During its regular meeting August 13, Cochrane Town Council approved a Cannabis Consumption Bylaw. Bylaw 29/2018 will become effective once legalization occurs October 17.

Prior to making the recommendations, Administration had consulted with the public through an online survey and public meeting to gather the community's preference on how Cochrane should accommodate the consumption of cannabis.

"Cochrane is in a great position to have all of its bylaws in place well before the Oct 17 legalization date," said Mayor Jeff Genung.

"Council considered a number of factors before reaching its decision. As well as the results from the survey, we also had to consider what was reasonable, implementable and enforceable."

Council voted in favour of prohibiting the public use of recreational cannabis in all public places in the Town of Cochrane, including the use of electronic smoking devices or vaping. The minimum fine is set at $200 for an offence.

In April of 2017, the Federal Government announced that consumption and retail sale of recreational cannabis would become legal in 2018; legalization will take effect in October 2018.