It may come as a surprise to most British Columbians, but marijuana is still illegal. I say it may come as a surprise because today you can’t throw a bong in downtown Vancouver without hitting a medical marijuana dispensary. Squamish has, of course, followed suit and our little burg has its own dispensaries serving primo ganja to happy customers.
But, it is still illegal, according to the federal government. You need to have a valid medical prescription from a doctor to buy it and some sort of licence, according to the law.
Except in B.C. where you don’t because the police have decided they have bigger crimes to pursue than some middle class folks smoking a little reefer.
That’s why you need little more than some ID to purchase weed in some establishments, much to the chagrin of critics.
The rest of Canada isn’t the same at all. In both Montreal and Toronto there have been recently very public busts of marijuana dispensaries, which really are the same as the ones running without a care here in Squamish and the rest of the Lower Mainland.
I have friends in the rest of the country who are very jealous that in B.C. you can essentially buy marijuana like you were picking up a six-pack for the weekend.
But that’s all going to change in July 2018, apparently, because that’s when the Liberals say they will legalize recreational pot in Canada.
Some fear it will lead to greater use among minors and increased car accidents, while others like that it will mean police will be able to screen drivers for weed intoxication, plus people can feel safe they’re getting weed in their weed. The fentanyl crisis has taught recreational drug users to fear the unknown.
And, let’s not forget legalized weed will mean it will be easier to research its effects, both pros and cons.
The losers may actually end up being those mom and pop dispensaries in B.C. that are currently open, in favour of more corporate entities.
You see, the feds haven’t exactly said who they will eventually allow to sell the new legal weed, although apparently each province will get to figure out its own rules. So, Squamish’s dispensaries may stay open, or the Shoppers Drug Mart may be where you go to buy your legal weed in 2018. Who knows?
But, whether you agree or not, partake in the herb or not, legalization is indeed coming to Canada next year. The big question now, is who will be profiting from out legal highs in the end?
