Canadian Crossing

Experiencing marijuana tourism in Canada

We have talked considerably about the idea that people would come to Canada to experience marijuana in a country where the drug is completely legal, regardless of where you are in the country.

The marijuana tourism idea got derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, where travel was difficult and getting into Canada had unnecessary barriers (ArriveCAN).

Having visited Windsor and being barely in Canada, I wanted to see what, if any, potential perils of purchasing pot there were in Canada.

Despite edibles being legal in Canada in the fall of 2019, Windsor didn't have any visible ways of getting them. The fall of 2022 was an entirely different scene. The average tourist would have 5-6 different places (at least) to purchase marijuana just in the downtown core.

Marijuana is legal in many locales in the United States. Missouri and Maryland just legalised marijuana in those states. The difference is that the shopping experience can be, well, not so pleasant, depending on state rules. Buying edibles in California was a marvelous experience. Buying edibles in Illinois? Not as pleasant. Had to pay for edibles in cash (due to banking issues since marijuana is illegal on a federal level).

Canadian film review: The Marijuana Conspiracy

Canada celebrates 3 years of legal marijuana (2021)

I selected a place at random very close to places I was in my travels. I wanted to see what the shopping experience would be like as well as the product I received.

The place I tried had great hours: 14 hours a day, 7 days a week. No hassles at the door over ID. A nice young person helped me. She talked me through a number of cookie options (cookies are my go to) that I haven't always had in other places. Low pressure sales. I went in mostly for research purposes, figuring I would purchase later. To my surprise, I bought the product in that visit.

Tried a cinnamon cookie and a spicy ginger cookie. The cost was around $4-$7 per cookie, even cheaper if you convert U.S. dollars to Canadian dollars. They were quite fine in terms of taste. Not a gourmet cookie but a pleasant taste. My smoking days were limited and I can't smoke it too well. Also edibles help you get past a number of concerns, such as not being able to smoke in apartments or Airbnb type setups.

I tried different levels within my stay. A whole 10 mg of the cookie is more than I would take in a dose. The packets were resealable so the cookies stayed fresh. In a group setting, you might split a cookie all at once. For those who travel as single people, portion control is a concern.

We do suggest if you get the munchies on Canadian soil to indulge in such Canadian treats as ketchup chips, all dressed chips, and poutine.

Canadian film review: Canadian Strain

As we have noted, 30 grams is the limit to carry on your person (28 grams = 1 ounce). 2 cookies each with 10 mg is not a threat to that limit.

Each province has rules involving the consumption of cannabis and you should follow those laws and rules in that province. Alberta has an 18+ requirement. All the other provinces and territories except for Quebec (21+) are 19+. There are specific rules about transportation with the general requirement of having the product in a sealed package. Consumption in public places is also a concern, depending on where you are in Canada.

A slim chance of marijuana tourism in Canada in 2021

Opening Day (finally) for marijuana edibles in Canada (2019)

Your shopping experience will vary, depending on province and where you are in that province. More competition helps bring better service, even if the prices are comparable. The fact that the experience in Windsor was significantly better than my California experience (my best one in the States) is a very encouraging sign.

The other amusing part was that I also bought acetaminophen with codeine, which you can legally bring into the United States in limited portions under specific rules. The aspirin with codeine was out due to supply chain issues. Buying the pain reliever isn't arduous but there is a dance you need to do.

CanadianCrossing.com marijuana coverage

A very significant point: Even if Ontario and Michigan (as an example) have legal marijuana, you can't legally transport marijuana between the countries. The penalties are not worth the risk. Buy what you will consume in Canada and don't bring back the leftovers.

The marijuana shopping experience in Canada is very friendly. If you come to Canada and choose to participate (provided you are of age), marijuana tourism is an extra incentive to dust off your passport and make a trip to Canada.

Editor's note: There is no specific endorsement of any company mentioned in the article.

photos credit: me

Canadian film review: The Marijuana Conspiracy

The Marijuana Conspiracy is "based on a true story" about young women who participate in a marijuana study. We are back in 1972 in Toronto where we meet young women whose lives are filled with misogyny and racism.

We spend a lot of time in the film meeting the young women who will be in the study. Then we learn more about them in the study itself.

