Legislation sets out rules similar to using / having alcohol in vehicles

It was a busy day at the Manitoba Legislature as the Tory government introduced a number of bills including Bill 25 the Cannabis Harm Prevention Act.

“This legislation would be an early step by our government to target drug-impaired driving and prioritize the health and safety of Manitoba youth,” said Justice Minister Heather Stefanson.  “As the federal government moves to legalize cannabis, our government is focused on the safety and health of all Manitobans.”

It is expected that the government of Canada will introduce legislation to legalize marijuana later this Spring. The Manitoba legislation would provide tools for enforcement and public health until the federal legislation is proclaimed. 

The proposed legislation would provide for significant changes to The Highway Traffic Act and related legislation to ensure police agencies are better equipped to deal with drug-impaired drivers.  Specifically, the new legislation would:

• allow for 24-hour driver’s license suspensions if a police officer believes the driver is under the influence of a drug and unable to safely operate a motor vehicle;
• require the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to determine if graduated licensed drivers who receive the 24-hour suspension should face further consequences;
• create an offence for consuming marijuana in or on a vehicle that is on a highway;
• require marijuana to be stored in a secure compartment – for example, the vehicle’s trunk – so that it is inaccessible to people in the vehicle, similar to the rules around open liquor; and
• establish similar restrictions and prohibitions related to marijuana use for individuals driving
• off-road vehicles.

“Drug-impaired drivers are a real threat to the public, which is why we support any mechanism governments can put in place to reduce the risk,” said Andrew Murie, chief executive officer, MADD Canada.  “Impaired driving is still a serious problem in Manitoba and across the country.  Manitoba’s legislation helps to send the message that driving under the influence of marijuana is dangerous and unacceptable.”

As part of Bill 25 a number of other acts would be amended to ensure they remain accurate and relevant including:

• The Non-Smokers Protection Act, that would prohibit smoking of marijuana or using an electronic cigarette in any enclosed public place or indoor workplace;
• The Public Schools Act, that would clarify that students using, possessing or being under the influence of marijuana while at school could still face disciplinary consequences even if the federal government legalizes marijuana;
• The Mental Health Act, that would ensure residential patients who are not allowed to receive illicit drugs will continue to be prohibited from obtaining marijuana; and
• The Child Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking Act, that would ensure the legislation continues to apply to individuals who use marijuana as a tool to exploit or traffic another person.

-News4 Staff-

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