Marijuana is still illegal, Windsor police chief warns ahead of 4/20
Canada's government aims to allow adults to legally carry 30 grams of marijuana by next year
The federal government may be trying to legalize marijuana, but Windsor police will still arrest anyone caught smoking it illegally, said chief Al Frederick.
With several pro-pot events planned for the annual 4/20 celebration Thursday, the chief said anyone caught smoking the drug could be charged.
"Marijuana possession, marijuana trafficking is illegal in Canada. There's no ambiguity, no gray area, regardless of the legalization that is forthcoming," he said. "So anyone who is in possession of marijuana at any time between now and when it's legalized is subject to prosecution."
Windsor's first 4/20 Fest will be held Thursday afternoon. Attendees must be 18 or older and admission is a canned or dry good donation to support the region's food banks.
Preparations already underway for today's 4/20 Fest @ Charles Clark Square. <a href="https://t.co/R8hg8kAyGC">pic.twitter.com/R8hg8kAyGC</a>
—@CBCWindsorCanada's government aims to allow adults to carry 30 grams of marijuana on them by the beginning of next year.
As a border city, Windsor faces some special challenges when it comes to legalization, Frederick added.
"That creates a threat to Windsor residents who may forget that it's in their pocket, enter a foreign country and you're going to be arrested," he said. "The other thing I think is that you know we need the tools in which to detect impaired by drug, which is this case, considering marijuana. Those tools are not yet ... fully developed and they're not deployable."
