With the legalization of cannabis on the horizon, a door has been opened to have healthy discussions on how it will impact our community on what could be a difficult topic for some.

Family and Community Support Services and Alberta Health are jointly hosting the first of three sessions on Thursday, May 17 entitled,"Cannabis Legalization and Our Community." The session runs from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Seniors on the Bow upstairs in the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre (SLSFSC).

While register has now closed for this event, two others are on the horizon at SLSFSC on June 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. and at the Royal Canadian Legion on June 12, also from 6 to 8 p.m. They're open to all interested people.

It's not about legislation; it's about encouraging an open dialogue in an unthreatening environment to allow people to express different viewpoints and opinions in a respectful manner on the topic. Creating that safe environment was a key focus of the collaborators to allow for an uninhibited discussion. The facilitators encourage people to be open-minded and not to be afraid to explore ideas or express their own in a concise manner.

Annemarie Tocher, FCSS Resource Centre Coordinator, says its one of those rare opportunities for the community to gather to discuss a difficult topic in hopes of learning from differing opinions and enriching the community from the experience.

Discussions will centre on five questions and while their job is to facilitate the discussion the team will also be queuing in on what is said to prepare for future needs. 

"We have an interest as a community in hearing from people about what do they need for additional information on the topic and what would they like to see available in the community for support going forward," says Tocher.

Resource Centre Community Support Worker Wendy Farnsworth, one of the committee members, stresses its value.

"People will have various opinions on this and it's an opportunity for people to share their own personal experiences in a very safe place with other people and respect differences. I think it's a beautiful way to bringing the community together when there is that diversity."

Jason Garagan, of the Safe Coach program, says the conversation isn't unique to Cochrane.

"Events like this are actually happening all across the country and even in the States in preparation for the legalization of cannabis."

"It's happening no matter what, so in preparation for that, it's a way to have a dialogue."

For more information, or to register for either of the upcoming sessions you can contact FCSS at 403-851-2250.