They have to be inside for 98 days, smoking marijuana twice a night, with no outside contact (other than letters) and no fresh air.

While smoking marijuana for 98 days sounds fun, especially in 1972, money is their motivation. When the people in charge of the experiment bump up the THC, money gets the women back on track.

Mary (Julia Sarah Stone) has been using her friend's place as a crash pad. She has a lot of trust issues. The other young women have various stories with a bit more stability.

Marissa (Morgan Kohan) wants to open her own graphics company. Mourinda (Tymika Tafari) wants to go to law school. Janice (Kyla Young) wants to make money to travel even more. Jane (Brittany Bristow) wants to relocate to Victoria.

CanadianCrossing.com marijuana coverage

Nurse Alice Jones (Marie Ward) is labeled as Nurse Ratched based on the 1962 Ken Kesey book One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, not the 1975 film that hadn't been made yet. The nurse has her own secret based on the times.

The cast features Luke Bilyk, Alanna Bale, Greg Calderone, Paulino Nunes, Paula Boudreau, Jordan Todosey, and Derek McGrath.

Craig Pryce wrote and directed the film. The movie spends a lot on female bonding and friendship; the marijuana is the gateway to female relationships and nothing more sinister.

The only major drawback is that the film spends too much time in the before stage, almost a quarter of the film. Ideally that would have been cut in half. A minor point for an obvious solid film.

The end of the film (no spoilers) tells us what happened to the young women in the study. Then we see current Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing the legalization of marijuana. A fitting end, given the mentions of his father from 1972 on the possibility of legalizing marijuana.

Telefilm Canada brings back more Canadian films for rent

CanadianCrossing.com film reviews

CanadianCrossing.com film coverage

The Marijuana Conspiracy received 2 Canadian Screen Awards nominations in 2021 for costume design and makeup.

The Marijuana Conspiracy is currently available on Hulu in the United States. Today is the last day the film is part of the Telefilm Canada's Made in Canada Spotlight campaign through the Apple TV app.

video credit: YouTube/Samuel Goldwyn Films
photo credit: The Marijuana Conspiracy film

Canada celebrates 3 years of legal marijuana

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.

Canada celebrates 2 years of legal marijuana

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.

Canadian film review: Canadian Strain

CanadianCrossing.com marijuana coverage

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

A slim chance of marijuana tourism in Canada in 2021

Today is 4/20, April 20. The day to celebrate marijuana in times of being illegal. Marijuana is legal in Canada. Some U.S. states have various levels of legalisation. The provinces regulate how much you can grow, if you are allowed to grow.

Canadians can easily consume marijuana in the privacy of their own homes, though smoking is tough if you rent. Marijuana tourism is a bit more difficult since there are conditions against public consumption. The excitement of finally getting legal edibles in Canada (for non-Canadians) was toned down by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

The Canada-U.S. border "celebrates" 13 months of closure as of tomorrow. The border isn't opening any time soon. The focus has shifted from high COVID-19 case rates in the United States to the variants sending Canadian case rates higher than what they were a year ago.

Americans don't have to travel to Canada for legal marijuana. Vox reported that about 43 percent of the U.S. population live in a place where pot is available for any purpose. Recently, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and New Mexico have approved recreational use.

Marijuana tourism might not be at the top of travel plans; people are anxious to go to different places. Canada-U.S. travel is a crucial part of the border experience that has been missing during the pandemic. Poutine tastes good if you are sober but could be more tempting in an altered state.

Marijuana Business Daily has some cool statistics on marijuana purchases in Canada's major cities.

Canada celebrates 2 years of legal marijuana

Marijuana in Canada on 4/20/20

CanadianCrossing.com marijuana coverage

The Canadian Automobile Association North and East Ontario produced some fun public service announcements on all the great things you can do while on edibles (hint: driving is not one of them). The ketchup on the fries (above photo) is endearing since French fries have been a rare treat during the pandemic. Fries and gravy, a great Canadian staple, is very much missed.

Drug Free Kids Canada also has a campaign on marijuana edibles. Their focus is on how they aren't as innocent as they look. Edibles do take longer to kick into the human body. The music from A Clockwork Orange does add danger to the presentation.

