Smoking cannabis in public will not be allowed in Blackfalds among other municipalities including Lacombe in the province.

Mayor Richard Poole thinks that the municipalities have done a fair job in handling the legalization of marijuana and thinks their decision makes sense for the community.

"We think that it is fair for the cannabis; the feedback that we received was that they didn't want it in public places, what we decided was with the smoking bylaw it allows our law enforcement officers both bylaw and RCMP to be able to come up and educate the people in a much easier way." 

He says they based their viewpoint on the 15 people who were present at an open house to voice their concerns and makes it reasonable for enforcing.

“If someone is walking in a public spot smoking, then they will come over and talk to them and if they notice it’s cannabis they will educate them that it’s only allowed in private spots and if it’s only smoking than they just tell them that we have a new bylaw and that they will have to move to a roadway or sidewalk.”

This was decided at October 9 council meeting where the 2nd and 3rd readings of their smoking bylaw passed unanimously.

Smoking and vaping will be allowed on sidewalks as long as it is 5 meters from doorways and 10 meters from public spots.