You Can Now Smoke and Buy Weed in Canada

Justin Trudeau Government fulfills his electoral promise to authorize the recreational use of weed and will pardon those who are convicted of possession.

Canada has become the second country in the world, after Uruguay, and the first among the member of the G-7 and also of the G-20, where the recreational use of weed is legal.

• Marijuana use was illegal in Canada since 1923.
• In 2001 the use of medical marijuana was approved in Canada.
• Canada also becomes the largest cannabis market in the world.

Ian Power has been the first Canadian to legally buy recreational marijuana or weed in his country. He has done it in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador; the first in which, by the time zone in which it is located, the norm that allows it since Wednesday, October 17 has entered into force.

In the streets, long lines of customers waited for the opening of stores where, weed can be legally purchased.

“I am delighted. I feel so happy that I can not stop smiling, “Power told CBC News. Power has received the herb from Bruce Linton, CEO of Canopy Growth, the largest producer authorized by the Canadian government. “When was the last time someone got a bill when they bought weed?” Linton joked in front of the cameras.

In addition, those who are convicted by simple weed possession may request for forgiveness without administrative costs. And it is that these people have problems finding a job or renting an apartment because of the crime which is no longer illegal.

#Happylegalization was one of the most popular hashtags on Wednesday, October 17, day 1 of the launch of the legalization of recreational marijuana in Canada.

Profits out of the hands of criminals. Protection for our kids. Today #cannabis is legalized and regulated across Canada. pic.twitter.com/0ZxtohOHG0

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) 17 October 2018

The legalization of the recreational use of cannabis was an electoral promise of the current Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, and approved by the Canadian Parliament on June 20.

In Montreal, according to the AFP news agency, a 33-year-old named Mathieu has queued up since 3am in front of the store that sells marijuana on one of the city’s main boulevards. “This is historic and I wanted to be here,” says the young man, who adds that he has smoked since he was 15 years old and on his way to work.

About the Price

Much of the success to legalize weed in Canada will be marked by what citizens will end up paying per gram of marijuana, because if in the legal market these are more expensive than in the black market, there will be little incentive to buy legal.

According to a survey conducted by the firm Abacus Data, 70% of Canadians support legalization. They indicates that 4.9 million people consumed at least 20 grams of cannabis in 2017. And they did so for 5,600 million Canadian dollars (about 3,700 million euros ). Only 10% corresponded to therapeutic marijuana, legal in Canada since 2001.

Prices will vary from province to province. In Quebec, for example, although there was talk of prices between $ 6 and $ 9 per gram, in stores of the SDCQ will sell the gram from $ 5.25, including taxes.

In New Brunswick the cost will vary between 6 and 16 dollars per gram and in Newfoundland and Labrador it will be between 6 and 13 dollars.

The legalization of recreational marijuana inaugurates an industry of considerable dividends in this North American country. According to estimates of CIBC, one of the largest Canadian banks, the legal market will generate about 6,500 million in the first year. 75% of taxes will go to the provinces and the remaining 25% will go to Ottawa.

According to the new legal framework, each gram sold will have a lien of one dollar or 10% of the sale price. During the months before the legalization, the price of the gram generated a great debate. Last year, the national average on the black market was $ 7. In a government store also in Montreal, the basic varieties can be purchased for $ 5.25, although there are other prices according to the different qualities.

Several organisms propose that the legal production in the first year will oscillate between 210 and 300 tons, that is, between 27% and 38% of the total demand, calculated by the Government in 773 tons. There will be a considerable part that will still be under the control of the criminal groups, but will go down due to a price issue and an increase in controlled production.

There are currently 188 authorized producers in Canada (both medical and recreational cannabis). The four big companies in the sector are Canopy Growth, Tilray, Aurora Cannabis and Aphria. “Its growth has been spectacular. Investors speculate bluntly on the potential growth of these companies, “said Gérald Fillion, an economic analyst at Radio-Canada.

These companies are responsible for the cultivation of the weed and its shipment to different stores. Canada law allows you to buy weed online.  In the case of online sales, the delivery of weed is handled by Canada Post, the public postal and parcel system.

These stores offers various packaged products (dry herb, bundled cigarettes, oils, sprays, pills). Each package indicates the variety, the name of the producing firm and the percentage of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidol), as well as information on the risks of its use as it appears in tobacco.

“The legalization of weed does not mean that it is a harmless substance. There are several legal products, such as sugar and alcohol, that we know have consequences. However, legalizing weed is a positive measure simply because the prohibition has been worse, “says Jean-Sébastien Fallu, an expert in the study of addictions at the University of Montreal.

Another aspect that has caused debate, what will happen to individuals who had a criminal record for possession before legalization. Some 500,000 people have experienced this situation. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had received several requests to declare a general amnesty. The legalization of marijuana has become a reality on Canadian soil.

About the Legal Age

Cannabis buyers should prove their age in stores and on the web. The federal government approve 18 as the minimum age to buy and consume, but authorized the provinces to decide the right age.

Alberta and Quebec adopted 19 as the legal age to cosume weed. However, an important announcement has been made: François Legault, Québec’s premier, declared that he will present a bill to increase authorization to 21, as recommended by the Canadian Medical Association due to the impact on young people’s brain development.

“It’s silly. The studies are not conclusive. We must also think that if we raise the age, we will condemn these young people to live under the status quo of prohibition. They will continue to use the black market with uncontrolled cannabis and are exposed to contact with other substances, “says Fallu.

Dozens of stores across the country, regulated by the Canadian health authorities, began to legally sell marijuana to those over 18 or 19 years of age, depending on the province.

But a new survey suggests that only 27% of Canadians believe that 18 years is a suitable age. A similar percentage considers that it should be 21 years.

Thirteen percent, in fact, said that the age to consume weed legally should be greater than 25 years.

In some regions it is feared that the initial demand may be higher than the supply even though the companies that have been licensed by the Canadian government to produce cannabis have been working  hard to produce the maximum possible quantity of weed.

About Possession

You will be allowed to have up to 30 grams of marijuana with you. In the case of Quebec, adults can have up to 150 grams of cannabis at home.

Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, Ralph Goodale, announced that the government plans to introduce a law that will accelerate the pardon for those who have criminal records for marijuana possession. The price for the suspension of these records is 631 dollars and the waiting time is between five and 10 years. The suspension does not eliminate the crime, but keeps the record separate from other records.

For Travelers

Although south of the border in some states the use of weed is already legal, it is still illegal to do so under federal law. Canada has warned its citizens that the use of cannabis or any other substance banned in the United States can lead to denial of entry to that country.

It is not yet clear if travelers will be asked to come to the United States about their marijuana use.

Now, those who come to Canada will be asked about their possession of cannabis and there will be questions about it in the customs declaration.

Those who travel by plane within Canada may have up to 30 grams of marijuana. But travelers should remember that they can not take cannabis with them if the flight is international.

About Workplaces

Most companies have already updated their policies on marijuana use during working hours. Many are applying the same rules as with alcohol.

In the case of airlines, such as Air Canada and WestJet, their pilots were prohibited from consuming marijuana.

In the case of policemen, the rules vary equally between municipalities and provinces. In Montreal, SPVM agents may use marijuana but not show up to work under its effects. In Calgary, officers are banned from smoking marijuana, even during their vacations.

We hope this information on Canada legalization of weed increased your knowledge.