Talking with Your Clients: Regulations and Impaired Driving

KEY TALKING POINTS AND RESOURCES TO HELP YOU IN CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUR CLIENTS

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CANNABIS: WHAT IS LEGAL?

• It is a legal product in Canada for those 19 and older.
• It is illegal to provide cannabis to a minor under 19 years of age.
• You are able to possess a maximum of 30 grams (about one ounce) of dried cannabis (or equivalent) in public.
• Legal products can be purchased online from the Ontario Cannabis Store. Private retail stores have begun to open in select cities in Ontario.
• Edible products will not be legal to buy or sell until late 2019.

WHERE IS CANNABIS USE PROHIBITED?

• In general, you cannot smoke or vape medical or non-medical cannabis anywhere tobacco use is prohibited.
• Additionally, medical or non-medical cannabis cannot be used in any form (i.e., smoked, vaped, eaten, etc.) in a motor vehicle. Exception: an authorized medical cannabis user, who is NOT driving or in control of a vehicle, may use non-smoked or non-vaped forms of cannabis.
• Other places where the smoking or vaping of non-medical or medical cannabis, or tobacco is not allowed under the Smoke Free Ontario Act:
  • Enclosed public places, enclosed workplaces and other sheltered areas with a roof and more than two walls (such as bus shelters).
  • Vehicles and boats being driven or under someone’s care or control.
  • Indoor common areas in condominiums, apartment buildings and university/college residences.
  • Restaurant and bar patios and areas within nine metres of a patio.
  • Publicly-owned sporting areas, spectator areas, community rec centres, schools and school grounds, and public areas within 20 metres of those grounds.
  • Reserved seating areas of outdoor sports or entertainment venues. 
  • Schools and school grounds, and public areas within 20 metres of those grounds.
  • Children’s playgrounds and public areas within 20 metres of playgrounds.
  • Child care centres, and places where an early years program is provided.
  • Places where home child care is provided, regardless of whether children are present.
  • Outdoor grounds of public hospitals, private hospitals, psychiatric facilities.

Municipal smoke free by-laws also prohibit smoking on municipally owned properties such as in parks, conservation areas, beaches and marinas.

Cannabis: Your Questions Answered – Know the Laws website (WECHU, 2018) 
Smoke-Free Ontario Act: What is it? website (WECHU, 2018)

THE EFFECTS OF CANNABIS ON DRIVING

Using cannabis impairs your driving ability because it:

• slows reaction time,
• makes it hard to focus and track moving objects,
• reduces co-ordination, and
• distorts perception of space.

You should wait at least 6 hours after using a cannabis product before driving.

CANNABIS-IMPAIRED DRIVING LAWS

• Driving impaired by cannabis (non-medical or medical) is dangerous and illegal.
• Cannabis cannot be accessible in a motor vehicle. It must be stored away from the driver and passengers (i.e., in the trunk, similar to rules about alcohol possession).
• If you are caught driving impaired, you could face jail time, fines, and license suspension.
• You cannot have ANY drugs or alcohol in your system (i.e., zero tolerance) if you are:
  • under 21,
  • have a G1, G2, M1 or M2 license, or
  • if you are a commercial driver

Will Cannabis Use Affect My Driving? (WECHU 2018)

GETTING HELP WITH SUBSTANCE USE

Urgent help

• Windsor-Essex Crisis Line: 519-973-4435 (24 hour/7 days a week) 
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 www.kidshelpphone.ca (phone or online chat counselling, English and French)
• If unintentional ingestion or bad reaction, call 911 or the Ontario Poison Centre: 1-800-268-9017

Find local treatment services

• Visit a directory of helplines and local treatment services for mental health and addictions. Can download and print a Treatment Options Brochure from this page
• Call Connex Ontario: 1-866-531-2600 www.connexontario.ca (24/7 support in 100+ languages)