regulate
smoking which is a joke. What are we
going to do with the smell? Cigarette
smokers smell bad enough . It's going
to be vile.
• Embrace it as an opportunity for risk
and cutural change. We can do our
part to overcome 50 years of "reefer
madness" cultural conditioning. Offer
to host a Canadian Cannabis Cup!
Encourage Scouts to sell cookies
nearby! Organize an annual 420
smoke-in event in April! Let's lead on
this in Alberta culturally the way we led
on flood mitigation. Let's stand out.
• I am afraid the legalization of
marijuana will be responsible for many
more fatal car accidents and that it will
lead our kids into taking worse drugs!!!
• I feel very sorry for the RCMP - already
stretched so this will make it even
worse. Town must do everything they
can to restrict and control to support
law enforcement for the sake of all our
health.
• do not allow in town
• If allow to smoke in public places
should be marked to where they can
go. Why should non-smokers have to
walk through them.
• Tollerance. If kickback make options or
designated gazeebo or sv. mtg. Revisit
law in 1 year.
• Treat as with alcohol regulation.
Cannabis is an intoxicant also?
downtown, I shouldn't be forced to feel
the effects of others poor lifestyle
choices.
• Risk management will be an issue.
• I think consumption should be
contained.
• smoke at home
• The town should not allow public
consumption of a mind-altering drug
whose consumption is ingested by
those nearby. It should stay in private
homes where it is currently, albeit
illegally.
• I am concerned the rules that public
consumption of cannabis will not be
enforced as cigarette smoking is not,
for example at our hospital, signs are
posted no smoking but they are
ignored. Our pathways and sidewalks
are littered with cigeratte butts. People
should consume cannabis within their
own homes as alcohol should be. If it
is allowed in public establishments it
need to be well displayed on the
exterior of the establishment of it so
we have a choice whether we want to
support that establishment. The same
goes for all public parks.
• no
• It should only be done in private
homes. Also, cannibis shops should
not be allowed downtown. A lot has
been done to make downtown nice
and attractive and a few pot shops
really take away from the look and feel
of it. We love to hang out there and in
the parks with our kids, but we won't if
people are allowed to smoke in these
places. We love High River, but this
public smoking of cannabis could
really detract from our enjoyment of it.
• I support the use of cannabis by adults
in safe settings but would prefer it not
be smoked in public spaces where
children are present, similar to how I
would feel if alcohol were being
consumed in those situations.
• it should have a designated area
• My number one issue is: how do we
keep children & our teens safe?
Alcohol use & addiction is already a
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 69
• It should be treated like consuming
alcohol as it does alter ones ability to
react. If it will be ticketed for in drivers
like alcohol than it should follow the
same rules for consumption as
alcohol.
• I have 3kids and this is a very big
concerns for me,there safety is my first
priority. This should not allow in any
public places. Just think what will
happen to our kids future. Thank you.
• I think it should be treated as smoking,
not aloud in public places because
people around the smoke would be
effected. While I do think it’s a
“healthier” option of the two, people
who do not want to smoke cannabis
shouldn’t be effected by people that
do.
• Consumption should be limited to in
your own home or designated smoking
rooms. Outdoor consumption should
be illegal.
• no not at this time.
• Sales of cannabis should not be
allowed in such prominent space as
now being set up on 1st Street. Public
consumption such as edibles is
impossible to regulate but smoking
has to be in private homes.
• No
• Ban it in public
huge problem in society, now we are
facing another problem. We need to
limit use as much as possible, those
choosing to partake should do so away
from young people. How do we
regulate use in an adults home where
children are present? This is very
concerning for me, there are so many
studies that show the effects of use on
a child’s & teenagers brain. This law
should have never passed & it
saddens me to think it did. Please
regulate it to the highest level to
protect children. We need to be a voice
for them & keep them safe.
• Make it illegal. I shouldn't have to
smell people's addiction when I go
outside. Cigarettes are bad enough. No
one likes the smell of skunks. I think
its should only be permitted in your
own home and no children should
have to put ui p woth their stupid
parents. Also, i do not think high river
should have any pot stores.
• Please make purchase of these items
not so readily available. There is
already a sign for a shop coming
directly behind my house. It should not
be so close to a residential
neighbourhood. We already have too
many liquor stores! Really - how many
does one town need?
• I don’t believe anyone knows what the
impact will be on the town or residents
of the town. It will be interesting to see
how legalizing cannabis affects the
increase in use .maybe laws will have
to change in a year or two
• Smoking cannabis is the most
dangerous to the public,as, just
inhaling the secondary smoke could
cause an innocent individual to
become "high" affecting their ability to
drive or their overall health.
• Cannabis should be treated like
alcohol in the town and have
designated areas where only people
over the age of 18 are allowed.
• 20 meters from door ways, or at least
a greater distance than the amount for
• don't know how this is going to be
regulated and/or monitored because
there will be some cannabis users who
will abuse this privilege
• Smoking is smoking same regulations
as tobacco should apply for the benefit
of non smokers
• Please do not allow public
consumption of this!
• Respond to, and deal effectively with
complaints promptly
• How about fix the main bridge in town
now! It’s only been down Like this for
like 4 months now
• No as I do not agree with smoking
marijuana in any public place.
• This is a federal mandated nightmare
being forced down the throats of the
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 70
cigarettes from door ways; The smell of
cannabis travels much further than a
cigarette.
• Honestly people are going to smoke
wherever they want, so if you put a
bunch of regulations around where you
can or cant smoke people are most
likely not going to listen. I think
smoking cannabis should have the
same regulations as smoking tobacco,
since smoking is smoking it doesn't
matter what substance it is but people
have to realize that cannabis inst such
a bad thing because individuals are
taking it to have a better quality of life.
That is why its MEDICAL cannabis!
• I think it should be contained to private
use, much like alcohol - mostly done
not in public areas unless under
special circumstances ("beer garden").
I worry about how the "air" of cannabis
could alter a child's mind.
• Specific areas, parks, certain bars,
that have signs and designated areas
like booze should be :)
• Just not in public places. Smells awful!
• I feel smoking cannabis should only be
allowed on your own property. The
smell is gross and the effects are
similar to drinking. You can't walk
down the street and drink so you
shouldn't be allowed to walk down the
street and smoke cannabis.
• It should be banned in public spaces
• No smoking within town limits
• I think it will be very difficult to
regulate! Think it should be treated
similarly to cigarettes!
• Cannabis is like consuming alcohol &
this should not be allowed in public.
Also the smell is unpleasant. If
someone wishes to smoke in their
home they can but not in public. Also
not near children, hospitals, or public
places with families.
• This sucks.
• Not in pubic for any reason
• I feel that there should be no public
use of cannabis in the smoking form.
• probably a area just outside of town.
provincial governments, municipal
governments and the citizens of
Canada. I strongly recommend that the
Town of High River enact the strictest
bylaws allowable to protect the citizens
who DO NOT want to be
contaminated/intoxicated by
secondhand cannabis smoke nor have
to content with the problems that
these now legalized "Users" may resort
to, to generate funds to buy their next
hit/dose.
• maybe in wallaceville park / wild lands
area? no kids allowed.
• I would like to see something done so
that I can still have my windows open
and not have to be inhaling second
hand smoke from cannabis as well as
cigarettes. That means my neighbours
should not be allowed to smoke in
their yards if the prevailing wind is
blowing it in my windows.
