The chief of Guelph police says there’s still a lot of work to be done in a short period of time before recreational marijuana is legalized in Canada.
In an interview with CJOY News, Chief Jeff DeRuyter said there are still many challenges ahead of the July 1, 2018, deadline, especially when it comes to impaired drivers.
“We definitely will need more officers trained when we look at field sobriety,” DeRuyter said. “The federal government has made it known that there will be money made available, but it’s the details that we need as far as getting this training in place (so) that our officers have the tools, that they can enforce the legislation.”
RELATED: Ontario introducing tougher laws, stiffer penalties for drug-impaired drivers
DeRuyter didn’t have an exact number, but said only a small group of officers have been sent to Arizona for specialized training. With recreational marijuana being legalized next year, DeRuyter wants to see that training in Canada.
“Having to travel to the States limits both the number of people and the cost increases,” he said while mentioning that an officer isn’t always around for a field sobriety test. “At times we will call in officers or rely on our neighbouring police services and likewise, we’ll support them.”
READ MORE: VPD Chief says Vancouver will be ready for legal pot
A learning curve is also expected for officers across Canada, including Guelph, with new legislation being put in place, including tougher penalties for impaired drivers announced by Premier Kathleen Wynne earlier this week.
The laws, to be introduced this fall, will include zero tolerance for those aged 21 and under, novice drivers, all commercial drivers who have any detectable presence of drugs or alcohol in their system.
“When the rules change, we need to make sure our officers are clear,” DeRuyter said and added he does have some concerns about people being allowed to grow four marijuana plants indoors.
“There are some issues with that, both healthwise and the risk it may be in terms of being targeted by people,” he said.
RELATED: Canadian police forces ask government to postpone legal marijuana date past July 2018
The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police has called on the federal government to postpone the legalization date. DeRuyter throws his support behind that.
“(We) just want to make sure everything in place before we really know — can we meet those deadlines and how are we impacted,” he said.
BELOW: Just over a week after the Ontario government announced its plan to distribute and sell recreational marijuana, the Wynne government says it also plans to introduce tough new penalties for drug-impaired drivers. Sean O’Shea reports.
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