It’s not uncommon, while enjoying the tunes at an outdoor concert, to get a whiff of cannabis smoke, wafting over the crowd. Nor, in Calgary, is it illegal.
But, while you can buy a Bud beer or other favourite beverage at adults-only outdoor events in Calgary, you cannot buy your favourite bud smoke at the events.
But you can have it delivered.
Many outdoor event organizers in Calgary have areas where you can smoke ‘em if you got ‘em. In these areas are vendors who will take your order for weed, you pay for it on your phone, and the local cannabis emporium will deliver your order.
Only in Calgary, you ask?
Yes, only in Calgary, because at outdoor events anywhere else in Alberta, cannabis products can be purchased on site, as of last year.
But, last week, Calgary Ward 11 Cllr. Kourtney Penner said she would bring forward a motion to council this week that would legalize on-site sales, bringing Calgary in line with Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) rules in the rest of Alberta.
“What this (would do) is level the playing field between cannabis and alcohol,” she said. “This is really just about enabling business and creating opportunity for businesses that are legally permissible.”
Penner said events such Badlands Music Festival, Chasing Summer and the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival could benefit from having the law in Calgary changed.
And the local law may soon be going up in smoke as the motion passed its first test on Tuesday at a meeting of Calgary City Council’s Executive Committee, lighting up council and getting the ‘high’ five by a vote of 9-to-1, with only Cllr. Dan McLean opposed.
The motion specifically points out permits would only be issued to existing retail cannabis stores that have an approved AGLC licence and extend only to minor-prohibited events. It also says the law would affect fewer than 10 major events in Calgary this year.
The vote on Tuesday did not amend the law in Calgary, but sent the motion to a technical review on Feb.18, then it will go to council for debate on Feb. 25.
