By Ashley Legassic

No ‘reefer madness’ following legalization in Kamloops

Oct 29, 2018 | 1:41 PM

KAMLOOPS — Fears of increased crime and bylaw complaints in Kamloops following the legalization of cannabis appear to have been put to rest.

Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian questioned the RCMP detachment’s superintendent about any increases in crime since cannabis was legalized on Oct. 17, and the first government-run dispensary in the province opened in Kamloops.

“There was speculation that crime would be rampant and that we were going to have reefer madness in Kamloops,” Christian said to the city’s Officer in Charge at a Community Safety Meeting on Oct. 29. “Has there been any noticeable increase in crimes, in relation to recreational cannabis?”

Kamloops RCMP Supt. Syd Lecky answered with a firm ‘No’, and explained to reporters following the meeting that not much has changed within the city or the detachment since legalization.

“We knew what was coming, we’ve had processes in place to address impaired driving whether it be by alcohol or by drugs. It really was almost a seamless transition for us,” said Lecky. “Initially, there was people smoking in public and that sort of thing but until the bylaws are in place and whatever processes, (there’s) really not much of a concern for us.”

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There are still illegal marijuana dispensaries operating in the city, although Lecky wouldn’t confirm how many were still up and running. He said the detachment is taking a slightly relaxed approach to these businesses, but reiterated that RCMP would act if complaints were made.

“We’ll wait to… take our lead from the provincial agency that’s going to be looking after that, but once they’ve done their part — I’m not going to say we’ll never react, but we’ll react as needed and when needed, and we’ll take our lead in part from what’s happening elsewhere,” Lecky said. “There’s community interest, there’s our mayor and council, and our own intelligence too. So it all depends on what’s happening. Not everyone’s playing by the right rules, either.”