• Keep it away from those under 18
years old
• Public drinking is not permitted, even
though there is no residue affecting
the public (last I checked, public
urination was frowned upon). We have
come so far with laws concerning
smoking tobacco in public spaces, and
should not retrogress because
cannabis has become legal. We have
not studied the effects of second hand
cannabis smoke in detail, as it has not
been legal, and we should be waiting
for these studies (which will inevitably
come) before making this decision. In
the mean time, smoking cannabis in
public places should be banned. It is
not fair to compromise the health of
other public space users.
• Keep it away from schools and open
public spaces.
• I don't think cannabis should be
legalized at all!
• We already live in a Nanny State where
the government or its policies are
overprotective or interfering unduly
with personal choice. Time to lighten
up.
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 71
• I believe that we are facing one of the
largest legislative changes to our
drug/alcohol laws that we have/will
face in our lifetime. I think that the
decisions by the Town in regard to
Cannabis have been right, and I trust
that you will do what is best for our
community - both economically and
ethically.
• Treat it the same as alcohol with
tighter restrictions on where it’s
allowed.
• make it as unattractive, difficult, &
inconvenient as possible. The enclosed
room/house should be 50-100km
away from any community and fully
security to keep the lower forms of
people away from higher functioning
citizens. This is an additive substance
that adds nothing to society but only
brings violence, depression, and
prevents people from succeeding.
None of the locations should vent (in
any way) to the general air and
possibly impact any other person in
society. Only those people who insist
on killing themselves by smoking
anything should be allowed in the
enclosed rooms. No minors allowed
and no exceptions.
• Education about this issue is strongly
recommended as many members of
the town have been taught to
associate a negative stigma to the
entire subject.
• Advertise where designated areas are
located and hit abusers with stiff fines.
Are bylaws going to include private
property, specifically "villa" type
structures (decks)?
• No smoking should be aloud because
dogs could eat them and get sick from
it or kids it could start a fire and drive
high and hurt or kill people and do
crazy thing will tho it and I don't want
to be hit so I say no to cannabis
because people well not stop intill they
drop. Please let this town be safe :)
• Don't open a store! Make them go to
the city for it.
• Why should I be exposed to this
obnoxious DRUG ( as well to smoking )
(back yard fire pits)".......... The clean
air is for everyone to breathe..... Why
are we allowing the air we breath to be
polluted by someone that has an
addiction!! Why not have a clean air
bylaw?????
• Have bylaw officers more visible and
monitor public spaces and functions.
• We are outside town limits but almost
daily visitors to High River and would
be very disappointed to see cannibis
not held in strict guide lines. This
could make or break High River, what
kind of traffic do we want here? We
must remember Okotoks is only a few
minutes away.
• Do not allow in public places
• We can do all the surveys and express
our opinion about consumption of
cannabis here and there but the real
problem is as a grandfather I don't
want my granddaughter exposed to
this drug when she's playing in the
park, walking her dog on the path, at a
family restaurant , camping with her
family , not in any public areas. This is
so sad!!!!!
• Treat it like alcohol. Our kids should
not see use of cannabis as totally
accepted. Consenting adult behaviour
In private!
• Please be strict about not driving or
working under the influence
• Ongoing education via various media
sources such as newspapers, radio,
Town Crier, public notifications around
town so people can’t claim they
weren’t aware.
• Cannabis should be regulated the
same as alcohol, smoke it at home or
at special permit events.
• I think it's fine in your own home or
yard
• Recreational use requires tighter
regulations than medical use and
consideration must be given to people
who have breathing disorders like
COPD being put in a situation that
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 72
• Keep it aligned with consumption of
alcohol rules
• I think adult events should have
designated areas , the same as
smoking and alcohol
• I believe public consumption of
cannabis should not be allowed.
• no, not at this time.
• Make sure people know where they
can do it.
• I think that cannabis should not be
consumed in public places..only in
their own home.
• No open cannabis containers in the
body of vehicles. (Trunks only for
transport to residence).
• This is going to be impossible to
regulate. A bad idea
• It is now a banned addictive substance
and should remain that way. there will
be a lot more accidents and deaths
due to the use of cannabis and driving
an automobile.
• It should be governed by the same
laws that apply to alcohol. That means
we should allow bars to open which
serve cannabis but not alcohol. The
bars that serve alcohol should not be
allowed to serve cannabis.
• Do not allow the use of the cannabis
as a cigarrete. We don't need more
poisonous smoke in our lives.
• There should be a complete ban in
public places
could have an affect on their health
while in a public space.
• Regulate the same as Halofax
• Open a smoking lounge or allow it in
private residences.
• Should not be consumed in public.
Alcohol cannot be considered in public,
nor should cannibus
• Use the same terminology when
discussing this subject. Smoking
anything should be more regulated in
High River. Accept the fact people are
smoking and make sure businesses
have proper disposal sites for butts
and, if possible, smoking areas other
than parking lots and sidewalks.
Enforce this. As for cannabis, you
wouldn't know I was vaping unless you
were watching my every move.
Regulate cannabis use the same way
you regulate the use of medical
prescriptions (for pain, for example).
• No consumption in public spaces, it is
still a tobacco that emits smoke.
Should children be exposed to smoke
of any kind, especially one that
contains a hallucinogenic?
• Bylaws in neighborhoods should be
addressed as no one will want to smell
their neighbors joints. It is a terrible
smell and could pose health risks to
those with asthma and our youth.
• Restrict the number of retail outlets. A
town the size of High River only needs
1-2 stores.
• No.
• Not sure how it will be controled.
People could lace there cannabis
somke with lots of differnet drug. It
should only be smoked in pacifice
areas. SHOULD NOT BE ALLOW TO BE
GROWN ON COMMUNITY GARDENS.
• It is going to be a major problem. I
sympathize with those that have to
create the legislation and those who
have to police it. Trudeau is a foolish
man to lay this burden on every one
else for his own vanity
• Unlike inhaling second hand tobacco
smoke, an innocent bystander who
Inhales Second hand cannabis smoke
• I believe that if the town still allows for
people to smoke tobacco in public
areas such as George lane park the
skate park etc then smoking cannabis
should be allowed too. I am more
concerned about the second hand
smoke I inhale from tobacco products
and it's effects on my health than from
cannabis.
• pass a by law prohibiting smoking of
Cannabis anywhere in town limits. Do
it now and there will be no issue and
have by-law officer prepared to ticket
offenders and do not back down now
matter what.
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 73
can become impaired, thus I would
recommend that public consumption
only be permitted inside “cannabis
bars”. It should not be permitted
anywhere outdoors, on public or
private property.
• Opt out of everything that you can.
Read up about how Colorado towns
have handled it and how terrible it is
for those that didn’t do it right. Do
some research.
• No
• I don't like the smell. I don't want to be
smelling cannibis or tobacco while
walk g down a public sidewalk or
pathway.
• No
• There should be no public
consumption.
• It’s a sad day for our young people to
have the easy access to cannabis
especially when the store is right on
Main Street High River. Making it legal
doesn’t make it safe and a wise
choice.
• Make it a non-cannabis town, who
needs the expense this will add to the
town, province or country. This is the
most ridiculous law I have seen passed
in 71 years of living in Canada.
• The consumption of cannabis should
NOT be allowed in any public area. The
smell of cannabis should not have to
be tolerated by anyone!
