Winnipeg police to begin enforcement project cracking down on those driving while high

Winnipeg police and Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) are looking to crack down on impaired driving through an enforcement project that will run until March 1.

WPS says through the Drug Impaired Driving Enforcement Project, an increased number of officers will be focusing on drivers who may be under the influence of cannabis or other drugs.

“The message is clear: don’t drive high. Including after consuming cannabis,” said Cst. Stephen Spencer, with the Winnipeg Police Service.

This comes as police say that cannabis remains the second‑leading cause of impaired driving offences in Winnipeg.

During last year’s enforcement project, police conducted 302 traffic stops, where they found that 97 people tested positive for recent cannabis consumption. Additionally, 86 tickets were issued, including for unlawful storage of cannabis in a vehicle and consuming cannabis in a vehicle (passenger).

Data from MPI shows that in 2025, there were 11 collisions involving alcohol or drug impairment that resulted in fatalities in Manitoba.

“While consuming cannabis isn’t new, many are surprised by its varying effects on the body. Ingested cannabis can take up to four hours to reach its full effect and may impair drivers for as long as 12 hours, while inhaled cannabis can peak within 30 minutes. The message is clear: don’t drive high, including after consuming edibles,” said Winnipeg police in a statement. “This behaviour has the potential to lead to tragic outcomes, compromising the safety of all users of our roadways.”

Alex Peterson, an impaired counter-measures coordinator with the Winnipeg Police Service, added, “Simple traffic offences could lead to making a demand. Also, reasonable suspicion could be anywhere from once the vehicle is stopped and the smell is coming out of the car.”

According to a survey conducted by CAA Manitoba in 2025, 63 per cent of respondents were getting behind the wheel within three hours following pot consumption, while 24 per cent reported consuming right before driving.

“We have more people using cannabis. We have more people driving high. We have more people driving higher sooner after consuming, and they are feeling more confident in doing so,” said Ewald Friesen, the manager of government and community relations with CAA Manitoba.

While cannabis advocates are supporting the need to spread awareness on impaired driving, they say the extension of enforcement raises some concerns within the community.

“Great campaign initially, awesome. I think perpetuating it over time, though especially targeting cannabis users, when the same is not being done for alcohol consumption. I think it’s where we start to get into the concern about it being not only discriminatory, but a waste of taxpayers’ dollars,” said Steven Stairs, a cannabis advocate. “And people going to buy legal cannabis or alcohol shouldn’t have to be constantly proving that they are fine.”

-With files from Sofia Frolova