As of Oct. 17, 2018, Canada’s pot legalization has taken over the country by storm. Next to Uruguay, Canada is now the second country in the world to legalize recreational marijuana.
While some Ontario citizens spend weed legalization day celebrating, others were left with mixed feelings and concerns about how the federal government will be able to regulate and control these laws.
After long and continuous deliberation from the federal government, Canada has now established laws about how, where and who can buy and possess cannabis in each province.
Cannabis legalization has also raised numerous questions including prohibited and permitted smoking areas and what will happen to the now ‘illegal’ dispensaries across the city.
Cannabis Legalization in Ontario
By Harrison Faulkner
This data covers the price and consumption statistics of marijuana in Canada. The data specifically analyzes the pricing of marijuana both medical and non-medical in Ontario from 2013-2017. What you can see here is that prices have been steadily falling for marijuana, making it more accessible. The second graph gives a representation of the average annual consumption of marijuana per capita in different provinces. British Columbia, not surprisingly, had the highest average annual consumption.
How We(ed) Got Here
By Harrison Faulkner
The timeline goes through a series of events starting with the very first medical marijuana regulation in 2001, all the way to October 17, 2018, the day that recreational marijuana use was legalized Canada-wide.
Speak Visually. Create an infographic with Visme
Making Weed HIGHly Accessible
-here-
By Giulia Fiaoni
Since the legalization of recreational cannabis in Ontario, many have wondered how the government of Ontario plans to sell the product. As well as what this means for existing cannabis dispensaries in Toronto and the black market.
The government of Ontario has revealed that until 2019, the only legal purchasing method of cannabis in Ontario is through the government-ran website, Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS).
In terms of plans for future store fronts, the previous provincial Liberal government planned on giving the LCBO control over the sale of recreational marijuana. However, Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative government plans on turning to the private sector for in-store sales instead.
Media outlets have been reporting that legislation is pointing towards an unlimited number of stores located in Ontario, but licensed growers may be limited to one store each. There is also legislation being drafted regarding minimum distance requirements between cannabis shops and schools, according to media reports.
What is happening to old and existing cannabis stores
The Government of Ontario website states that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is positioned to be the provincial regulator of the marketplace in regards to revoking and granting store licenses.
All currently existing illegal pot shops that choose to continue operating will lose their right to apply for a legal license in the future
Tory vs. Keesmaat on Cannabis
by Madi Wong
The Toronto mayoral election is coming up this Monday, Oct. 22, 2018.
Cannabis legalization in Ontario is one of many topics that have been discussed amongst the candidates.
The two front-runners for the city’s election are current Toronto mayor, John Tory and mayoral candidate Jennifer Keesmaat. Both of whom have made comments regarding their concerns and thoughts on cannabis in the city.
Tory says that while he supports cannabis legalization he is contingent on the safety of neighborhoods, public health and increased enforcement being prioritized.
Similar to Tory, Keesmaat emphasizes that ensuring the public is protected. In particular, she said that the safety measures of second-hand inhalation and usage around children should be viewed as important when discussing cannabis laws.
Things to Know About Cannabis in Ontario
By Madi Wong
In case you were curious about Ontario’s rules for weed legalization, here is a photo collection of five things you should know.
More information can be found at https://www.ontario.ca/page/cannabis-legalization#section-1.
Canada’s Trail Blazing
Op-Ed By Harrison Faulkner
On October 17th, Canada became only the second nation in the world to fully legalize the recreational use of marijuana. Many Canadians are rightly going to remember this day for the rest of their lives. The legalization of marijuana however, represents a much larger, more momentous achievement for Canada. By making such a decision, the Trudeau government has put Canada back on the map, in a big way.
It’s fair to say that Canada is largely the forgotten nation even though we are second largest land mass. For many Canadians, that is something that they’ve come to terms with. I for one, hate it. Canada has so much more to offer to the world than the majority of countries, and its fair to also say that most people in the world would give their left arm to live here. We have freedoms and opportunities here that most people simply couldn’t fathom. Now we can chalk another liberty up on the board.
The pessimist might say that Canada should be respected the world over for its equality, natural resources and people, rather than being a safe haven for stoners. However, either which way you look at it, we are back on the map. Canada is being talked about all over the world and we are being watched all over the world.
Let’s get back to being leaders by example. Let’s being with us the world on our freshly blazed path.
Follow us on Twitter at @Section4Group3
#Ontario citizens, if you want to know more about #CannabisLegalization in our province, visit https://t.co/mqT6fEIrps for more information.
The site provides information on rules for the workplace and where you may or may not use it. pic.twitter.com/HrHLv1sVrx
— JRN Section 4 Group 3 (@Section4Group3) October 19, 2018
Have you purchased cannabis online at the Ontario Cannabis Store (https://t.co/AHGEDoTbo3) since legalization on Wednesday? Let us know! #CannabisLegalization
— JRN Section 4 Group 3 (@Section4Group3) October 19, 2018
.@jen_keesmaat and @TorontosMayor have both made comments about their concerns and thoughts about #CannabisLegalization in Ontario.
Here is some of the things they had to say: pic.twitter.com/d8xgCSxkxU
— JRN Section 4 Group 3 (@Section4Group3) October 19, 2018
This is @madiwongg managing the account for #JRN270 section four, group three. Our group will be discussing #CannabisLegalization in #Ontario and its relations to the upcoming #Toronto mayoral election. Stay tuned for more information and content.
— JRN Section 4 Group 3 (@Section4Group3) October 19, 2018
Follow us on Instagram @Section4Group3
Leave a Reply