BOW VALLEY – The prohibition on the recreational use of cannabis is officially over.
At the stroke of midnight on Oct. 17, Canada made history becoming only the second country in the world to legalize the recreational use of cannabis.
The historic moment was years in the making and makes good on one of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s key election promises.
While the consumption of cannabis is now legal, both Banff and Canmore have opted to ban the public use of cannabis within each townsite.
In Banff National Park and Kananaskis Country, people will be allowed to smoke or vape weed in public, however there are still a number of restrictions.
Public consumption will also be allowed in the Municipal District of Bighorn, which includes the hamlets of Harvie Heights, Dead Man’s Flats, Lac Des Arcs and Exshaw.
Legalization ends 95 years of prohibition, however many concerns remain, including the long-term health impacts caused by smoking or vaping cannabis and keeping the drug out of the hands of children.
As of Oct. 17, only 17 cannabis stores in Alberta were legally allowed to sell weed – none of which are located in the Bow Valley.
That is likely to change in the coming weeks and months as Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis Commission approves more retail licenses.
Currently, the Town of Canmore has approved six retail locations, while it will likely be several more months before the Town of Banff approves any retail stores.
For more details on this historic moment and what it means for residents in the Bow Valley turn to pages 4 and 5.
