College and university plan for cannabis legalization

By Zander Kelly

The legalization of cannabis is just around the corner and new regulations will affect everything from schools to businesses.

Ontario has incorporated cannabis into the Smoke-Free Ontario Act. This means people will be able to smoke cannabis in all locations that tobacco can be smoked, with the same restrictions that tobacco also has.

Ryan Flannagan, associate vice president of student excellence at the University of Windsor, says that the university’s designated smoking zones will allow cannabis in cooperation with the new regulation.

“We are moving towards a smoke-free campus within the next two years, but until then we will allow cannabis in our smoking zones,” said Flannagan. “We will make accommodations for medical users, however.”

John Fairley, the vice president of college communications & community relations at St.Clair College, says the college should have a statement out by the end of this week.

“Whether this is a smoke-free campus or not, those decisions have not been made… We want to be in line with other colleges,” said Fairley.

The Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association was also asked for a comment in regards to this situation. They have not formulated an approach to the legalization of cannabis and is unable to comment.

Cannabis will be legal in all of Canada on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018.