Where there's smoke, there could be marijuana.
Orillia council committee has voted in favour of a by-law that would ban smoking outdoors on all city owned property including properties leased to a third party.
The smoking ban would include tobacco, cannabis and e-cigarettes.
Properties affected would include parking lots, trails, parks, the Orillia City Centre, the library, as well as 70 Front Street North and the Nordia land.
The by-law would come into effect on May 15 to give time for signage to be posted and the launch of an education campaign.
Staff told council committee there would be some exemptions such as a special event where a campsite was being established in a park, on a boat where there was toilet, sleeping and cooking facilities, as well as for those who smoke marijuana for medical reasons, but with certain criteria.
Funding for the signage, communication plan and a part time enforcement officer would come from the $36,300 the city is expecting from the province for supporting retail cannabis stores.
The decision still requires ratification by council at the January 21 meeting.
