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Water discolouration or pressure loss may occur in the surrounding areas and within the District of Ucluelet. If... Cannabis Background
The federal government’s Cannabis Act achieved Royal Assent on June 21, 2018. The Act makes it legal for adults in Canada to possess, grow or use cannabis for medicinal and recreational purposes from October 17, 2018.
The Province of British Columbia has published the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act (CCLA), which sets out the regulatory framework for the legal and responsible use of cannabis within BC. The Act is guided by the Province’s priorities to:
• Protect children and youth
• Promote health and safety
• Keep criminal elements out of cannabis
• Keep roads safe
• Support economic development
The Cannabis Control and Licensing Act:
• Sets 19 as the provincial minimum age to purchase sell or consume cannabis
• Allows adults to possess up to 30 grams of cannabis in a public place
• Prohibits cannabis smoking and vaping everywhere tobacco smoking and vaping are prohibited, as well as at playgrounds, sports fields, skate parks, and other places where children commonly gather
• Prohibits the use of cannabis on school properties and in vehicles
• Authorizes adults to grow up to four cannabis plants per household dwelling, but the plants must not be visible from public spaces off the property, and home cultivation will be banned in homes used for day care
• Establishes a cannabis retail licensing regime similar to the current licensing regime for liquor
• Provides enforcement authority to deal with illegal sales
• Creates a number of provincial cannabis offences which may result in a fine ranging from $2,000 to $100,000, imprisonment of three to 12 months, or both
• Where necessary, to comply with Charter Rights and human rights law, exemptions will provide to individuals who are federally authorized to purchase, possess and consume medical cannabis.
The District of Ucluelet has a number of potential roles which could include:
• Developing and amending bylaws
• Land use and zoning considerations
• Business licencing
• Monitoring, inspecting and enforcement
• Public education
• Public consultation
The District of Ucluelet’s Planning Department has developed these webpages to help you understand how the legalisation of cannabis will affect residents, businesses and visitors to Ucluelet.
These pages are intended as a resource for information on cannabis, so you can research cannabis use and legalisation. All information has been collated from official sources and includes links to the original material.
This page will be regularly updated as new information becomes available.
Protecting Youth and Children
The federal Cannabis Act and the provincial Cannabis Control and Licensing Act contain several measures that help prevent youth from accessing cannabis. Both Acts also establish new offences and strict penalties for those who use youth to commit a cannabis offence.
Restrictions designed to protect youth include:
• No person may sell or provide cannabis to any person under the age of 19
• No person shall use a youth to commit a cannabis-related offence
• Products and accessories that are appealing to youth are prohibited
• Packaging or labelling cannabis in such a way that makes it appealing to youth is prohibited
• Cannabis cannot be sold through self-service displays or vending machines
• Cannabis cannot be promoted in areas where youth will see the promotion
• Cannabis smoking and vaping is prohibited everywhere tobacco smoking and vaping are prohibited, as well as at playgrounds, sports fields, skate parks, and other places where children commonly gather;
• Cannabis use is prohibited on school properties and in vehicles
Penalties for violating these prohibitions include fines and jail sentences.
Public Health and Education
Federal and provincial governments share responsibility for overseeing the proposed new system.
The Federal government has committed to develop:
• strict requirements for producers who grow and manufacture cannabis
• industry-wide rules and standards, including:
- types of cannabis products available for sale
- packaging and labelling requirements for products
- standardized serving sizes and potency
- prohibitions on the use of certain ingredients
- good production practices
- tracking requirements of cannabis from seed to sale to keep it out of the illegal market
- restrictions on promotional activities
In addition to ensuring public health through regulations and standard, the Canadian Government has committed nearly $46 million dollars for raising public awareness and educating the public on cannabis use. Much of this spending will be directed towards youth programs highlighting the health and safety risks of consuming cannabis. Youth education is a particular priority for the federal government as research shows that many young people do not understand the risks associated with cannabis use. One such current campaign is Don’t Drive High which highlights the risks of driving after taking drugs.
View the Don't Drive High Video
The Province of BC has added additional public health measures in their new laws including:
• Increasing the minimum age for cannabis possession and use to 19 years
• Prohibiting cannabis smoking and vaping everywhere tobacco smoking and vaping are prohibited, as well as at playgrounds, sports fields, skate parks, and other places where children commonly gather
• Prohibiting the use of cannabis on school properties and in vehicles
• Prohibiting cultivation of cannabis in homes used as day-cares
The District of Ucluelet will have a role in public engagement and education. The District will be working to raise awareness of cannabis without exaggerating the risks, or assuming that consumption is a completely risk free activity. Our approach will look to address local usage and concerns.
More information on the effects of cannabis on youth can be found on our Youth and Cannabis page.