MHPSD expresses concern over cannabis bylaw

By Jeremy Appel on September 26, 2018.

jappel@medicinehatnews.com @MHNJeremyAppel

The Medicine Hat Public School Division voted unanimously at its brief Wednesday meeting to express concern over a cannabis bylaw making its way through city council.

City council will debate at its Oct. 1 a motion put forward by city police to ban public consumption of cannabis, with an exception for special events. As it stands, the proposed bylaw would treat marijuana like tobacco, allowing outdoor public use.

“Should the city move ahead with the proposed bylaw, I can see that that would generate a number of issues that we could have to deal with,” said board chair Rick Massini.

“It would involve us having to discipline students, perhaps even suspend students.

“We’re in the business of keeping kids in classrooms and receiving an uninterrupted education.”

Massini called on the city to “reconsider” as a means of helping MHPSD “meet the needs of our kids.”

Trustee Celina Symmonds, a former city councillor, put forward the motion expressing unease about how the city’s approach to legal marijuana could impact MHPSD students.

The board “supports public health and the promotion of a positive community climate for children, youth and family,” she said.

“The board of trustees strongly endorses the position of the Medicine Hat Police Service and Alberta Health Service regarding broad and firm restrictions regarding the public consumption of recreational cannabis.”

Marijuana becomes legal across Canada on Oct. 17.

Enrolment appears to be slightly up

Deputy superintendent Lyle Cunningham said enrolment across MHPSD schools from kindergarten to Grade 12 increased by 1.1 per cent, or 80 students.

This keeps the total number of students enrolled at MHPSD schools consistent at roughly 7,100.

Official numbers aren’t released until next week, so Cunningham’s figures are preliminary.

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