Sask. government establishes cannabis fines, including $200 ticket for smoking in public
Drivers caught smoking pot in vehicles will be subject to a fine of $300
The Saskatchewan government on Wednesday unveiled its fine structure around the sale and use of recreational marijuana, which will soon be legal.
"These new regulations that apply to cannabis are similar to current rules regarding alcohol," the government said in a news release.
The fines will range from $200 to $2,250.
The fines include:
- A $200 ticket for smoking in public or in a campground where there's a cannabis prohibition. The same fine applies for possessing or sharing more than 30 grams of dried pot in a public place.
- It's a $300 fine if you're a minor caught buying, using or sharing pot. The same amount applies if you're caught sharing or smoking in a vehicle.
- It's a $750 fine for anyone caught selling or giving cannabis to a minor.
- The stiffest fine, $2,250, is for people in licensed outlets caught selling to a minor, or not demanding proof of age.
The government says the fines will not kick in until the provincial act comes into effect this fall.
Until then, the recreational use of cannabis remains illegal.
Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority said it's beefing up staff on the enforcement side to deal with legalized pot.
New positions include a branch director, manager, four cannabis inspectors, four licensing specialists, a policy analyst, a financial analyst and part-time administrative support.
The positions are mix of permanent and two-year contracts.