Canadian film review: Canadian Strain

Tomorrow is National Canadian Film Day. We will have extensive coverage of that special day. If you want to get started early, we heartily recommend Canadian Strain. Americans can watch the Canadian film on Amazon Prime Video.

video and photo credit: CAA North and East Ontario; Drug Free Kids Canada

Canada celebrates 2 years of legal marijuana

We did joke back in March that the worldwide pandemic would be tough, but at least Canada had legal marijuana.

Today is the second anniversary of Canada making marijuana legal.

While U.S. states made edibles legal when they made marijuana legal, Canadians had to wait to get legal edibles in the marketplace in mid-December 2019. As late as that was, the timing was good before the pandemic started.

Edibles were crucial for renters since they can't generally smoke in their apartments. Going outside and smoking wasn't a handy option in the pandemic, plus smoking makes mask wearing difficult.

Edibles are more convenient but Canadians had to be aware of consuming them in public, which is illegal. Being encouraged to stay at home may have increased sales.

Retail marijuana sales had good numbers this summer in Canada.

Opening Day (finally) for marijuana edibles in Canada

Marijuana in Canada on 4/20/20

Opening Day for legal recreational marijuana in Canada

The avalanche of horrible stories that many feared about legalizing marijuana in a country as large as Canada never materialized. This isn't to say everything went perfect. This is a reminder that the absence of bad news is actually good news that most journalists don't report.

The potential for horrible stories as a result of legal marijuana was certainly thrown out there. The speculation that the U.S. would recoil that its next-door neighbour could get high any time (being of legal age). Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, like Helen Lovejoy on The Simpsons, wanted us to think of the children in terms of marketing marijuana products to young people.

There are plenty of issues and concerns with the legalisation of marijuana. A still thriving black market. Quebec having such a huge contrast between the drinking age (18) and marijuana age (21). Are Quebecers in Gatineau crossing over into Ottawa for marijuana access? Ontario relying on private sales as opposed to province-run shoppes. The business community focuses on federal and provincial mistakes.

There are fewer Canadians in jail on drug charges. Canada gets tax money from legal sales. The police aren't making marijuana arrests simply for possession. Defund the Police is a real thing in Canada as we've seen stories about the need to reallocate police funding.

Prime Minister Trudeau can be criticised for moving too slow and cautious on marijuana in Canada but gets points for not running into major issues or concerns.

Canadian film review: Canadian Strain

The U.S. gets credit for more and better stoner films than Canada. We do need to point out that Tommy Chong of Cheech and Chong is Canadian and they met in Canada.

Canadian Strain isn't really about stoners but a look at what happens when a illegal product suddenly becomes legal. Jess Salgueiro is really good as the lead in the film. The Canadian film is insightful and entertaining.

CanadianCrossing.com marijuana coverage

We went through the archives to categorise our extensive marijuana coverage at Canadian Crossing. We have a few "are we there yet" stories telling the history leading up to legalization in Canada. We also talk marijuana tourism, something that would have really kicked in for 2020 had there not been a pandemic.

photo credit: CBC News

Canadian film review: Canadian Strain

Canadian Strain paints an world in Ontario once marijuana becomes legal. The film uses actual footage of various related events with a fictional story about your well-versed neighbourhood drug dealer who is forced to rethink her world when marijuana becomes a legal product.

In reality, black market drug dealers in Ontario did quite well since there were no stores and limited supplies on mail order. The film takes that world in a different direction.

Anne (Jess Salgueiro) is captivating as the drug dealer with steady clients who leave her for apps and points. The idea that Shoppers Drug Mart would sell marijuana was a very popular joke.

Anne is in financial trouble, getting kicked out of her apartment. She feels like she is losing a battle to government-controlled marijuana, eventually getting a job at the CDCBO (Cannabis Distribution and Control Board of Ontario), a play on LCBO in Ontario.

Marijuana in Canada on 4/20/20

Colin Mochrie has some nice moments as Anne's father. Marcia Bennett is wonderful as Anne's grandma and client. Naomi Snieckus steals the show as Anne's CDCBO boss Judy. The film's cast is largely female. The film uses marijuana to tell larger stories about women in business and looking out for each other.

Writer/director Geordie Sabbagh presents an odd mixture of reality and pretend, an interpretation that is parallel to reality and also very close to it. The less you know about the early days of legal marijuana, especially in Toronto, the less confused you will be in the film.

