Canada had another federal election without mentioning that Canada legalized marijuana coast to coast to coast. Canadians theoretically had a better time during the pandemic with legal marijuana. The U.S. has states where marijuana is legal but Canadians can use Canada Post to get their supplies.
Justin Trudeau focuses his election rhetoric more on what needs to be done than what has been done. Definitely not Canadian to brag about being the prime minister who helped make marijuana legal.
October 17, 2018 was the first day marijuana was legal in Canada. Still remember the excitement of seeing Newfoundland jump into the fray a mere 90 minutes before most of Ontario and Quebec could start.
Opening Day for legal recreational marijuana in Canada
A slim chance of marijuana tourism in Canada in 2021
Opening Day for fully vaccinated Americans to cross into Canada with caveats
August 9 is the date fully vaccinated Americans can cross into Canada with some fine print
When we said "slim chance," we were likely being generous. The border has been open for Americans (fully vaccinated) to enter Canada since August. The parameters around that happening means most of that traffic are people who live near the border as well as Canadian citizens, knowing they can cross so much easier.
Perhaps if sales of ketchup chips and poutine have sharply increased.
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Marijuana in Canada on 4/20/20
We did wonder about the dynamic of states that border Canada and have legalized marijuana on a state level. The marijuana seizures in Michigan from Canada have climbed dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The theory is that the marijuana is destined for southern U.S. states where marijuana is illegal. The geographic dynamic of eastern Michigan and Canada lend itself to smuggling of all types between the countries. Cigarettes (mostly to Canada) and years ago, Mountain Dew (to Canada) are some of the other more legal products crossing the border. Canada had intricate rules about caffeine in non-colas so a caffeine version of Mountain Dew was desirable in Canada.
Yet another advantage to completely legal marijuana is the idea that marijuana is truly easier to find, even versus a state where marijuana is legal. The idea of getting pot in a shopping mall does blow some minds.
2021 Canadian politics preview
The awkward, terrible way Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservatives rolled out marijuana in Ontario may be far down on the list of reasons why Ontario voters will want to vote out the current government on June 2, 2022. The irony of this going so poorly is the drug dealing allegations by the current Ontario premier.
Marijuana in Canada is a good example where politics don't always match. You can argue that Quebec is very liberal and Alberta is very conservative. On marijuana, Alberta is extremely liberal and Quebec is extremely conservative. Alberta is the only province where the legal age for marijuana is 18 (same as alcohol) while Quebec is the only place where the legal age for marijuana is 21 (3 years older than for alcohol).
Quebec Premier François Legault and the Coalition Avenir Québec government are up for election on October 3, 2022.
We don't think marijuana policy will decide votes in these provincial elections. We would be highly curious to know whether the subject will come up in either election.
A good reminder to note that provinces set the tone on marijuana. As we've noted, Manitoba is the only other province (18 for alcohol, 19 for marijuana) that has different rules. The other provinces are set at 19 for both.
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We are surprised that marijuana policy doesn't come up as much in news stories. Is the black market still a factor? The policies are generally against public consumption. Are people respecting those boundaries? Edibles are now a full-blown part of marijuana in Canada. Are children being protected from accidental consumption?
We would love to believe that the absence of stories means everything is good. We are not that naive. Marijuana in Canada is legal and accepted; talking about marijuana in Canada, well, these things might take some time.
photo credits: CBC News; me
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