The city of Edmonton, Alberta has only issued three tickets for violating cannabis bylaws since legalization, significantly less than the amount handed out for tobacco violations, according to a Global News report.
While there have only been three cannabis citations since legalization took place on October 17, 2018, there have been 73 tickets issued for tobacco smoking. Written warnings show a similar spread: 33 cannabis smoking warnings were issued and in the same time police issued 847 written warnings about illegal tobacco consumption.
Edmonton went through a long deliberative process in regards to public cannabis consumption. The city rules prevent smoking of any type — cannabis or tobacco — within 10 meters of windows, doors, and transit stops. There are also restrictions on consumption at places like parks with playgrounds, cemeteries, outdoor pools, and skating rinks. There are, however, some areas approved for public smoking, including cannabis.
Some speculate that the disparity in tickets for tobacco smoking and tickets for cannabis smoking is due only to the fact that cannabis has not been legal for very long. Only time will tell if citations will rise.
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