Canadians with Weed Set to be Freed 🍀 (if they were caught with 30g or less on them) By Vivien Talon

Legalization of Recreational Marijuana in Canada 

As of this month, Canada has become the second and largest country to legalize marijuana, Uruguay being the first in 2013. While the use of medical marijuana has been legal, recreational use has not. After two years of working towards legalization, Justin Trudeau's government has finally reached their goal of realizing this project to combat the illegal multi-billion dollar trade. Now, the Canadian government has begun to pardon those incarcerated with up to 30 grams of marijuana, the legal threshold, with an official announcement released on Wednesday, October 17. The laws have been updated so that as long as you are at least 18 years of age and carry 30 grams or less of marijuana (enough to roll about 60 regular sized joints), it is legal to possess recreational cannabis.

Many Canadians are excited about this legalization, anticipating the end of marijuana's 95-year old prohibition. Many celebrated this event at a "bud drop" party the eve of legalization, similar to the New Years' Ball Drop, where the bud of weed dropped at the stroke of midnight. (An actual image from the party on the right, taken from the New York Times). The government plans to make profit from legalization, of course. Now the selling of government pot has begun (online and in stores), said to be screened and without contaminants all for a lower price, according to New York Times. The New Brunswick government has even provided a step-by-step guide on how to roll a joint.

So, what does this mean for Canada's economy? This event has been nicknamed, the "green rush", and with good reason(s). According to The Guardian, at least 111 legal cannabis shops planned to open all around Canada for over 37 million people just on the first day of legalization.  Weed is also available online as well. However, no stores have opened in Ontario, since it is still working on its regulations. The province expects stores not to open until next spring. Canada also expects a mass of weed tourists following the increasing availability of pot. As for the stocks, the largest producers began trading down from 4%-9% (Business Insider). Market values exploded following legalization -- the market is set to be a $5 billion ($6.5 billion in Canadian dollars) industry by 2020.

Despite all the excitement for legalization, the government already has many concerned citizens critiquing this decision. Dr. Bernard Le Foll, a specialist at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto questions the safety of the situation. Worrying that the public is not sufficiently informed on this topic, he wonders if people know the risk of addiction and mental health issues the consumption of marijuana can cause to certain users. He comments on this issue in an article in New York Times, claiming, "It took decades for the public to understand the risks of cigarettes, and the legalization of cannabis has taken place only over a few years."


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Sources: 

nytimes.com

businessinsider.com
theguardian.com