Weed ban means no Rocky Mountain high for Canada's Calgary Stampede
ENTERTAINMENT NEWS JULY 5, 2019 / 1:12 PM / 7 DAYS AGO
Weed ban means no Rocky Mountain high for Canada's Calgary Stampede
Rod Nickel, Nia Williams
3 MIN READ
CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - Canadas Calgary Stampede, known as the countrys biggest and booziest annual party, is banning the use of cannabis in the first year that legislators made the drug legal nationwide.
The Stampede, which started on Thursday and runs through July 14, draws tourists from around the world for its rodeo and chuckwagon races, but much of the revelry happens away from official venues at parties hosted by oil and gas companies.
Cannabis consumption will not be allowed in the 230-acre Stampede Park, although alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking are permitted in certain areas, said Stampede spokeswoman Jennifer Booth.
With (cannabis legalization) legislation being so new, were taking the opportunity to learn the impact of having cannabis use at other events, Booth said, adding that she has received supportive comments about the policy. If someone is found using cannabis, theyre just going to be asked politely to not use it.
Canada became the first developed country to legalize recreational cannabis last year. Several provinces cut their cannabis-revenue forecasts because of supply shortages and higher prices compared with the black market.
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Reporting by Rod Nickel in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Nia Williams in Calgary; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Susan Thomas
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