First Canadian arrested for 'toking and driving' one hour after legalisation of cannabis
Winnipeg police arrested a suspect on charges of driving while high just hours after Canada legalised cannabis on Wednesday, 17 October.
Canada legalised recreational cannabis on Wednesday, 17 October, but there are still terms and conditions for its use in public. One of these is the ban on driving with weed in your possession and driving while smoking.
At 01:00 on Wednesday, the Winnipeg Police arrested a driver for travelling while high.
So … this happened early this morning: A Consume Cannabis in a Motor Vehicle ticket was issued. Just like alcohol, consuming cannabis is legal - and like alcohol, consuming it in your vehicle is **not**. #KnowYourRole pic.twitter.com/RR9AUBv4RN
— Winnipeg Police (@wpgpolice) October 17, 2018
The driver had to pay a $672 fine. Inspector Gord Spado couldn't believe that the first violation came so early: "An hour into legality, and something illegal."
The driver was not taken into police custody, but this arrest is a warning to any other overzealous weed users: legalisation doesn't give you free reign.