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Canada makes final preparations before cannabis becomes legal

29 Comments
By Clément Sabourin

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29 Comments
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Here's to hoping that the entire map turns "green" someday soon!

13 ( +13 / -0 )

Well done Canadia!

Since I can't join in, I'm going to watch some Trailer Park Boys reruns and play some Rush and Neil Young riffs on my guitar.

13 ( +13 / -0 )

Have to admire the Canadian government giving their citizens the benefit of the doubt. And treating them like adults. Rather than the oppressive Taliban-lite regimes elsewhere.

As Pete Townsend said, "its too bad marijuana turns your brain into a softball."

Someone once said "everything in moderation". You drink too much - you end up with cirrosis of the liver or any number of alcohol-related diseases. Or in a domestic. Or assault. Or an RTA.

It's quite simple, enjoy yourself but know your limits.

In the meantime, this helps the economy and messes up the reliance on the dealers etc.

And if you don't like drugs (which includes alcohol or cigs or coffee etc) you don't have to take part.

Anyway, terrified puritans and NIMBYs need not worry - I don't see Japan going down this road anytime soon.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

what are the preparations? Mass importation of brownie mixture, lava lamps and hammocks.hahaha

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Hit, Hit, Hooray!

The Canadians once again show how progressive they are.

Also, changing the Maple Leaf to a Marijuana Leaf on the Canadian flag is an interesting idea.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Way to go my northern cousins. We are not far behind. MJ is not the devil that j edgar Hoover made it when he lost his power over alcohol at the end of prohibition.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Moderation people! Everything in moderation! Calm down, please!

8 ( +8 / -0 )

My next trip back home could be more interesting!!!

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Looking forward to my next trip there! YEAH!

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Good on you Canada. U.S. states that have legalized marijuana have decreased incarcerations, increased tourism and growing tax revenues. This is in contrast to Jeff Session's desire to fill his pal's privatized prisons with those afflicted with 'the reefer madness'.

I don't even smoke weed anymore but it's another logical reason to move to Canada. Canada has moved forward while the US has moved back to the 1930s.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

With freedom comes responsibility to use it wisely. Will there generally be responsible use in moderation? Or a surge in the number of doped out potheads?

The evidence from places with a long history of this, such as the Netherlands, suggests that it is unlikely to lead to a surge in "doped out potheads". This type are already buying and growing it anyway.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

They should change the flag too

5 ( +8 / -3 )

The US Declaration of Independence is written on hemp paper. You can make hemp clothing and strong rope from the fibers. The pot drug itself is good for pain relief, asthma and just relaxing. It never NEVER brings out the mean aggressive abusive side of people like alcohol does for some. It never does that.

I've been to parties and events where there was Mary Jane and nobody got cross, aggressive or stupid. I've been to shows and concerts where marijuana was openly smoked or consumed - particularly Ziggy Marley and Pink Floyd. At the latter event, we had 110,000 in a stadium toking! At those events not a single person got hurt and there were no fights. A lot of audience members did flag down the vendor ladies selling soft drinks! If you're thirsty enough, you'll pay $3+ for a Coke, believe me.

Good to see that Canada's government has come to its senses. This is going to help their economy for sure.

SilvafanOct. 12 04:58 pm JSTModeration people! Everything in moderation! Calm down, please!

Yes, moderation. Just like alcohol, which if consumed in moderation is alright. And alcohol is a lot more addictive than pot. Then there's tobacco which is even more addictive, has no medical qualities whatsoever and which kills. Nicotine has taken the lives of some of my relatives, friends, cohorts, and has got a few past girlfriends addicted too. It's no good - they've all told me that and they all have said 'DON'T'. Alcohol if overdone can lead to alcoholism which kills and destroys. Marijuana never has killed anyone - not even in the form of hashish. If it has an addictive trait to it, it's psychological and not physical like nicotine or booze have. Welcome to the 21st Century, Canada!

5 ( +5 / -0 )

@Buchailldana

what are the preparations? Mass importation of brownie mixture, lava lamps and hammocks.hahaha

This has to be the funniest comment EVER made on JT

Thanks for making my day!