• Allow the minimum of business
opportunities for the dealers,
regardless of the economical
advantages for the Town.
• Please keep cannabis consumption
away from all downtown public areas.
If allowed it will become a ghost town
and many small businesses will close
down. The crowd that would like to use
cannabis would not support downtown
activities and would ultimately attract
those in the illegal business of selling
the product for cheaper prices. DO
NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO SUCH A
BEAUTIFUL TOWN.
• In addition to public spaces what
about those that smoke in their
• PLEASE restrict use in public. You
don’t want High River to be a town with
kids being exposed to that powerful
rank smell, can’t sit outside at a park
or restaurant without some one toking
and havinng that vile smell poluting
the area.Thanks!
• I am vehemently opposed to marijuana
smoking or regular cigarette smoking
in public places.
• Research the effects, long and short
term, of cannabis versus alcohol or
tobacco. The only risk of public
consumption is a contact high, but if
the person smoking is in a public
space with no kids around, they have
the right to smoke or vape.
• Concerned the town will make it so
difficult, or impossible, for people to
use in any public space aside from a
resident's home. Ideally, it would be
legislated similar to tobacco. To
encourage people to follow the bylaws
in designated spaces, the town could
install butt collectors (as they do for
cigarettes in most European cities).
• No
• Please consider NOT allowing cannabis
sales in the downtown core of High
River. This is a family area. There are
other areas (strip malls) that are better
suited.
• No where near schools and
playgrounds, rec centers, sports fields
etc
• Since there have been studies proving
psychogenic effects of secondary
cannabis smoke- I don't think the
community should have to be exposed
to it. Also, since smoking of cannabis
causes psychogenic changes in its
users- I feel that consumption in public
areas should be viewed as a
combination of smoking and drinking.
• Only allowed in your owned house
• This is the Biggest Mistake the Liberal
Govt has made to date.
• You guys are just forcing those that are
against this drug to accept it the way
you like it.
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 74
backyards causing second hand
smoke to carry into Neighbour yards.
What bylaws are being considered to
address this to ensure the safety of
neighbouring properties — especially
with young people at risk to second
hand smoke.
• Follow the same rules as our smoking
bylaw or alcohol use bylaw.
• a set distance away from children as
well.
• sure wish I had something
constructive. Just know we need
caution
• public consumption of cannabis
smoking should be kept to an
enclosed area, such as was put in
place for smokers
• I think it will be very hard to regulate so
what do we do? Hire more by law
officers to police it and put the taxes
up to pay them? Or the town could set
aside the taxes from the many
cannabis stores they are allowing to
open to pay for the regulation.
• Until the novelty wears off, I think we
will see many people walking around
smoking- making a statement.
• Let's all try to handle the upcoming
changes with due respect, on all levels,
law enforcement, driving, public use,
etc. I think High River will be just fine,
might need a minor adjustment period,
a few tweaks.
• Create an enclosed space downtown
that allows for the smoking and is well
labeled. Then if someone needs to
smoke cannabis he/she can have a
space, but others can be safe from the
harmful effects.
• Medical marijuana users must be
allowed to partake of the product
whenever they deem it necessary as,
in many cases, it is life-saving
treatment. It is replacing harsh &
addictive pharmaceuticals. I will be
very disappointed if the Town does not
recognize that.
• What are the rules regarding cannabis
and driving? I’m really concerned
about safety on the roads...it’s hard
• Provide educational sources to the
general population about cannabis
and its use. We all could use it.
• No ideas I just do t believe it should be
legal. The government is ridiculous on
letting this happen
• Be tough on minors, it will be
bootlegged and shared and if the
attitude is as lax as liquor, we are just
adding to our problems
• I’m fine with cannabis consumption,
even though I don’t do it. Just keep it
in your own home.
• Just make sure the kids won’t be
anywhere close to these situations...
we have to preserve them until they
can decide by themselves
• If we can’t eliminate the drug all
together, then the minimum we should
do is not allow it within 30 meters of
another person and nowhere where
children are. No public areas under
any conditions
• I think a pilot program where it is
introduced into public places and
monitored would be the best way to
move forward. This would allow
feedback from the public once they
have seen marijuana use in public as
many may be working with negative
preconceived notions on the drug
• Treat it like smoking get with the times
• The town needs to be careful and
develop a policy that can withstand
legal and charter rights based on a
persons freedoms and liberty.
Restricting consumption to only indoor
private restidents is beyond the reach
of a municipal government and there
for disputes between neighbors should
be handled similarity to noise
complaints.
• It's going to take a hard line at the
beginning to get everyone used to new
bylaws and guidelines. Being too
allowing of public consumption at the
beginning will make it more difficult to
rein in later. While I respect people's
right to smoke and consume cannabis
in the privacy of their own home, my
health rights should also be respected
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 75
enough to control alcohol consumption
and driving without added concerns
• You already have two Cannabis stores,
That should be plenty, Lets not
become Nelson BC. Thanks
• Smoke it within you house only not on
your patio deck or yard, strictly within
your home
• This survey is not well written as it
combines smoking and vaping of
cannabis... They are different
processes with different requirements
and limitations.
• Totally opposed to public use of
cannabis. Managed an apartment full
of marijuana users - most on AISHE.
• No consumption or edibles in High
River. If allowed then we should be
able to sue Mayor and Council and
Prime Minister for deaths caused by
cannabis
• Treat it like tobacco and alcohol as
when should my health be affected if I
don’t want to be inhaling cannabis
• Ensure it isn’t near anyone else, it is
no different then smoking and alcohol
use, My question is who will be
enforcing this? Our “bylaw officers”
who are non existent or the Peace
officers that are not visible?
• No
• There are many similarities to smoking
cannablis and alcohol. People can
have altered behaviours using
cannabis which does not happen with
smoking cigarettes.
• As a non-smoker, I don't want to be
exposed to second hand smoke of any
kind. Smoking by-laws should apply to
any products that create smoke.
• Too get rid of the gangs, access to pot
should be easier and cheaper than the
present illegal methods of distribution.
• The actual per centage of users is
currently quite high in this town, higher
than Okotoks per capita, but less than
the High Country area per capita. The
ratio of liquor stores is high in this
town, so will the cannabis store ratio
once legalized. Crime will draw from
and not take second to someone's
right to smoke. Regardless of it being
legal, some professions still have drug
and alcohol guidelines and testing and
public smoking of cannabis could
impact drug tests due to second-hand
exposure. I would love to see all
smoking and vaping regardless of the
substance be restricted to
indoors/inside one's residence. Until
that happens, bylaw will have to be
consistently visible and consistently
enforce any new bylaw regarding
smoking/consumption of cannabis.
• I don't have ideas as I am against the
legalization of this product. Having
said that I just think that smoking it
should be in designated areas that are
not visible to kids
• Keep the locations where people can
smoke to a minimum. People cannot
currently do other drugs (legal or not)
in public and also cannot drink alcohol
in public and this should be the same.
This is a family community and
although some people argue they need
this for medical reasons, they still
should not be able to smoke it
anywhere. Thhhey can treat them self
at home and then go out. For people
who will be using it recreationally, they
do not need to be able to smoke it
anywhere. Like alcohol they can
consume it in the places it is allowed
only but they do not need free range to
smoke while walking down the steeet
or hanging out in a park where there
are families. If we lose residents
because our pot smoking laws are too
strict, I can’t imagine these people are
great contributors to the community
anyway.
