Canadians woke up this morning to a new era of legal recreational cannabis for the country.
In B.C., 19 years of age is the legal limit to purchase and consume cannabis. Consumers are now allowed to possess up to 30 grams of cannabis in public.
However, where consumers are allowed to smoke or vape cannabis can potentially vary from city to city.
West Kelowna has taken one of the most strict stances on public consumption, issuing a $500 fine for smoking or vaping cannabis anywhere except on private property.
Across the bridge, Kelowna is one of the few municipalities to allow open consumption in most public spaces.
Many municipalities have yet to finalize their own specific rules, instead choosing to follow provincial regulations.
Penticton
The City of Penticton is asking people to follow the provincial government's legislation under Bill 30 - 2018.
That legislation dictates a person must not smoke or vape cannabis:
In or on school property or within a prescribed distance from school property
Near a doorway, window or air intake of a public place
In or at a bus stop or similar place marked for passenger loading or unloading
The City of Penticton has yet to announce what type of fine will be issued for breaking regulation.
For more information, click here.
Kelowna
The City of Kelowna permits smoking or vaping of cannabis on private property that allows it and anywhere smoking tobacco is permitted.
Smoking is not permitted in parks, public spaces or within six metres of doorways, including sidewalk patios, bus shelters and boat launches.
Cannabis smoking at Kelowna International Airport will be permitted in designated smoking areas.
For more information, click here.
West Kelowna
Cannabis consumption in West Kelowna will be restricted to private places only.
A fine of $500 has been established for smoking or vaping cannabis anywhere except on private property.
For more information, click here.
Lake Country
Cannabis consumption in Lake Country will be restricted to private property only.
All public spaces, all common spaces, all parks, all transit stops in Lake Country are non-smoking.
For more information, click here.
Vernon
Vernon will allow public consumption of cannabis on roadways and sidewalks, along with designated smoking/vaping areas.
Cannabis consumption is prohibited in all public places outside of designated areas.
Non-smoking/non-vaping areas include the downtown transit exchange, all transit stops and lake-access sites within the City of Vernon.
The city expects to have adopted official bylaws by January of 2019, at which time bylaw officers will be able to issue tickets.
B.C.'s only "brick and mortar" retail cannabis store is located in Kamloops, meaning the rest of the province will purchasing cannabis online for the foreseeable future.
For more information about B.C.'s rules and regulations on cannabis, click here.
