Calgary Cannabis Club advocating for more public places to consume pot

CALGARY — The Calgary Cannabis Club wants to see more public places in the city allow for public pot consumption.

Under the current City of Calgary bylaw you can only smoke or vape on private property and there is nowhere you can consume in public.

In Edmonton, people can smoke or vape cannabis wherever tobacco smoking is allowed. Toronto and Ottawa have similar rules.

Neil Linton, the events director of the Calgary Cannabis Club, argues that Calgary should follow those same guidelines.

---

READ MORE:

• Nenshi, departing councillors say goodbye at City Hall

• $6M unspent, 2,200+ local businesses claim money as part of business relaunch grant program

• Fluoride in drinking water benefits children’s dental health: U of C study

---

“We really feel it’s unfair for the electoral voters of the City of Calgary to have zero places to consume cannabis. It’s unfair for us as cannabis consumers; medical or recreational,” said Linton.

The group has launched a petition to bring to City Council asking for the bylaw to be changed so that cannabis can be consumed wherever tobacco consumption is permitted in Calgary.

Linton is hopeful that with some new faces joining council after the Oct. 18 municipal vote, there may be some councillors who support the move.

He believes most people would still be respectful when smoking if the bylaw were to be changed.

“You’re not expected to be on a patio smoking a cigarette, you’re not expected to be within 10 feet of a doorway smoking a cigarette, we would ask for the same considerations.”