Tsuut'ina Nation hosts cannabis info session

Pot is legal in Canada, so now what?

That is the question many Canadians have two weeks after marijuana was legalizedand it's a question that was posed at the firstpotinformation session held on the Tsuut'inaNation since weed was legalized Oct. 17.

Tsuut'inaNation Police,Calgary police and Alberta Health Services partnered to host the event this week.The session focusedon the basics of cannabis, from buying it to consuming it.

Tips on how to use marijuana safely as well asthe rules surrounding pot on and off the reserve were also outlinedat the event.

Nick Moore of YouthLinkwas one of the presenters at the meeting.Moore says its important to talk about cannabis with Canadians because many use pot.

"Canadian youth are the leading consumers of cannabis in the developed world," Moore said.

Moore spent almost three hours speaking to more than 20 nation members about the basics of marijuana, the differentways it is used. He also discussed the different strains that can be bought and consumed.

Moore says that despite pot being legal, many people still have questions.

"There are marginalized populations with an increased risk," Moore said."The FN,LGBTQand particularly the young male demographic use cannabis more."

Tsuut'ina police Chief Keith Blake also spoke at the event. He says a recent vote to allow the manufacturing and sale of cannabis on the nation makes understanding pot even more important.

"The community had decided through that vote that they would allow for that to take place, so we have to be prepared for all of those things."

TheTsuut'inaNationPolice are responsible for enforcingfederal, provincial and nation laws on the reserve. It's a job thatBlake says will become more complex as development ramps up on the nation.

The First Nation is working on amultibillion-dollar developmentalong the edge of the ring road called Taza. It will include retail centres as well asentertainment and hospitality complexes.

Blake says there are"a lot of questions" in the community about what pot legalization means for the nation's members.

Christian Manywoundsis one of those with questions about weed. Manywoundscame to the event wondering where she would be allowed to smoke marijuana on nation land.

"If nation members were to have abetter understanding of where they can smoke and feel more safe without hesitation and legal about it," said Manywounds.

For its part, chief and council have decided to ban smoking pot on nation lands, except in homes.

Band members can apply for an exemption to hold events that allow pot smoking in public places.

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