LOCAL NEWS
April 30, 2018 | The Vermilion Voice
“Cannabis Let’s Talk Alberta”
Angela Mouly Reporter
Two sessions of the “Cannabis Let’s Talk Alberta” meeting were held at the Vermilion Regional Centre on April 24. Carol Coleman and Keily Stetson shared information and resources, and community members and representatives had the oppor tunity to openly discuss the new legislation and what they would like to see for Vermilion. According to Alberta.ca, the province aims to limit the illegal market for cannabis; keep cannabis out of the hands of children; protect public health; and promote safety on roads, in workplaces, and in public spaces. Cannabis retailer s will have to be located 100 meters away from schools and provincial health care facilities. Legislation will only allow consumption of the leaf or bud portions of the plant; oils are currently not included. The Province of Alberta has released that upon legalization, the minimum age for cannabis purchase or possession will be 18 years of age. Minors caught with 5g, or less will face sanctions similar to underage possession of alcohol or tobacco, and for amounts over 5g would continue being subject to federal criminal charges. For adults, 30g will be the weight permitted for possession, and both in-store and online purchases. Adults can grow up to four plants per househ o l d p e n d i n g l an d l or d an d te n ant agreements or condo bylaws for grow-
ing and consumption. Pending these same arrangements, adults will be permitted to smoke, or vape cannabis at home or in some public places; but not in vehicles, any cannabis retail outlets, anywhere smoking or vaping tobacco is already prohibited, or in specific areas frequented by children including school and hospital properties and within five metres of skate parks, spray parks and playgrounds. Driving while impaired by cannabis will result in license suspensions and vehicle seizures, and those with a Graduated Driver’s License will have zero tolerance. Throughout the meetings, participants shared positive, negative or indif ferent cannabis use experiences of themselves or people they k n e w. S o m e d i s c u s s i o n i n c l u d e d health benefits, health risks, ensuring comfort and respect in different scenarios including at home or in the yard, at work, campgrounds, etc. Many were able to understand better other perspectives surrounding cannabis. According to the Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines, Canada has among the highest cannabis use rates in the world and is common especially among adolescents and young adults. They have well documented immediate and long-term risks from cannabis use. With brain development not completed until the mid 20’s, they noted mental health and education problems associated with cannabis
use in youth, and pulmonary-bronchial problems associated with smoking combusted cannabis. Noting that ever yone is af fected differently, they recommend people not drive for six hours after use. Their recommendations include that individuals with a predisposition for or a firstdegree family member with psychosis and substance use disorders as well as pregnant women should refrain from using cannabis. At the end of the sessions, quest i o n n a i r e s we r e s u b m i t te d vo l u n tarily to be pooled across Alberta and Canada into one final document. In Alberta, Lloydminster Drug Strategy and Alberta Health Service’s Provincial Addiction Prevention team part-
nered together and will be submitting the area information to Health Canada and the University of Victoria’s Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research. Areas of responsibilit y following the federal legalization of cannabis, for municipalities, will include educat i o n, t a x at i o n, r e t a i l l o c at i o n a n d rules, public consumption, as well as land use and zoning. Councillor Pulyk mentioned the possibility after a municipal draft is made, that they may seek public opinion. Overall, attendees enjoyed learning more about the subject and look forward to more details as municipalities divulge what will come into place in the area.
