Canada is going to pot, literally. Personally, I have thought so since our last (2016) federal election, but that’s another story.
Today, October 17th, 2018, Canada is legalizing marijuana, much to the chagrin of many citizens. This was an election promise our prime minister made to win votes from the younger age group. He’s now making good on that promise with as much thought and preparation (not much) as many other ridiculous and ill-advised things he is responsible for.
AKA pot, weed, or cannabis, marijuana can now be smoked anywhere (with few exceptions) regular cigarettes are allowed. Users are supposed to act responsibly. Parks, arenas and recreational centers are pot-free, but this will be very difficult to enforce. As will driving under the influence of pot if roadside testing is as inefficient and flawed as rumored. So difficult in fact that the mayor of Ottawa predicts legalizing pot will cost the city (at least) a cool 8 million dollars per year. The federal government has created (another) the mess but is leaving the municipalities to deal with the fallout. Great, just what this country needs, more examples of how to fritter away the taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars.
Hoping to remove the (still) illegal street sources, the new laws say brick and mortar stores must apply for a license to sell pot. These licenses will not be available until spring, so these stores currently open for business must close their doors and reopen when they have been granted a license. Those that do not close while waiting for their license will be shut down by authorities and will relinquish their right to ever obtain such a license. Until then pot is only available (legally) through government-run facilities. Yep, that will eliminate the illegal sources. Not.
So, who wins with this new legislation? The group of individuals that already (not so covertly) smoke pot recreationally. Partakers have been asked to “use pot responsibly.” The problem is (or will be) that this group of people is not typically recognized for being responsible or their sensitivity to other people’s concerns, more focused on their own wants and needs. Who cares if pot has been proven to adversely affect the health of children, pets, and anyone else with a set of lungs? Not them.
Who loses? Anyone that prefers and strives to keep their own and their loved ones’ lungs smoke and drug-free. And the taxpayers who are left holding the bag. This YouTube video by Bryan Cox and Jason Leblanc is one of those funny/not funny things. You either laugh or cry.
Right on Lori.