Rimbey town council’s smoking bylaw did not pass the final hurdle, but the issue was discussed in length at its Dec. 11 meeting and council agreed to give it second reading.
Council also discussed the questionnaire about the smoking bylaw which was made available to the public last month. An open house regarding the smoking bylaw was held Nov. 14.
A total of 32 questionnaires were returned to administration by Nov. 23.
The answers to the questions were varied.
The majority of those returning the questionnaire (87 per cent) said there should not be a designated location within the town to smoke cannabis.
“No public funds should be utilized to rent or own a property for the purpose of smoking cannabis — ever. If a private individual should want to provide a separate location from their own home, to provide a location for ‘pot’ smoking that property should have certain bylaws set for maintenance/insurance of property; maintenance of public behaviour (avoid loitering etc. causing neighbour problems). The persons who enjoy this activity should continue as they have before cannabis being made legal,” was one of the comments on the questionnaire.
Other comments on the returned questionnaires:
“Cannabis smokers are not a special interest group.
We don’t provide a place to smoke cigarettes, why on earth would you use my taxpayers money to smoke cannabis? This is definitely a stupid idea. They can smoke at home. I am dead against providing a place so people can smoke cannabis. I think my taxpayer’s money can be spent elsewhere. Cannabis should be smoked in your own home.”
Other suggestions included having stronger language in the bylaw.
“The verb smoking should be replaced with consuming so that there is no ambiguity regarding sniffing and chewable tobacco products. Consumption of tobacco should include and refer to smoking, sniffing and chewing.”
Council agreed the public had a misconception about providing a space for cannabis smokers. They stressed that their intention was not to provide a building, but simply to designate a smoke free area for cannabis smokers.
Council removed the section in the bylaw relating to signs and also agreed to adhere to the provincial ruling of not smoking cannabis less than five meters from an entrance or exit to a public building.
Council’s next meeting will be on Jan. 8 at 5 p.m. Council will hold an open forum on January 15 at 7 p.m. at the Peter Lougheed Community Centre where the public can voice questions and/or concerns. On Jan. 22 at 1 p.m. at a council meeting they will look at giving the smoking bylaw third reading.