• pass a bylaw so consumption will not
be allowed in community or public
spaces.
• The smell is horrible, but unfortunately,
you will not be able to protect private
residence from that. I think cannabis
should follow rules of both tobacco
and alcohol since it has characteristics
of both.
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 76
the city regarding theft, etc. as the
perception is that High River is an
easy(ier) target than the city. Security
precautions, as well as monitoring and
adequate staffing of enforcement, will
be critical. I estimate High River per
capita use at 25-50per cent, and
85per cent+ when alcohol/cannabis is
combined as a stat based on
observations and sampling of
population. Legalization does not
mean open use in public.
• am NOT in favor of legalizing cannabis
- acknowledge benifits medically but
smokers should not be able to
physically influence the general public,
especially children with the smoke.
This is still an issue with tobacco users
and will be more so with cannabis.
Please make the bylaw so that the
smoke is not an issue with us who
don't use the product nor want it in any
way around us - we don't want to
smoke it vicariously.
• Don’t allow this product anywhere their
are minors!!!! If someone decides to
smoke in public view, it should be a
treated the same as alcohol.
• Don’t treat us like pariahs - thank you
• almost same rules as drinking- not
later than 12 pm in public, due to
safely of the citizens & 1st responders
• Cannabis (containing THC) legislation
should align with alcohol legislation as
it is an intoxicating substance. It
should not have been left up to the
municipalities to regulate ion the first
place.
• My biggest concern is for those that
choose not to participate with drugs for
multiple reasons. first, there are those
who have breathing troubles that
shouldnt have to be concerned in
public areas about breathing in smoke.
Second, children shouldnt be exposed
to this as it hinders childhood
development. third, edibles need to be
clearly marked and sold only in stores
that are 18 plus( Liquor store for
example). lastly, the average joe that
doesnt participate should be able to go
to the park, walk down the street, Sit in
his backyard without the fear of testing
positive on a drug test at
work(potentially loosing there job), be
pulled over for driving (potential
loosing license, injuring people, or jail
time).
• This will be a huge struggle for Canada
for a time.
• Don't allow it.
• it needs to be treated like alcohol! I for
one am not looking forward to
potentially having to explain the
"skunk" smell to my 2 young sons if it
is allowed in public places nor smelling
that myself
• not at this time
• I really think public consumption of
anything (booze, smokes, etc) should
be done with a little respect to people
around you. That is a hard thing to
measure - everyone has different life
experience & values. I don't anticipate
people lounging around smoking weed
- but if they are, potentially we could
categorize that into an anti loitering
rule. As for regulating weed in general -
I think the 'coolness' of smoking weed
for no reason will go away rather
• Consider that while cannabis is going
to be legal , not everyone will use it ,
not everybody is for this make
decisions that works for everyone
people can smoke at home , respect
your neighbor keep it private , no
Tabasco no marijuana no alcohol in
public period
• I believe should be similar rules as to
not being able to consume alcohol in
public places
• Smoking anything should have
increased restrictions around any
where kids are especially. Nothing
worse than taking your kids in to
hockey and walking through the
smokers let alone explaining the smell
of cannabis to them. People can use
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 77
quickly, while the benefit of cannabis
for people that need it will start to
increase. I think the people that
benefit from it will consume it
responsibly and cause little issue. TT
• Limit the number of retail outlets that
intend to sell recreational cannabis,
edibles and personal products over
and above the medical (prescription)
cannabis and ensure they don't take
over the town like liquor stores and
pizza places have with one on
practically every corner. Also keep the
outlets a healthly (like a 1 km) away
from schools, playgrounds, rec.
centers etc. where kids play and hang
out.
• smoking of any substance impacts
those around the smoker adversely
• I find the smell very offensive and
would do my best to keep my kids
away from it. I would do my best to
avoid places where it is permitted
• None allowed in public .period.
• If you have bylaws then you must have
enforcement. Enforcement is a joke in
High River
• The smell is just as band if not worse
than tobacco. It should be as far away
from public places as possible,
especially parks where families with
kids attend.
• No
• I feel like the town will have
conservative ideals about this,
however, the reality is, this substance
is less harmful than alcohol,
cigarettes, etc.. as a matter of fact its
utilization in the medicinal field is vast
and effective. Perhaps we should be
the ones to set the bar and have a
modern and humble approach to these
upcoming changes. It could not only
help our economy, but perhaps on a
social and higher level.
• no
• No cannabis should be consumed in
public places.
• No
at home or in their car and spare the
rest of us from enduring it
• What if it is consumed in public places,
the person consuming will be impaired
and cannot drive or perform other
activities?
• Ensure cannabis use is restricted to
designated areas (smoking pits, cafes,
etc.) And public places with adequate
ventilation and a low appeal to
families.
• It should in the same manner as
cigarette smoking and consumption of
alcohol
• Seems like this town is going to have
liquor stores, cannabis stores and
pizza joints as its primary shops. What
a shame.
• Regulations should be the same for all
inhalants.
• The odor is going to be overwhelming.
Keeping it out of areas that allow the
odor to carry is key.
• I feel the Town is caught between a
rock and a hard place ... I realize
cannabis will be legal in the near
future, and as a community, we'll have
to figure out some way of allowing it. I
just don't like it ... drunk is drunk, high
is high. Either way, behaviors are
altered, perhaps harmlessly, perhaps
not. There are no easy answers, and I
admit I have no real suggestions on
how the Town can make this "safer"
somehow. I don't envy law
enforcement having to learn to
manage the extremes.
• The problem with this canabis
situation is the federal government
never set out any standards and to let
it fall on to the towns is crazy. We
have to be careful, if we are a town
that as looser regulations will that lead
to more people moving or visiting just
to smoke pot downtown
• Be respectful with it and dont abuse
public consumption of it
• Please regulate similarly to tobacco
and alcohol
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 78
• I don’t feel that I, or my children,
should have to walk through other
people's smoke. Not to mention, if
people are going to be high, it
shouldn’t be in public, just like there
are statutes against public
drunkenness
• Smoke, vape only in own dwelling
• I fully support banning any smoking in
public parks. I have attended events
with my children in George Lane Park
where people nearby are constantly
smoking. I am allergic to smoke and it
is frustrating to have to leave events
because it compromises my breathing.
• Treat it the same as liquor
• Weed users should smoke it in their
homes. Not in public. I am against
legalizing marijuana.
• Is there a bylaw for cannabis stores/
sales in High River?
• Medical cannabis only. Not in favor of
it for recreational purposes at all.
• that would be a very time consuming
job and probably not much money in
the budget but RCMP and By-Law
officers should be involved. i don't
want to breathe cannabis second hand
smoke
• Don't allow it in public. You will
probably create an increase in the
deaths of pets and others that may
accidentally consume it.
• Good luck! The marihuana smokers I
usually encounter around town don’t
care about the current rules...
• I just think it should not be aloud to be
in a vehicle when kids are present also
playgrounds
• Keep it out of public places. I don't like
it when I have to smell tobacco or
cannabis. Also, I have a friend who is
allergic.
• I would suggest that you continue to
ban smoking of all kinds in any public
space (as you define in your current
smoking bylaw) and then take the next
step and eliminate smoking in public
recreational spaces where minors will
be. Treat the 3 substances similar,
• Should at least be as regulated as
smoking. /And tested when driving the
same as alcohol.
• You cant regulate it now, you won't be
able to in the future.
