Attention, Markham residents. You won’t be able to smoke cannabis in public anymore, making this city different from many others.
The city council of Markham held a special meeting today to establish new rules around cannabis just hours before it becomes legal.
From Markham Town Centre, where the city just passed the Cannabis By-law to prohibit smoking of Cannabis in public places! Mayor of Markham said: “Yes, it’s legalized but NO, you can not smoke it in Markham!” #Cannabis Legalization #Cannabis News pic. twitter. com/47u Ck8Az3J
– Shaarmina Rodrigo (@Shaarmina R) October 16, 2018
The city had previously indicated that retail stores might also be banned, a decision that the provincial government allowed municipal governments in Ontario to make.
Hi Bart! Markham’s Cannabis By-Law is an extra restriction for cannabis users who must also follow Ontario’s Smoke-Free Act. Yes, sidewalks and municipal boulevards are included in Markham’s Cannabis By-Law definition of public place.
– Jennifer Wan (@Vote JWANMarkham) October 16, 2018
Markham’s city council has made it clear that smoking weed will need to happen privately, aligning with laws suggested by the previous Liberal provincial government. The new PC government removed those restrictions and allows public use.
It seems that cannabis fans in Markham won’t be able to enjoy any public celebrations. At least not legally.