@Paustovsky

They should change the flag too

When do they rename my country to Canabis?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Finally common sense why is it so hard!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Unfortunately this is the exact reason I have problems with what I call "excessive progressives". Always rushing head first into things without properly evaluating the consequences.

Rushing into things? Medicinal marijuana has been legal in Canada since 2001. The government tabled bills to have it decriminalized in 2003. This is probably one of the most studied and debated policy decisions in the history of Canadian politics. Furthermore, it’s a policy decision that the vast majority of Canadians agree with.

Describing this legislation as rushed is very naive.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

My next trip back home could be more interesting!!!

Vape pens.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

To those of you who joked about changing my country's flag to the marijuana leaf, I'll say two things - identify your own country so I can burn your flag, just for spite, and just so you know, here in Canada, you can already buy a flag with a red marijuana leaf on it.

And to those of you who are thinking of your next trip home, or of visiting, you're welcome.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

I don't care about the ethics / health or social issues etc. I just think it's a smart business move. Will result in more taxes for government (and less for criminal gangs) which at the end of the day should result in lower taxes / better public services and pensions. And more tourists will go to Canada. Will be interesting to see how it plays out. Good times ahead especially for their snack food producers.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Anyone coming back from Canada to Japan will have an extra search.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I wonder if Trump will build a northern border to stop the flow of USA citizens and then charge Canada for it ?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

This will be an interesting test of Canadian's character.

With freedom comes responsibility to use it wisely. Will there generally be responsible use in moderation? Or a surge in the number of doped out potheads?

It will be very interesting to see.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

"what are the preparations? Mass importation of brownie mixture, lava lamps and hammocks.hahaha"

Don't forget the dye for tie dye shirts!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Canadians could use something to help them relax these days.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Aww, how sad. You still don't understand the consequences of recreational use, because you love your weed! It's a magical herb that cures all ills! I've heard the same thing before from others that make cash off of peoples ignorance. Doesn't matter what the "majority" aka active recreational users think, it's not good for you, and it can and does affect others negatively. As I said before, I don't care what people do to themselves, as long as it does not affect me. But it does.

Enjoy the drop in IQ, the slower speaking skills, the dazed glassy eyes and increased tolerance which leads to using higher concentrations in order to keep a buzz... or even better yet, the tolerance becomes so high that it doesn't doe anything for the user anymore so you quit anyway.

I've even been told by such ilk, "You should do it too!" Which is akin to telling a person who is allergic to peanuts, "Eat some peanut butter!"

Some folks have allergic reactions to the plant period (my family for example). Hell, I even know some people that use herb recreationally but have to avoid certain strains because they have allergic reactions to them.

But keep up the idiocy.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Moderation people! Everything in moderation! Calm down, please!

Unfortunately this is the exact reason I have problems with what I call "excessive progressives". Always rushing head first into things without properly evaluating the consequences. Cheering loudly, while ignoring the negative aftermath...

I am currently still experiencing the negative consequences of the stupidity and inconsideration of tokers in Colorado after legalization. I don't smoke or toke anything. But I'm always running into second hand smokers and tokers now. If these people were actually abiding by the laws of legalization (Not to be used in public) I wouldn't be dealing with it at all.

As I've always said, if I'm not affected by it, I don't care what people do... but the fact is, I AM being affected by it against my will. Canada can legalize it, but maybe the society up north is a lot more respectful of others than the obnoxious inconsiderate idiots I have to deal with in the US.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Free society = happy society.

This particular freedom is of concern, however. Not quite sure all the reasons presented by cannabis supporters justify its legalization.

Already WAY too many drug addicts in the States and I don't know 'bout Canada but probably not far behind.

These great countries will eventually lose the qualities which made/make them 'great'.

Oh, I will surely be expecting a 'few' thumbs downs on this comment, for sure. C'est la vie

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

"I wonder if Trump will build a northern border to stop the flow of USA citizens and then charge Canada for it ?"

Heck no, let all the potheads go to Canada, lol.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

As Pete Townsend said, "its too bad marijuana turns your brain into a softball."

Justin's Canada.

-14 ( +3 / -17 )

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