Pot in focus for some Calgary event organizers as summer looms

With the inaugural summer of recreational cannabis legalization looming, few organizations have taken advantage of Calgary’s new regulations allowing consumption at some public events.

Like much of the country, Calgarians are learning as they go since recreational marijuana was legalized last October.

This will be the first summer in which event organizations can apply for approval through the city to have public cannabis consumption sites.

“There might be some hesitancy around it,” Matthew Zabloski, business strategist with Calgary community standards.

“Obviously, it’s not going to be as big of a financial incentive as beer gardens would be, and that’s simply because the province isn’t allowing for sales anywhere other than a brick-and-mortar store or their online store,” said Zabloski.

While Calgary typically prohibits recreational cannabis use in public places, designated cannabis consumption sites are allowed in some public places for approved events if they adhere to a series of principles: Marijuana-friendly areas must have appropriately trained staff and procedures for the oversight of consumption areas, follow relevant federal, provincial and municipal regulations and limit the impact on youth and exposure to second-hand smoke.

Groups must give at least 60 days notice to apply for approval and include a site map, a security plan and a medical plan.

The Calgary Folk Music Festival is leading the charge on embracing the once-illicit drug and will allow festival-goers to use cannabis at a designated consumption area.

“Everybody experiences the festival in their own, unique way and so for us if it’s easy enough to execute and doesn’t cost us much … it’s something we can give a try,” said executive director Sara Leishman.

“We are very much in the pilot stage,” said Leishman. “This year, the priority is to be fully compliant with bylaw and the (Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission) restrictions and to keep it really simple.”

She said the single proposed space at this year’s folk festival will be a small, fenced area.

“It is certainly not going to be a lounge. It’s not a place where you are going to stay and hang — it’s basically a discreet area where people can go to consume,” said Leishman.

The Calgary Stampede, meanwhile, is taking a different approach.

Organizers will not permit cannabis use on the grounds during this year’s edition of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth

“Stampede Park is a gathering place for the whole community and our policies are really meant to accommodate the comfort of all of our guests. So, we’re just taking a bit of lead from the city of Calgary that states the consumption of recreational cannabis is prohibited in public places,” said spokesperson Jennifer Booth.

She said because of the novelty of legalization, they are taking their time to see how “everything rolls out” and will “make decisions as necessary.”

Booth wouldn’t comment on whether the Stampede would relax its restrictions in the future, but said it will continue to be part of the conversation.

Leishman said members of the AGLC, bylaw officers and police will be on-site during the Calgary Folk Music Festival and this year’s outcome will influence next year’s plans.

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