Cannabis users caught breaking Manitoba law after legalization next month could face one of several newly announced fines.
A series of financial penalties were announced by the Government of Manitoba on Sept. 13.
Most of the fines closely follow fines for unlawful alcohol consumption and possession. The fines will go into effect after Oct. 17, the date cannabis is slated to become legal in Canada.
A person caught supplying cannabis to a person under age 19 or someone growing non-medical cannabis in a Manitoba home will both face fines of $2,542, the largest of the fine amounts announced.
People caught smoking or vaping cannabis or cannabis products in provincial parks will face a $672 fine. Anyone caught consuming cannabis in a vehicle on a highway or in an off-road vehicle will also be fined $672.
Any driver carrying cannabis improperly stored in or on a vehicle will see a $237 fine.
Drivers suspected of driving under the influence of cannabis will be subject to a drug screening test, much like suspected drunk or otherwise impaired drivers.
If a supervising driver fails a drug test, they will face a $672 fine. Novice drivers who fail a drug-screening test will be fined $113.
Since the fines have been established with preset amounts, anyone caught committing a fineable offence can choose to pay their fine without appearing in court.
A similar list of fines for Saskatchewan was released in July.
Under the new Saskatchewan regulations, anyone who uses cannabis in public, has it or sells it in public or has or uses it in a campground where it is prohibited faces a $200 fine.
Minors caught buying, selling, consuming or possessing cannabis will be fined $300, with another $300 fine issued for anyone who either unlawfully possesses, consumes or distributes cannabis in a vehicle. A person caught selling or giving cannabis to someone under the age of 19 will be fined $750. A $1,000 fine will be handed down to anyone who is found consuming cannabis at a school or childcare location.
Saskatchewan’s largest cannabis fine, a $2,250 penalty, will be handed down if an employee of a licensed retail location either sells cannabis to someone under the age of 19 or does not demand identification for a customer who appears underage.
