Marijuana isn’t an illegal substance in Vancouver (or anywhere in Canada), but some specific locations don’t have the green light for consumption from the government.
Vancouver criminal law lawyer Kyla Lee says smoking cannabis is permitted nearly anywhere people are legally allowed to smoke cigarettes, even if children might be around.
“The exception to that is any areas abutting school property – so sidewalks and roadways and walking paths alongside schools,” Lee tells V.I.A.
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There is “an outright ban on smoking cannabis in vehicles,” so folks looking to spark up in parked cars may want to think twice, explains the lawyer. It is also illegal to operate a vehicle with someone smoking in it.
“It is arguable that this may not apply if you’re on your own private property, but the Act defines operation as ‘being in care and control’ so that would include sitting in a parked vehicle,” Lee notes.
“The definition of ‘public place’ includes vehicles that are in view of the public. So your vehicle would have to be parked really far away from the road and behind something, or in your garage.”
People can drive with cannabis in a vehicle (that they aren’t smoking) but it must be stored in sealed government packaging.
Minors may not operate vehicles that have cannabis in them, even if it is stored in sealed government packages, and out of reach of them or anyone else, Lee adds.