This is the second full-length film for Sabbagh, who also used Salgueiro, Benjamin Ayres, Angela Besharah, and Ashleigh Rains in A Sunday Kind of Love (2016).

That said, writing a film that is riffing off what is happening in the real world is difficult. Enjoy the ride.

The commentary on the government and CDCBO is poignant and funny.

"We Canadians like to keep our drugs and our fucking behind closed doors."

The name Canadian Strain tells you the film is Canadian. This film feels Canadian. You will know this is Canadian without the need for stereotypes (sorry Bob and Doug McKenzie).

Trying to find the quintessential Canadian film

CanadianCrossing.com film reviews

CanadianCrossing.com film coverage

Canadian Strain got caught in the list of films that were headed to theatres but were halted to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. The film did play the Whistler Film Festival last December.

video credit: YouTube/Pacific Northwest Pictures
photo credit: Canadian Strain film

Marijuana in Canada on 4/20/20

April 20 (4/20) was often used as the rally point for legalising marijuana. Now Canada is one of 2 countries in the world that has legal marijuana.

Having legal marijuana offers some advantages during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic . The pandemic also offers up some disadvantages.

Edibles are finally legal in Canada in recent months. For those concerned about the lungs, edibles offer a non-smoking option as does oils, creams, and other products.

All the provinces except for Quebec and Manitoba allow up to 4 plants to grow in the home. Provinces offer mail options so people don't have to leave their homes. People have to sign for the packages.

There is one distinct disadvantage to Canadian marijuana consumers … if they rely on the black market. Transactions are more obvious with fewer people out and about. Social distancing becomes an issue since black market transactions are more discreet. We are not endorsing illegal activities; just reporting on the trends.

The divide between homeowners and renters separates marijuana use. If you are shelter-in-place and you can't smoke or grow marijuana, your options are limited. They have more options than most people on the planet.

Quebec raised its marijuana age to 21 as of the first of the year. Alberta sets the age at 18 while the other provinces are at 19. So between Ottawa (Ontario) and Gatineau (Quebec), the 18-year-old Ontario kid would be tempted to cross the border for a beer while the 19-year-old and 20-year-old Quebec kid would be tempted to cross the border for a joint.

What marijuana tourism in Ontario will look like on Opening Day

Marijuana tourists to Ontario will have to wait awhile

Marijuana travel to Canada is on hold. Only essential travel between the United States and Canada is allowed. Do not list marijuana as a reason to cross the border. Combining that marijuana travel with a Toronto Blue Jays game or a Vancouver Whitecaps MLS game is also on hold.

We were hoping to take advantage of that in the summer of 2020 and report back. That is also on hold.

Opening Day (finally) for marijuana edibles in Canada

2019 Canada Day notebook: More delays with edibles

Being in Canada where cannabis is legal but nowhere to be found

Opening Day for legal recreational marijuana in Canada

Our guide to legal marijuana in Canada

Some people are using edibles to get through the anxiety of coping with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. The non-edible form is part of stress eating. If you choose to go the edible route, a few points you should consider.

Store them separately and far away from young children if they are in the house. Start small with edibles: they aren't the instant high from smoking marijuana. A little bit really goes a long way with edibles. Learn what your body can handle: start with 5 mg or 10 mg if you really aren't sure.

Canadians have options in these uncertain times.

photo credit: me

Opening Day (finally) for marijuana edibles in Canada

Only a year and 60 days after Canada introduced legal marijuana, Canada now has legal edibles with the emphasis on legal.

Technically, edibles have been legal since October 17, the one-year anniversary of legal marijuana in Canada. The timelines in the cannabis regulations didn't allow for edibles, extracts, and topicals to be available in that 60-day window.

Canadians might not be able to get them today, even with the legal status, depending on availability.

There will be no gummy bears or anything youth-oriented in the edibles. THC-infused drinks are a real option. Health Canada has limited the THC content of cannabis edibles to 10 mg per package.

Having edibles opens up possibilities for tourists and others to enjoy marijuana in public since they bypass the smoking of the product. If you are considering that option, keep in mind that provincial laws and often local laws are in force on public consumption.

If you are new to edibles, less is better than more. We might poke fun at how slow Canada has been on edibles, but each individual should learn how much they can handle.

