With the bill presented Thursday to legalize marijuana use in Canada by July 2018, the Portage School Division has some work on their hands to deal with its policies.

"There will be a policy updates and we'll have to revisit a number of items," says chair Murray McLenehan. "It will still be illegal to have marijuana at the school. That's the way it is. But the benefits of the medical marijuana are amazing. That is something that has potential for positive impact."

McLenehan explains, "The recreational - that's going to be no different than any other substance. Students will understand the rules behind it, and there will be rules. There has to be. The young minds can't be affected by the introduction of drugs, although it will take away the illegal drugs and hopefully make it a controlled drug."

He says he contacted some people in Colorado and asked them about the impact made on students after its legalization in that state. He was told it was minimal, with no significant rise in suicides or overdoses.

"It's a good move by the government if it's delivered properly," McLenehan adds. "And the board will have to work very hard within the entire team to make sure we introduce it correctly and safely."