Saskatoon smoking bylaw now covers marijuana

Marijuana users in Saskatoon will have to follow the same rules as cigarette smokers after legalization.

At their regular monthly meeting on Monday, councillors voted unanimously to add marijuana to its current smoking bylaw. As a result, marijuana smoking or vaping won't be allowed in restaurants, bars, parks or city-operated facilities like SaskTel Centre.

Other marijuana-related issues, like zoning for newly legalized pot stores, will be dealt with after public consultations.

"We're not moving any of the requirements or regulations on zoning or location, anything like that," said councillor Darren Hill. "Administration is taking that back out to the public for feedback."

We anticipate it will be the same sort of regulation as they have in place for alcohol consumption.- Patricia Warwick

Councillors also had questions about whether marijuana would be allowed to be smoked on the sidewalk.

"We anticipate it will be the same sort of regulation as they have in place for alcohol consumption," said city solicitor Patricia Warwick. "We're kind of waiting for the province to come back with its guidelines and regulations."

Locations under the smoking bylaw also include golf courses, dog parks and outdoor pools.

The provincial government has not yet set a minimum age for marijuana use.

Marijuana could be legalized by the federal government this summer.