Parents are being encouraged to talk with their kids while police prepare for a new world with cannabis legalization is set to take effect this month.
About 40 people attended an information session in Port Elgin Wednesday night regarding the myths and facts of marijuana use, and the chief of the Saugeen Shores Police Service admitted it will be a challenge for police officers.
Mike Bellai said questions still remain about how the new regulations will be enforced but one thing is for certain, impaired driving will not be tolerated.
"There's enough education out there about impaired operation of a motor vehicle with alcohol, people should consider it's the same thing with drugs, so we don't want people to do that," said Bellai. "You'll face the same penalties as you do if you were drinking and driving."
Bellai says there are aspects of the legislation that will be tricky for officers, pointing out while each household will be permitted to grow up to four plants for personal use, it remains to be seen how police can enforce that regulation.
Dave Roy, the director of addiction services for the Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce, is encouraging parents to be proactive and sit down with their kids and have an open conversation about marijuana.
Roy said it's important parents avoid lecturing their kids and do more listening than talking.
"We want to be able to have some influence with kids and give them good information and help them make informed choices, we have to create an environment where they feel they can have some input," said Roy. "And if they feel that, then they're more likely to listen to what we have to say."
Roy added there's no such thing as being "too young" for a conversation about drugs, though he cautions the discussion should be age-appropriate.