• Cannabis should not be smoke in the
same places as cigarettes. There
should be designated area for the
smoking. Should be set up like bars
and can not be smoked with in 50
Meters of the doors.
• Do it the same as alcohol.
• Need to produce proof of medical use;
otherwise at the very least, the same
rules as alcohol consumption. It is a
controlled substance that causes
altering of effective functioning.
• It is going to be very difficult to
regulate! The pro-cannabis people will
demand same rights as tobacco laws.
People who are not educated about
the benefits of medical cannabis, will
demand harsh laws and regulations!
• Please allow me to take my medically
required cannabis oil when and where
I require to. At the same time, I don't
want to put children at any risk if folks
were to smoke it in public. Looking
forward to the results of this survey.
• Outright ban anywhere but in a
privately (by the smoker ie no
rentals)owned residence.
• to totally discourage the use in any
public places where children or minors
are welcome
• Efforts should be made by bylaw
enforcement to keep cannabis use at
a prescribed distance from schools,
hospitals, playgrounds or any other
space where people sensitive to the
substance are likely to be.
• It may help to hire a designated
Cannabis Consultant on a temporary
basis. This will reduce the regulatory
burden on the Town and streamline
the process of setting up dispensaries,
handling complaints, and transitioning
the city into the post-prohibition era.
Once sufficient time has passed, there
won't be a need for the consultant and
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 79
tobacco, cannabis and alcohol. Make
your litmus test be tobacco and
alcohol, it it's not allowed with those 2
substances then it shouldn't be
allowed for cannabis, either medicinal
or recreational.
• Treat it as tobacco smoking is smoking
we do not allow alcohol consumed in
public areas
• Retail outlets should be much further
than planned from schools and similar.
• Council should have determined via
Bylaw that Cannabis should only be
smoked privately.
• Smoking of any kind should have
restrictions as not everyone wants to
smell the effects of it or suffer the
effects of it.
• This item causes me an allergic
reaction causing the lack of ability to
breath so havong this out in public is
horrid for me.
• Keep it out of public places. Treat it
like alcohol.
• No
• Medical use should also be restricted
as everyone will say it’s for medical so
they can be free with doing it in public
just as Tabasco. Fight to keep it off
the streets!
• No smoking in public in High river
Make it a bylaw law now
• Nope, I think similar rules to tobacco
or maybe increase the meters from
doorways as it can be a very potent
smell.
• Don't allow it. It is offensive and it
impairs people. I think legalizing it is a
huge mistake.
• Keep vendors in similar locations to
liquor stores. Don’t allow smoking in
public spaces. High river is a beautiful
town we don’t want to spoil it with it
smelling of skunk.
• How do you regulate the parking? One
hurtle at a time.
• I shouldn’t have to breath it in. People
should only be smoking it in their
homes.
many of the hiccups of legalization will
hopefully have been resolved.
• It should be treated as alcohol is
treated. Consumption in licensed
establishments.
• a combination of regulations similar to
tobacco and alcohol except where it is
medical. People should not be allowed
to smoke it when in close proximity to
children. This is a tough one. Good
luck.
• Alcohol is addictive and is very
dangerous and widely accepted and
practiced. There are way too many
liquor stores in high river. Tobacco is
destructive to health and also widely
accepted. Marijuana is healthy, safe
and even though the majority of
uneducated people are skeptical of the
plant, it is much safer than both
alcohol and tobacco which are vapamt
in high river and the whole country.
• Remove restrictions on vaping. Vaping
may not be harmless but it is less
invasive in terms of odour and there is
no second hand smoke issue. The
thing is in an era where we are trying
to eliminate smoking from culture, we
should simply be replacing one form of
smoking with another. People voted to
not be arrested for using drugs. They
did not vote to be given the right to
take drugs, particularly smoked,
anywhere they pleases, especially in
places where tobacco smoking is
already forbidden. Please note that if
weed use is allowed in places where
tobacco use isn't, that opens the Town
and other authorities up to legal
challenges that could endanger anti-
smoking bylaws that people have
worked on for 2 generations. Even
beyond the stench of the drug and the
people who use it, this is my biggest
concern. I don't want to return to the
days of people smoking in restaurants,
movie theatres, and offices.
• Encourage a vendor to open a cigar
type shop where you can smoke and
drink booze or coffee like an
Amsterdam type cafe.
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 80
• Adult only spaces. Marijuana smoke
can be damaging for developing
minds, so not allowing kids to get
second hand high is important.
• No
• Designated areas at special events.
• Good luck - it’s going to be a
[REDACTED] show....
• dont make it legal
• There should be public consumption
such as cannabis clubs where people
can smoke it in a public place. They
could be regulated in a similar fashion
as bars for alcohol. Schools and parks
should be off limits but public smoking
areas should allow vaping of cannabis.
• I see cannabis smoking as very similar
to tobacco smoking. The kind I use is
just CBD. I am not getting high. It is no
more of a nuisance than someone
smoking a cigarette.
• We all go to a hospital if we are super
ill. Working with public, we do not even
wear perfume as to respect people
who are allergic. Why when you are I’ll,
should you then smoke in public
places- it is super smelly.
• The only public place where I would be
okay with the consumption of cannabis
is in a designated cafe, store or
restaurant for example. That way it is
my choice (if I go to these places) as to
whether or not I want to expose myself
or my kids to the drug, not the users.
• Consider children and your residents
that don't support cannabis use.
• It is important that medical cannabis
users are not further stigmatized. I am
a medical cannabis user and my
doctor has directed me to smoke it. It
is important to me that I have an easily
accessible place to take my
medication where I will not face
harassment. My prescription is very
low in THC. I believe that it is much
more similar to smoking tobacco than
alcohol. I do not believe that my
smoking my medication would be any
more bothersome to the public than a
person smoking a cigarette. There is
some conflict between myself and my
landlord regarding smoking. I have no
• Cannabis has a awful odor and should
be treated like alcohol and tobacco. It
is much more offensive due to odor
than tobacco. For those using it as
medicinal they can use in non public
places or in privacy of their own
homes.
• No
• It should be restricted to the
individuals home. I don't want to smell
it or have a bunch of stoned idiots
running around town
• Treat it like alcohol first, then tobacco
second.
• It shouldn’t be allowed at all and I
disagree with this stupid government
for ever allowing it.its the worst
mistake they will ever do and watch
and see the death rate go up. Do not
allow in public
• No
• no
• There is the Narrow Road Home in
High River, recovering addicts do not
need to smell cannabis odours in the
public. There is a potential cannabis
shop on fifth street and two doors
down at "the venue" they often have
"scoops of love", ran by recovering
addicts from Narrow Road Home, the
cannabis shops should not be located
downtown they should be located
where the liquor stores are.
• No
• Should make sure adults caring for
children are not under the influence of
cannabis. Also, make it illegal to allow
children to accidentally gain access to
edible cannabis
• You need to seriously consider people
allergic to weed and smoke, people
with asthma, compromised lungs.
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 81
problem going to a place within a
reasonable distance from my home
(within 200 m)
• Please do not allow it being smoked
near any event that is not adult only.
• Have businesses like bars/Lounge for
consumption indoors.
• - treat it as tobacco smoking, and ban
all smoking in public places
• info drive where it can be smoked.
social media
• Drinking in public is not ok therefore
smoking cannabis shouldn't be either!