From left, Neil Harris, Keily Stetson, Carol Coleman, and Justin Thompson at the “Cannabis Let’s Talk Alberta” meeting in Vermilion on April 24. Photo Angela Mouly
6th Annual President’s Gala Raises Over $72,000
Lakeland College Submitted
(Lloydminster, Alta.) – It’s the best year yet for Lakeland College’s sixth annual President’s Gala –presented by Eagle Builders. The 2018 President’s Gala raised over $72 ,0 0 0, to p p i n g l a s t ye ar ’s fundraising total of $56,000. The proceeds from the gala will help build the Support Our Students (SOS) Bursary. “This outcome wouldn’t be possible without the support of our sponsors, guests and friends of the college. We’re truly thankful for their generous contributions and making a lasting impact in the lives of Lakel a n d s t u d e n t s ,” s ay s A l i c e Wa i n wright-Stewart, Lakeland’s president and CEO. “Ever y bit counts for our students. These funds will help alleviate the financial stress that comes with funding a post-secondary education, and our students will be able to focus on leading in their studies rather than surviving.” The SOS Bursar y is inclusive to
Clandonald ECS
all students and will help them over- the live and silent auction items. meal, live and silent auctions, a luxury come financial challenges, and grow P r e s i d e n t ’s G a l a g u e s t s w e r e raffle, and a per formance by CanaLakeland’s student awards program. enchanted in the secret garden where da’s Queen of R&B Soul, Jully Black, In the most recent bursary application they enjoyed a four-course gourmet presented by Newcap Broadcasting. process, Lakeland received 260 applications. Of these applications, only 121 received funding. “The SOS Bursar y will change the lives of Lakeland students. We’ll continue to step out of our comfor t zones, tackle new experiences and excel without the barrier of financial burden,” Matt Peck, gala co-emcee and business student, said during the President’s Gala. “The hands-on courses, labs and other opportunities have helped me to grow as a leader. Being par t of an event like this and seeing the support makes me incredibly proud to be a student, Rustler and soon, a Lakeland alumnus.” Peck co-emceed the gala with fellow stud ent Stephanie Wakefield, and both exemplified Lakeland’s commitHarriet Hammer Accent Lighting & Power Pro Electric Rick & Julie Evans ment to creating leadership opportuHerzog Auto Body Agland – Lloydminster Rick & Murray Evans Farming nities. Lakeland students took part in Hooper Contracting BAR Engineering Round Corner Welding the gala in many other ways, including as greeters, servers, and sponsors of Integra Tire Baywash Oilfield Services Schiller & Associates Private Wealth
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE Kitscoty Community Dinner Theater
How the Other Half Dies
We are grateful to all of you who came to the show & to our many sponsors:
SPRING SALE
will be holding their
Kindergarten Registration On Monday, May 1st at 7.00 p.m. in the Clandonald School Kindergarten Room
For all children 5 years of age by December 31, 2018 Please bring your child’s birth certificate and Alberta Health Care card For further information please contact Stacey Nelson at 780-853-2273
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CATTLE MINERAL 1:1, 2:1, AND 3:1 With complete VITAMIN PACKAGE ON EXISTING INVENTORY ONLY Contact: Lonnie @ 780-787-4991
JSK SALES & SERVICE Vermilion, Alberta T0B 2W0
Ireland Farm Equipment C & J Custom Truck Management Larry & Kathy Paul Castle Garden Greenhouse Servus Credit Union Les & Marilyn Mitchell Crop Production Services – Vermilion Sherwood Brothers Lloyd Wine Outfitters Ltd Culligan Lloydminster Snelgrove Construction Ltd Lloydminster Animal Hospital D & S Hiltz Farms Strippin ‘n Flippin Furniture Manual Metal Dewberry Dinner Theatre T & C Rentals Marie Beek & Lynn Tetz Greenhouse Earl Evans Farms Taku Gas Mason Agencies Elk Valley Ranches Terry Throndson Welding Mitchco Environmental Service F’Laura ‘n Company The Blonde Door Newcap Fabutan Sun Tan Studios Tingley’s Harvest Center Norma’s Therapeutic Practice Flaman Rentals Viterra –Vermilion O’Neill Family Gary & Wendy Miller Webb’s of Vermilion Ray & Phyllis Pickard Glencoe Developments Weir’s Veterinary Clinic Rene Moreau Gwen Bodnar, Investors Group Ye Old Fire Station
Thanks to the countless volunteers who helped create
A FUN FILLED COMMUNITY EVENT! Proceeds from the show support Kitscoty Community Hall operations, community events and reduced rental rates for local non-profit groups. kitscotycommunityhall@hotmail.com Good Laughs, Great Food, Local Flavour,…Join in!