Waterloo region, Guelph police still developing pot use policies for officers - Action News
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Kitchener-Waterloo

Waterloo region, Guelph police still developing pot use policies for officers

With marijuana becoming legal in Canada in about two weeks, local police forces say they're still working on policies that will dictate how and when officers will be able to use the drug.

Marijuana becomes legal in Canada on Oct. 17

Waterloo regional police and Guelph police are currently working on policies surrounding marijuana use by officers. (Joe Mahoney/Canadian Press)

Waterloo regional police and Guelph police don't yet have a marijuana usepolicy for officers ahead of recreational legalisation.

Police services across the country are releasing their policies on whether or not officers can smoke marijuana while off-duty.

The Waterloo Regional Police Service is currently working on a policy internally and "seeking consultation across the province" through the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, force spokesperson Cherri Greeno said.

Insp. Cate Welsh of the Guelph Police Service says the policy is still in development and has not yet been approved.

She says there's no timeline to approve the policy, but "it is a priority for us."

Recreational marijuana will become legal in Canada on Oct. 17.

Last week, Calgary officers learned they will not be allowed to use marijuana after the Calgary Police Service issued an abstinence directive.

The union representing Calgary officers says it's unhappy with the policy.

In Vancouver, officers will be allowed to use pot and will need to self-evaluate whether they are fit for duty.

TheCanadian Forces hassaid members can't use cannabis within eight hours of being on duty.