Smoking cannabis in public is not easy for Calgarians

Calgary is one of the few provinces in Canada that does not allow cannabis smoking in public. Right next door, Edmonton allows smoking cannabis, recreational or medical products, anywhere cigarette smoking is allowed. Why is cannabis smoking treated so differently from cigarette smoking? When it comes to smoking cannabis, far more negative attitudes are loudest. While most smokers are aware of the negative effects of secondhand smoke, cigarettes have designated areas designed to alleviate these concerns. Still, there are concerns among cannabis smokers and the fact that they are not treated fairly by comparison.

Cannabis smokers are just as aware as tobacco smokers when it comes to following the rules. So what’s the raid in Calgary?

Current statutes and Why Calgary is so far behind

Since legalization in 2018, the question has arisen why there are still delays in public use in this city. It is a question that remains unanswered. Many who smoke cannabis assume that it is legal in Calgary. And people seem to smoke it whether they think it’s legal or not.

According to the current Calgary City Bylaws, you are only allowed to smoke or vape on private property, and you cannot consume anywhere in public. Edmonton is in the same province as Calgary, but the statutes are not the same. In neighboring provinces such as British Columbia, the statutes state that you must not carry more than 30 grams with you in public. For cannabis use in public, smoking or vaping is prohibited in indoor public spaces, provincial parks, near schools, in vehicles, on boats, near bus stops, and within six meters of doorways, windows, or air intakes. In principle, smoking cannabis is allowed wherever cigarettes are allowed.

What do the non-smokers think?

Kelly Evans of downtown Calgary, who smokes both cigarettes and cannabis, says she doesn’t mind if people want to smoke – regardless of the substance. According to Evans: live and let live. Despite legal restrictions, she still sees and smells people who smoke cannabis everywhere. Evans says it’s not necessarily worse than people who smoke cigarettes. There is still smoking on the C-platforms, she says, although smoking cigarettes is not allowed either.

How can you help

The Calgary Cannabis Club is a Calgary-based not for profit that provides tools and resources for medical and recreational users. They also think it’s unfair that city voters are still not legally allowed to smoke cannabis in public. You can help the Calgary Cannabis Club organize for more sensible smoking laws by signing the petition.