Canadian Department to Ban Cannabis Use for Officers, Even Off-Duty

Calgary police are taking a strict approach to cannabis consumption, and will entirely ban officers from using recreational cannabis after legalization in Canada, reports the Star .

Supt. Darren Leggatt said that under the new HR policy, any Calgary Police Service members qualified to carry firearms who are capable of being operationally deployed—in other words, called to a scene—will not be allowed to use recreational cannabis in any form.

That means any officers beyond those restricted to desk duty or in strictly administrative roles won't be able to consume, even off duty, after Oct. 17. The ban also applies to sworn police recruits.

Leggatt, who leads the Calgary Police Service cannabis legalization project, said that because there isn't enough research on how a body metabolizes cannabis and how long impairment can last, the service is proceeding with caution.