Remember this day, friends! For today Canada becomes the second nation and the first G7 country to fully legalize cannabis for adult use. The move comes years after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to clean up the illicit market, curb underage use, and generate tax dollars through legalization. The global marijuana industry has been gearing up for this occasion for months, and many regulated dispensaries made their first official sales this morning.
Because Canada’s legalization is nationwide, it allows for both banking and inter-province commerce. Canada will also launch a program to pardon previous pot possession sentences.
Of course, it’s still illegal to travel internationally with marijuana, even if you’re going from California to Canada. And rules about possession limits and where you can consume may vary from province to province or city to city. It’s probably a good idea to read up on local regulations before you plan your next Canadian vacation.
Congratulations, Canada, and thank you! Let’s hope this sensible approach to cannabis can influence your southern neighbors to follow your lead. It’s past time for the US to end federal prohibition and halt the misguided drug war.
In anticipation of this momentous day, Canada’s National Post got in touch with us a few months ago. We talked about pot and parenting and about the “weed mom” replacing the “wine mom.”
(Hint: we thought it was a good idea. AND we also know that every mother’s identity is far too complex to reduce to a single substance, no matter how wonderful and versatile that substance may be!)
Mother’s new little helper: Is the Pot Mom about to replace the Wine Mom?
What a fantastic day for our friends up north! Hopefully the USA and rest of the world get the message and follow suit quickly!