• Make it simple and keep it like
smoking. Edibles are a different story,
but I don't think it's as disruptive as
drinking in public.
• this is a great opportunity for tourism,
the more liberal the better
• We don’t allow drinking alcoholic
beverages on the street or at public
events. Cannabis should be treated
the same. Penalties for driving unde
the influence should be similar to
alcohol.
• Think of the medical users I urge you
this isn't tabbaco this is medicine that I
and a lot of other residents need to
use often desperately and would love
not to be stuck at home for the rest of
our lives because uneducated people
thought otherwise
• Limit the number of stores selling the
product.
• A lot of luck and more police. I feel the
crime is about to get a lot worse than
what it is. We’ve practiced and
preached how wrong drugs are for
years and now...just crazy. Farewell to
what’s left of the good kids. Now it will
be acceptable...
• No.
• More laws, banning from public places,
banned from school and park areas.
10 meters away from doors and
windows.
• I work in the public sector everyday
and when someone is smoking it with
in the area of my work place it does
have an effect on me personally do to
• It should be consumed in home not in
public
• Follow through with any bylaws that
get put in place. The sooner people
learn the rules and what is acceptable
and what’s not the easier it will be.
Hopefully
• Take control from the beginning before
it gets out of hand!!!!
• People should smoke at home on their
own property. If a business wants to
open a cannabis bar with proper
ventilation away from daycares and
schools that would be okay.
• It should be treated like consuming
alcohol. Only allowed in designated
areas that are enclosed and will not
affect others that do not partake. Not
while walking down the street or
outside a public entrance for example.
Should not be a wherever you want to
smoke it is fine type of arrangement.
There needs to be rules to protect the
non users. Thank you
• Why should any drug or smoking need
to be in public?
• Please make it make it even more
strict than consuming alcohol. Alcohol
cannot be consumed in public areas
such as George Lane park nor should
cannabis. It belongs on private land or
in licensed facilities similar to alcohol.
• Smoking cannabis is more closely
related to alcohol than to cigarettes as
Cannabis with THC will cause
impairment. Needs to be treated the
same as alcohol consumption.
Licensed establishments or events.
Not in public.
• Regulate to same places other medical
products are administered, by a
practitioner.
• It should be illegal to smoke with
children present or nearby, especially
in a vehicle. Cannabis should be
treated like alcohol - no consumption
in public.
• personal residence of user only
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 82
the low tolerance of the smell of the
drug and U have to remember that this
is just another drug related habit we
are to contend with that has become a
voters tool for the government ....
Workers driving city vehicals smell the
smell of pot while someone walks by
them will impare the work
performance and may have to book off
because of the smell of pot that they
have injested .....
• no against it 100 per cent
• Cannabis is a great product for alot of
people, it as alot of good benefits for
how little harm it can do in a public
setting, someone might not enjoy the
smell of it. I also dont enjoy the smell
of regular tobacco. If anything is done,
the laws should be the same for
tobacco and cannabis, they are a very
similar product, other than one heals
and one kills. Don't make the one that
heals seem to be the bad guy
• Just have designated smoking areas
away from doorways. People have a
right to medical marijuana, but, like
smoking, a lot of people don't like the
smell. Perhaps a ventilated room of
some sort in public buildings? I don't
personally plan to consume it, but I
would if I had a medical concern
• It is nothing like tobacco or alcohol is
not even in the same ballfield, so
please don’t try to regulate it as if it is .
• If there is to be a bylaw, it needs to be
enforced. It is sad how many bylaws in
this town are broken daily with no
consequence. It seems like the
undesirable element keeps expanding
in what use to be a nice little, well
taken care of, town.
• Let them smoke it in their own homes
and not in public. I don't want to smell
it.
• Keep it the same as consuming
tobacco ( even though it is not as
harmful) Don’t regulate it too much.
It’s just a plant, nothing to panic over.
• Working with the cannabis collective is
always the best way to get a
reasonable outcome.
• It’s like smoking cigarettes and
drinking alcohol for god sakes. It’s
18+. You can make bylaws and have
rules and signs, which is great - and I
think it should be treated like
alcohol/cigarettes - but at the end of
the day, people smoke cannabis
everywhere as it is. Just like some
people will drink beer or smoke
anywhere also. Have you been by
George Lane and the river there?
Cigarette butts and beer cans
everywhere. All the time, every
spring/summer/fall, heck sometimes
even in Winter. Just treat it like alcohol
and cigarettes, most people will follow
the rules, but there’s always those
defiant ones that won’t. I’d rather deal
with someone smoking cannabis than
someone who is drunk or blowing
cigarette smoke in my direction.
Cannabis is the least of your worries.
• Unsure if this would work but I believe
it would be best if it is prohibited at the
spray park on the actuall paved splash
pad, or at the playground on the actual
play structure. I don't have an issue
stepping back a couple meters and
lighting one up while observing from
afar. Just bot directly there within
grasp of kids. But i agree that it should
be allowed on sidewalks and paths.
• Why would it be different than alcohol
or tobacco that have killed, as
cannabis has never killed anyone.
• Cannabis should not be viewed in the
same way as tobacco or alcohol. As we
learn more about health benefits of
cannabis through good research, we
will have greater acceptance of its use.
• Be sensible and know that police do
not have time to enforce rigid bylaws.
• I beg you, do your research thoroughly.
Don't pander to the brainwashed
conservatives.
• Please do not permit this activity in
public or elsewhere. I think the
social/emotional and cognitive
• Similar to bars, cannabis should be
consumed only by those who choose,
so in a private residance or a public
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 83
consequences of this are going to take
years to be seen. Not my child or
yours needs ready access to drugs
leagal or otherwise.
• I just don't want to smell it everywhere.
It doesn't bother me that people do it,
but it's a very unpleasant smell and I
don't want to have to smell it
everywhere I go. And I don't want my
kids to have to smell it either.
• There should not be any regulations
other then driving under the influence!
• I have young children and feel very
strongly that I do not want them
exposed to any sort of effects of
cannibis in public
• It’s here already. Keep it to people’s
residence or make a 4-20 park near a
pizza parlour.
• It might be helpful to provide
education along with the regulations to
explain, because not everyone will get
it, what is acceptable and what is not
or what is an issue and what is not.
Videos? Ads? Town Crier? People are
already using medical and recreational
cannabis and have developed smoking
or consumption habits that are not
currently an issue because they
already know what is acceptable.
(most people) Medical users are legal
now and the streets are not hazy from
the smoke so we could assume that
this will not change drastically. There
will also be strict impairment laws and
consequences that users will be
mindful of and this will also encourage
at home, in private consumption for
the most part. I personally hope it will
be dealt with similar to smoking.
Alcohol is served an consumed in a
licensed establishment, I do not see
that happening with cannabis.
• I think it’s despicable that you would
allow these types of business and the
use of these products in town limits at
all
• As a high school teacher, I am very
nervous about the legalization of
marijuana for our youth. I think it
should be out of sight for the public.
business designated for cannabis use
(like a Cannabis bar). Just as with
alchohol, my children should be able to
reside in High River without being
subject to the smell or visible influence
or cannabis.
• no just people use should use it right
around people who dont smoke it
• Cannabis should be consumed at
home or out walking as you are
impaired. You can not drive, so
anyone seen smoking then driving
should be reported. We need to focus
on being a thoughtful community
towards our kids and others that do
not partake in cannabis consumption.