Having 2.5 mg as an initial dose might be a good place to start. Don't let experts with a higher tolerance steer you otherwise. You can always try a higher dosage as you experiment.

A reminder that 30 mg is the maximum amount you can carry on your person in Canada. Don't bring anything marijuana into the United States from Canada.

2019 Canada Day notebook: More delays with edibles

What marijuana tourism in Ontario will look like on Opening Day

Being in Canada where cannabis is legal but nowhere to be found

Opening Day for legal recreational marijuana in Canada

Marijuana tourists to Ontario will have to wait awhile

Our guide to legal marijuana in Canada

23 consecutive workdays, 7,296km driven and 16 Cannabis Pro stories filed, #CannabisAcrossCanada is now complete.

In year one of post-prohibition Canada, my goal was to learn what went wrong. Here is how to make it right in year two. #Elexn43 #cdnpoli https://t.co/7KEYXw38Kr

— Jameson Berkow (@grassreporter) October 19, 2019

Jameson Berkow from The Globe and Mail traveled across Canada to get a sense on how well or poorly the selling of marijuana depending on where you are in Canada.

We have read some incredible numbers that legal marijuana has not worked out as well in the first year. Those numbers are really problematic for those who invested a lot of time and money in marijuana. The lack of edibles could have a lot to do with those numbers.

The black market will remain strong in Canada, especially in Ontario. Having legal edibles brings in a more casual market that might not have a dealer on speed dial. We might have to wait another year to see how well Canada is really doing with legal marijuana.

The black market could be a larger factor in Quebec since the minimum age will go up from 18 to 21 on January 1. The minimum cannabis age in Canada is 19, except in Alberta where the legal age is 18.  The contrast is more stark since the Quebec drinking age is 18.

What's Tempting: Marijuana edibles (BalanceofFood.com)

Your Guide to Canada's Edible Pot Rules (Front Burner CBC Radio)

Individual states are also taking their own paths to marijuana legalisation. Michigan allowed the sale of recreational marijuana on December 1. On the state's opening day, there were 6 locations in the entire state where you could buy pot: a location each in Evert and Morenci. Evert is southeast of Cadillac in the lower finger part of the state while Morenci is southwest of Ann Arbor so close to the state line you can likely smell Ohio from the parking lot. The other 4 locations are in Ann Arbor with 0 in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing. Battle Creek, Traverse City, Flint, Saginaw, and Bay City combined.

I happened to be in a car going east on Liberty Street in downtown Ann Arbor on the morning of December 1. The long line was to get into Arbors Wellness on East Liberty Street.

John Sinclair was at the front of that line. Sinclair was given a 9½-10 year prison sentence for giving 2 marijuana joints to an undercover cop in 1969. "They gave him ten for two — what else can the bastards do?" were lyrics from the John Lennon song John Sinclair.

The Michigan Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional the state's marijuana statutes and Sinclair was released from prison in December 1971. The star-studded John Sinclair Freedom Rally pretty much led to the annual Hash Bash rally.

The Michigan story is to remind people that not every place is as well organised on marijuana as Alberta or Colorado. Michigan is getting a lot more locations soon, sooner than Ontario did. As a contrast, Michiganders are allowed to keep 10 oz. of marijuana (versus 30 grams on one's person in Canada) at home and grow up to 12 plants (4 in most of Canada, but 0 in Quebec and Manitoba).

Marc Emery is the most prominent Canadian marijuana activist. Emery, Sinclair, and lots of lesser known people fought and made sacrifices with a goal of legal marijuana. Their sacrifices should be noted.

video credit: CBC News
photo credit: me
Twitter capture: @grassreporter

2019 Canada Day notebook: More delays with edibles

Editor's note: We take a moment before the Canada Day celebration to reflect on recent Canadian stories. Canada Day is July 1 on Monday, so we run this today. Have a safe and wonderful long weekend.

The impact of edibles can change marijuana tourism in Canada. Unfortunately for marijuana tourists, that impact is reduced and delayed.

The original idea was that October 17, forever known as marijuana legalisation day, would be the target date for edibles. Existing federally regulated processors can apply to Health Canada on July 15. The October 17 deadline marks 60 days before edibles can be sold in Canada. So Christmas sales, yes, but supplies will be limited.

