Changes coming to local bylaws, Criminal Code
Local RCMP will have a busy summer preparing for the legalization of cannabis in October.
Kelowna's Superintendent Brent Mundle says there's lots of new ground to get familiar with.
"We're starting to prepare our officers – we're going to have new training programs coming out to educate them with respect to the new Crimnal Code offences, and the changes with regards to drug impaired driving. So there's going to be a huge education piece over the next few months getting our officers up to speed," he said.
He says the province's plan to manage retail regulation will take a load off.
"Those locations are all going to be provincially, and in some cases municipally, regulated through bylaws. So the province is stepping forth and hiring similar (positions) to our liquor inspectors, to deal with those types of locations as it unfolds. So I think that's going to be very helpful for us."
He says the police force is also waiting on new provincial legislation that will deal with enforcement.
In spite of that, Mundle says the fact we're swinging into summer means there are some more important things happening locally.
"It's our busiest time of year, obviously. I think even over the last month, we've seen our call volumes starting to increase a little bit earlier than normal. So we are expecting a busy summer, and we'll certainly be out in force on Canada Day, to make that a happy and safe event for everyone."
Marijuana will become legalized across the country on October 17.