Good luck council, you have a tough
job. I would recommend a trial on the
new bylaws before passing bylaws. Be
open and inform people that we are
starting here with the rules and will
see how the first 3 months go and
amend as needed. This is new
territory. Maybe look at California's
laws for a little help too. Thank you
• Just like public drinking. Not aloud
unless in a designated area, or in own
car or property.
• None
• I don’t think it should be allowed in
public. I do not agree with our youth
thinking bongs etc are “normal”
• Do not allow its use in any public areas
• Smoking cannabis is not like smoking
cigarettes because the strength of
current varieties of cannabis is so
strong that second hand smoke can
actually get someone nearby high and
could effect the brain development of
children and youth, plus the smell is
much more noxious than cigarette
smoke or even cigar smoke. For these
reasons I cannot think that there is any
public location that is acceptable for
allowing the smoking of cannabis for
recreational or medicinal purposes.
There are alternatives to smoking the
product such as oils and edibles that
could be utilized by those that must
use it for medicinal purposes.
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 84
• Discrete smoking should be allowed.
Use with discretion. For it is the better
part of valour.
• If we have proven that second hand
smoke can affect children etc., proving
smoke is drawn into nearby lungs, and
we've further proven that cannabis is
harmful to brain development in under
14, I believe the only public
consumption should be edibles that
can stay with the person choosing to
imbibe. The only other alternative is a
business (similar to a bar) that caters
only to those of legal age and those
that choose to smoke it or breath it
second hand. I want to know when I, or
the minors I'm with are taking on the
substance. It's like giving kids juice
laced with vodka without telling the
parents or the kids.
• It should be treated just like alcohol.
• As strictly as possible. At least as
regulated as tobacco and alcohol
combined. It stinks.
• It should not be allowed. Totally
against regulation of cannabis.
Another drug on the street.
• Allowing cannabis to be consumed in
places where minirs nay be present
should be prohibited. Plus, the
smoking of cannabis should be limited
to indoor areas because it has a foul
odour.
• Just treat it the same as alcohol as far
as In public. Otherwise good luck
policing it ie.whos allowed and who's
not, when and where...Sounds like a
nightmare to try and enforce anything
unless you follow the same rules as
alcohol. People know the rules with
alcohol so would make the easiest
transition.
• Should be similar to alcohol: can't
consume in public places or in your
care or at your job. Like smoking in
that can't consume around minors or
in public or anywhere someone may be
exposed without first giving consent.
Just because it is legalized doesn't
mean it's a free for all. It frustrates me
take tax payers money and time has to
• Limit how many cannabis stores, along
with bars, can be in an area. Already
the downtown core is overwhelmed
with both (based on the already leased
cannabis sites) greatly limiting the
potential for other businesses
(because on the negatives associated
with clientele).
• As you may know from my previous
answers I do not think that public
consumption of cannabis is beneficial
for our community. I understand that
it will soon be legalized in Canada and
that we must deal with it in a
reasonable way, but my experience
with the legalization of cannabis in the
Oregon, USA has bad. The areas
surrounding the dispensaries soon
become run down and unkept. The
many towns that do not allow public
consumption of cannabis seem to do
well and their park space is still nice to
be in. If we choose to go down the path
of allowing cannabis in our park
spaces and downtown the town could
cease to be enjoyable for our families.
I don't know of many people who want
to sit on the patio at Colossi's while
someone smoke cannabis beside
them. I certainly do not. Secondly,
with the legalization of edible products,
there is an alternative for people who
must consume it in public spaces. My
only real suggestion about how the
town might regulate public
consumption of cannabis is that the
town create a space where it can be
done without impacting business, park
space, and public areas. Or perhaps
not allow it in public spaces until after
9pm or something like that. I'm trying
to find a way here compromise, but I'm
having a hard time. Why should my
families enjoyment of our community
have to be affected by someone's else
choices, when the can do it in the
privacy of their own home? If a
business wants to allow it on their own
premises I can't stop them, but I can
choose not to give them my business.
I know it's not going to become
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 85
be spent to ensure people have the
right to smoke pot. What a cop out that
the federal government is leaving the
regulation of cannabis use to local
government. There should be more
leadership and continuity from the
federal level..
• It's going to be legal. Don't continue
treating a legal substance as though it
is illegal or taboo. People have been
using Cannabis for thousands of years,
including during the last century of
prohibition. It has never been
responsible for a single recorded
death, and it is my hope that the town
takes a relativlely open approach to
this matter.
• Not at this time but I think it should be
re visited 6 months after legalization.
• Regulated like alcohol and tobacco
• As long as we can smoke it on our own
property I have no problem. Also look
into a cannabis garden along with any
beer garden permit.
• Making sure it’s being used
responsibly and not illegally. Not
selling to children (always doing ID
checks)
• I think it should be banned in public
places and also banned around
playgrounds, schools, and any other
area that children, youth and adults
gather
• I have no problem with cannabis being
legalized for medical or recreational
use, however, if I go out in public I
should have the choice not to be
exposed to it. Alcohol is not allowed to
be consumed in public and neither
should cannibis (it would also being
amazing if smoking tobacco was not
allowed in public). There can be shops
or cafes or whatever (like there are
bars for alcohol, but those people
choose to go there and choose to be
exposed to it. Public spaces are shared
spaces and because of this it shouldn’t
be allowed.
• It should be made so as not to offend
others who may be in close proximity
rampant and an epidemic. I'm not
sounding the alarm and panicking
here, but consumption of cannabis is
much more invasive then cigarettes
and so I don't think it should be
allowed in our public spaces. I love
our town and I love to support local
business and I want to be able to do
that the years to come. Hopefully you
will come up with a solution that works
for all of us.
• Enforce it like you do tobacco
• Treat it just like smoking tobacco.
• I am concerned about the sale of
cannabis being in locations where
children and families will be exposed
to the store and clientelle
• The majority of people will not smoke
this in public. Those that want to will
be militant about it and intentionally
do it in public to make people angry.
The Town should take a leading role in
ensuring the safety of non-users and
make the rules on marijuana very strict
and to be fair make the rules on
tobacco more strict so that they align
(for example, none in public places,
etc)
• Should be regulated in the same
manner as cigarettes and vaping.
Should be punished when public
intoxication as would be done with
alcohol. Definitely should have
restrictions for schools during school
times, but not when facilities are used
for non school functions. COMMON
SENSE in regulating should prevail, not
prejudice around myths of use.
• More bylaw officers
Strict fines that are enforced with a
zero tolerance policy
• No
• No
• The same rules governing alcohol
consumption in public should apply to
cannabis consumption.
• Make them smoke it outside. Of town
limits
• Keep it simple and people will follow
all the laws. Make public smoking
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 86
as tobacco smoke is offensive to
others as well.
• No,but I’m so excited it’s finallly being
normalized and accepted!!
• Tax it at retail locations? Put funds
into new rec plex
• No
• Should be approached the same as
alcohol consumption
• I am in favor of legalization but it
should be treated like alcohol. Alcohol
is not allowed to be drank in public.
• Thanks for asking for input. Nanton
resident.
• Provide rules and regulations to
protect our youth and ensure that we
continue to foster a safe community.
• It should ABSOLUTELY NOT be allowed
to be used in any area of our
community where those under the
legal age to consume are present. IE
schools, parks, public recreation,
walking trails etc.