Each individual package will be limited to a maximum of 10 mg of THC. My expert friends find the 10 mg standard to be a joke. If you are not an expert, 2.5 mg is a good starting point. The types of edibles will be scrutinized by Health Canada. So no to gummy bears if they are appealing to children. Cannabis extracts and topicals (ointments, oils, makeup) will also be available in mid-December.

Edibles will not have alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, or caffeine with exceptions for low amounts of naturally occurring caffeine, such as chocolate.

What's Tempting: Marijuana edibles (BalanceofFood.com)

Your Guide to Canada's Edible Pot Rules (Front Burner CBC Radio)

As someone who went to California over the winter and legally bought edibles, the Trudeau Government is going way overboard in every element. Safety should be a factor and children shouldn't ingest any sort of marijuana product. Education is important but structuring that is difficult when people don't know what the product will look like.

Anna Maria Tremonti to leave The Current this week

The Trudeau Government approved the Trans Mountain pipeline. I learned from The Current series on CBC Radio One that the Trans Mountain pipeline will run parallel to the current pipeline but somehow triple the capacity. The primary issue will be tanker traffic in Burnaby and the difficulty to get the oil to the West Coast. The tankers would have to sail through Vancouver Harbour under the Lions Gate Bridge into the Burrard Inlet.

The argument is that the Liberals aren't pleasing anyone with the decision (lots of pipelines vs. no pipelines). So Jason Kenney and the UCP in Alberta are upset about oil not getting to the West Coast but the current Trans Mountain pipeline gets to Burnaby, the same place the expansion will also end.

Andrew Scheer released the Conservative Party take on climate change. The carbon tax is a conservative idea that isn't that effective in fighting climate change. The conservatives have been fighting the carbon tax, even though households will get reimbursed for most of that money. Scheer's ideas are fine but will have far-less of an effect than even the carbon tax.

I also don't get why they have to send raw bitumen through the pipelines instead of refining the oil in Alberta (more jobs). British Columbia has expressed that concern from an environmental standpoint since bitumen spills are more costly to the environment than regular oil spills.

I really want to understand all of these rationales. I don't know if Canadians know the answers and so the news doesn't talk about it or I am the only one who is curious on either side of the border.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada has a new book on The Art of Diplomacy

Kelly Knight Craft may leave U.S. Ambassador to Canada post for promotion

We thought that Kelly Knight Craft seemed extra invisible in her limited time as U.S. Ambassador to Canada. Craft is the nominee to be the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

Under questioning in front of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, we learned that Craft was gone from her post more than 300 days over 19 months. We also learned that Craft posted social media messages from outside of Canada at times where there was no record of travel. Craft was absent 45 of 54 days between March 21 and May 13; some of her absences involved visits back home to Kentucky.

Craft cited visits to Montréal and Washington, where she said she was part of U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer's negotiating team. Montréal trips aren't a concern; Washington trips can be justified. Her presence on the trade negotiating team, if that is true, should be alarming to Canada and the concept of being an ambassador. The ambassador role should be a go-between with the two countries. Her presence on the trade negotiating team is the equivalent of the butcher having a thumb on the scale.

Craft told the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee that she received approval for her travel. That means little, especially if those trips were to go back to Kentucky.

The U.S. Ambassador to Canada is supposed to be about Canada. Craft couldn't even pretend otherwise. Her arrogance should be grounds not to get a promotion but the problem for Canada is that she might have to return to Lexington, er, Ottawa to continue to do a poor job in her current position.

CanadianCrossing.com Canadian politics coverage

Bill 21 is law in Quebec though the law is being challenged. The bill would ban religious symbols from public servants, defined to include teachers, lawyers, and police officers, while at work. You might remember the previous Liberal government pushed a less severe version of the bill.

Quebec Premier François Legault’s CAQ government along with the Parti Quebecois voted in favour while the Liberals and Quebec solidaire were opposed. The primary target is Muslim women for the hijab or niqab but also affects Sikh men and Orthodox Jewish men. A provision was made for teachers as long as they remain in their position at their school.

The tug-of-war is about secularism vs. targeting religious minorities. The idea of a "secularism police" is remnant of the "language police" of previous times in La Belle Province.

