Pot-smoking Mountie returns red serge to RCMP

Video: An emotional Cpl. Ron Francis returns his red serge at the RCMP headquarters in Fredericton (Credit: The Canadian Press)

FREDERICTON – A New Brunswick Mountie who has run afoul of a policy that says RCMP officers can’t smoke medicinal marijuana while in uniform has returned his red serge.

Cpl. Ron Francis arrived today at the RCMP headquarters in Fredericton after he said he was ordered to return the dress uniform.

Francis, who was accompanied by a Maliseet elder, wept as he delivered the red serge.

READ MORE: Advocate says RCMP should allow Mountie to smoke medicinal pot in uniform

But he did not return a 20-year exemplary service medal he received, saying that was an honour he earned that cannot be taken away from him.

Reports say he was prescribed medicinal marijuana to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.

The RCMP says its officers who are prescribed medicinal marijuana should not be in red serge or regular uniform while taking their medication.

The force says that would not portray the right message to the public.