• Should be zero consumption in public
why should I or my kids need to smell
that and inhale 2nd hand smoke
• It should be allowed to be smoked in
public just not at parks or when
children are present. It's not the same
as drinking in public.
• I don’t like that we will have a store
down town, when we are trying to
make the down town core a nice
place,that is just going to bring in the
wrong crowds. I don’t mind the other
location by A & W, also keep the
amount of store to a limit 2 is more
then enough
• Differentiate between smoking or
vaping and consumption of edibles
and other products. The key is people
should not be exposed to smoke or
vape from someone else's
consumption
• Also zero tolerance driving under
effects or comsuption of cannabis
• Designated areas IF public
consumption happens.
areas it will help people become more
accepting of cannabis use if they see
its no different then people resonsibly
using alcohol
• think the whole legalization will come
back to haunt us.
• Move slowly with all decisions. Don't
let potential $$$ get in the way of clear
thought. Continue to let the public
have some say and keep us informed.
This is very new and will take time to
tweak through potential issues.
• STOP TRYING TO CONTROL
EVERYTHING!!!!!!
• Use common sense
• No keep it out of town. Thought High
River was a healthy lifestyle town. It's
not good for our next generation.
• I think there should be an exception
for events like "beer gardens" where
people can purchase a license, have
the area fenced off and consume in
public, but not bring their own product.
Product will be sold onsite like alcohol
would be.
• I don’t support the cannabis shop
downtown at all. These premises
should be away from the town
• If you make unfair bylaws, people will
not listen to them. Be reasonable
• Same as liquer
• Not in public
• Designated area's for cannabis use,
would help keep others' whom may not
agree with it at peace, while providing
a safe area for those whom use
cannabis.
• ban it from all public places especially
around minors under 18 years. If
cannabis must be used for medical
purposes it should be done at home
away from minors or in a medical
facility under supervision. Cannabis is
still an illegal drug in my mind despite
what the government says and I do not
support it's use in public at all.
• Fix your survey first.
• Because the smoke itself is so odorous
and you can get intoxicated from
Town of High River www.highriver.ca 87
• Common sense. If there are children
present is the only reason I see for
regulating use.
• no
• Regulation comes down to THC
content, which equates to alcohol
consumption. The act of smoking
cannibis should follow smoking bylaws.
Edibles are more difficult to regulate
around consumption. However if has
THC then similar to alcohol.
• I believe it should be the same as
smoking bylaws.
• this should be regulated just like
alcohol because it basically messes
with your judgement.
inhaling it , it should not be allowed to
be smoked in public.
• Don't allow it in public spaces. It sets
a bad example for young people and
allows them to think drugs are ok to
do.
• Other than the smoking of it I can't see
any other restrictions being required;
unless there's going to be a liquid
intoxicant and then that should be
controlled like liquor.
• Should be restricted to private
residences only. I prefer not to
breathe it in and I don't want my
children to either.
• Zero tolerance for public use of
cannabis, similar to public intoxication.
• I think it should be aloud in public like
smoking, but a few steps away as not
to blow it in others face..I think it
should be aloud to walk down the
street with it like cigarettes...I also
should add I have not smoked
cigarettes or marijuana for 9 years. So
I am not in favour with it but I also
don’t think that the legalization should
come with a bunch of new laws. I feel
like the bylaw and police are busy
enough.
• If it does not harm anyone, there is no
need for it to be strictly regulated
among adults.
• I think you have already made a
mistake with your laws regarding
cannabis store. They are allowed way
to close to schools and other areas
that have children. Please do NOT
make the same mistake with these
laws. Educating students is hard
enough these days, please consider
the children (all children under 18)
when creating these laws. It’s
important that everyone’s rights are
considered, not just those who want to
consume cannabis but also those of
us who do not want to expose
ourselves or our children to this. I feel
like the rights of those who want to buy
and consume cannabis are being
placed higher than those of us who
don’t. Unfortunately those creating the
• Make spaces for it that are away from
populated areas and places where
children would be near. The smell
travels far and it’s not always a
pleasant smell, of anything it shouldn’t
be allowed to be smoked unless away
from public or in your own property.
• In designated areas only, away from
anywhere children play (parks etc)
• Treat it much the same as consuming
alcohol. People should be allowed to
smoke cannabis on private property
and hopefully they will be courteous
enough to not be bothering their
neighbours with the smoke.
• I think it should be treated the same
as smoking and drinking alcohol
• Private property only for
smoking.please!
• Are marijuana coffee shops or pot
lounges going to be allowed?
• Do not put a store near a school. In my
opinion it should be a km away and
you should limit availability all
together. Come up a calculator for the
number of stores. Population is
15,000 and we assume 1 store per
1000 then we need 15 stores. Better
yet based on 5000 and only have 3
stores.
• Send them to Calgary I far enough
away
REPORT ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Cannabis Consumption Bylaw and Smoking Bylaw 88
laws will not be the people dealing with
the consequences.
• Only one chance to get it right and best
chance for it you’ll stick and rules to be
respected is right from the start. Also -
Better to have higher more restrictive
rules and ease them if needed over
time then it is to have lax rules and
strengthen them.
• Just do not allow it in public. My
health is important too and I should
not have to come in contact with it.
• As long as people arent hanging
outside of 7/11 smoking reefer 24/7 it
should go well
• I currently have a neighbour who
frequently sits out on his back step
and smokes cannabis. I have to go
inside as it is an offensive enough
smell to me and in the right wind I
actually will end up smelling of it if I
am sitting out in my yard. As a school
bus driver the last thing I need is to
show up at work smelling of pot. I’m
not sure how bi-law will address this
kind of issue
• Just keep the laws the same as
smoking tobacco
• Much like alcohol you can’t do it in
public end of story
• No public consumption period
• Cannabis is virtually harmless, and for
many people, is highly therapeutic.
Cannabis was made illegal for
ridiculous reasons, such as the oil
lobbyists fearing hemp would eliminate
the need for oil exploration. Bottom
line: cannabis is beneficial.
• Should be in the privacy of your home
and not in public. Inside of home so it
doesn't drift to neighbors that might
not want the smell in their home that
would come from smoking inside.
• ban all smoking in public places with in
town limits
• If I had my way it would be illegal
within 5kms of our town
• There is absolutely no need to allow
smoking cannabis in any public place
in town limits. High River is supposed
to be a family oriented community, and
parents should not have to constantly
explain the smell to their children
when walking around town. If people
want to smoke it, they can stay home
or go to a friends house. Keep it out of
public spaces!
• It should not be allowed where
children are allowed. This topic will
need to be revisited after October 17th,
say 6 months to see what’s working
and what’s not. Also, who’s to enforce
this ? Bylaw or RCMP ?
• There needs to be places where
people can consume this product. Not
in playgrounds, but on walking paths
side walks, etc. It cannot be compared
to alcohol as the effects are different
and the time to pass is shorter. This
will be difficult to find a happy
medium.
• Don’t allow it in any public places. Why
should non-drug users be forced to
smell it. It’s disgusting. Only losers do
drugs!
• I believe that the public consumption
of cannabis should be the same as
public consumption of
tabacco/cigarettes. It will be just as
legal as cigarettes, therefore it should
be treated the same.
• It should be thought of like alcohol and
smoking. It bothers others, and there
is still a potential for danger. It could
be laced with anything.
• Totally against it. Entry drug.
Dangerous for the youth. And unhappy
this is even a consideration.
• No
• Let people smile freely its ftom the
eatth