The Bracebridge Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged two young drivers with cannabis related offences.
On Monday, August 3, 2026 at 1:30 a.m., a Bracebridge OPP officer was conducting patrols in the town of Gravenhurst and conducted a traffic stop on Talisman Drive. The officer became concerned about the presence of cannabis and subsequently charged the 18-year-old driver from Mapleton Twp, ON with Having care/control of a vehicle with cannabis readily available, he is also charged with Person under 19-possess cannabis. His passenger, a 16-year-old female from Gravenhurst, was warned for Person under 19-possess cannabis.
Also on Monday, August 3, 2026, at 8:40 p.m., Bracebridge OPP responded to a concern from a member of the public after they noticed a strong cannabis smell emanating from a vehicle in a parking lot on Bethune Drive South in Gravenhurst. Officers attended and located the vehicle with a group of young people between the ages of 16 – 20 years of age inside. The investigation subsequently resulted in the driver, a 20-year-old from Pefferlaw, ON, facing a charge for Having care/control of a vehicle with cannabis readily available.
The Cannabis Control Act (2017) has established prohibitions relating to cannabis including those intended to protect youth. No person under the age of 19 is permitted to possess or consume cannabis. Furthermore, NO person is permitted to drive or have the care or control of a vehicle or boat (whether or not it is in motion) while any cannabis is contained in the vehicle or boat.
