Results from a recent survey conducted by C.A.A. Manitoba, found since 2018 when cannabis was legalized, a third of impaired drivers in our province admitted to driving a vehicle after eating an edible form of cannabis. C.A.A. said that's 27 percent of the people they surveyed.
In the five and half years since legalization, Winkler Police Chief Ryan Hunt said they have seen less physical cannabis, overall, noting it used to be common to find cannabis during routine traffic stops before it was legalized.
"Years ago before it was legal, almost any vehicle you stopped, you would find cannabis in the car somewhere. Like if you're driving around at night on patrol, and you stopped a car the chance of finding cannabis in it were fairly high. But, we've noticed over the last several years that has changed, and we're not seeing as much cannabis as we used to."
He's not sure why they're seeing less cannabis now, but said it could be due to edibles being more accessible and easier to hide.
Hunt said since 2018, Winkler Police have charged six people for driving while impaired by drugs. In those cases, there were other drugs involved, but at the time of the interview, Hunt could not confirm whether cannabis was involved.
"Anybody that consumes cannabis, they get potentially more impaired as time goes on. So if you consume cannabis and get in a vehicle to drive, you might think you're all right, but as you're driving you're getting more and more impaired," said Hunt.
Hunt said his message for drivers is simple.
"Never drive a vehicle after having consumed cannabis or any other drug or alcohol. Always have a plan for alternate transportation, and do not get into a vehicle with a driver that has consumed an intoxicating substance."
When they're patrolling, Hunt said they're looking for people who are showing signs of impairment by drugs. "That's what we need to lay a charge. And we're not seeing that very often," said Hunt.