Whatever you might think about these religious symbols, we think that governments requiring them is reprehensible. Having a government say you can't wear something also feels reprehensible.

CanadianCrossing.com travel coverage

Air Canada tells us the Tiffani Adams story is true, though you would have a hard time believing the story. We definitely advocate for traveling to and within Canada. Just be aware of your surroundings, whether you are the passenger or the carrier.

Canadian sports notebook: Record number of Canadians in the 2019 NBA draft

We normally put several sports stories in the Canada Day notebook. We had too many stories in the sports notebook so we gave them a separate notebook on Wednesday.

photo credit: me
video credit: CBC News

What marijuana tourism in Ontario will look like on Opening Day

"Ontario won't open private stores until at least April 1, 2019" — me, November 13, 2018

Canadian provinces have run into a few problems with having enough product in its stores since marijuana was legalised in Canada on October 17, 2018. Those provinces didn't have trouble getting the stores up and running.

Ontario had the "ambitious" goal of 25 stores in the largest province in Canada, 5 of those locations in Toronto, the largest city in the province and country. Even then, not all of those 25 stores will open on time thanks to the intensely rigorous process established by the Doug Ford Government.

The Liberals under Kathleen Wynne wanted a similar system to LCBO and the Beer Store where the Ford Government preferred private locations.

The bad timing is also bad financial news for the store owners. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) requires a $6,000 non-refundable fee and a $50,000 letter of credit. The organisation has the power to draw down $12,500 for each week the stores are not open.

If you are looking for a sweet spot for legal marijuana in Toronto, look no further than Queen Street West. The Hunny Pot at 202 Queen Street West (open Monday) and Nova Cannabis on 499 Queen Street West would be a good place to start.

Another good collective spot will be Tokyo Smoke (333 Yonge Street) and Canna Cabana at 435(B) Yonge Street. Canna Cabana has a few locations in Alberta as well as proposed locations in Hamilton and Sudbury. The Tokyo Smoke location is the old HMV record and video store.

The final Toronto location is Ameri at 20 Cumberland Street west, just north of the Yonge-Bloor intersection. Ameri will be ready to go on April 1.

If you haven’t been to Toronto, getting to those locations is pretty easy. Yonge Street marks the east-west point.

You can take the Queen streetcar west from either the Queen Street stop (at Yonge/0 Queen West) or Osgoode stop (130 Queen West). 499 Queen Street West is just west of Spadina near Chinatown.

333 Yonge Street is just north of Dundas Square near the Dundas stop on the Yonge Street line. 20 Cumberland Street West is a very short walk north and slightly west from the Bloor-Yonge stop.

Being in Canada where cannabis is legal but nowhere to be found

Opening Day for legal recreational marijuana in Canada

Here is the breakdown of the 25 locations in the province:

• 5 locations: Toronto (2 ready to open April 1)
• 3 locations: Ottawa (ready to open April 1); London (1 ready to open April 1)
• 2 locations: Kingston (ready to open April 1); Hamilton; Sudbury
• 1 location: St. Catharines (ready to open April 1); Brampton (ready to open April 1); Burlington (ready to open April 1); Oshawa; Ajax; Niagara Falls

You can check the status of the locations. At press time, 11 of the 25 locations will be ready to go on April 1.

Ottawa, the national capital, will be able to help those federal legislators and bureaucrats. There is a location in the Byward Market and a location south of downtown on Bank Street, about 2 km north of TD Place, home of the CFL Ottawa RedBlacks.

London is the furthest west in the province with a store, so people in Windsor will have about a 2-hour drive. The locations hug Lake Ontario with the exception of Ottawa, Sudbury, and London.

The Public Notice period has ended for all prospective provincial locations with the exception of the Yonge Street locations in Toronto: Tokyo Smoke (April 2) and Canna Cabana Toronto (April 9).

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There are shops that are technically illegal that are still in operation, mostly in Toronto.

Those in Ontario can order marijuana off the official province Web site. The online option lends itself to credit cards, a risk for Canadians wanting to cross the border. Having an online option limits marijuana tourism.

If you are traveling by car to participate in marijuana tourism, know that the provinces have set up nuanced rules on how marijuana can be transported by car. The Toronto locations don't require a car.

There still aren't any edibles, so you also have to find a place to consume the product.

photo credit: me