This Is The One Huge Thing That's Going To Suck About Legal Weed In Canada

arijuana legalization sounds fun and freeing on paper, but in practice, it could be disastrous for Canadians.

Due to the rather strict marijuana-related laws enforced by federal and provincial governments, Canadians can look forward to (or the opposite) an influx of criminal charges and court cases.

"I would foresee for the first couple of years it's going to be a nightmare, really." said Andrew Barbacki, a criminal lawyer speaking to the Canadian Press.

Daniel Weinstock, law professor at McGill University, shared the same sentiment when telling his students to go into criminal law, noting that there will be “a steady stream of customers” due to citizens facing marijuana-related charges.

Rather rigid zero-tolerance marijuana policies will likely be the major cause for legal concern among Canadians, especially in Quebec.

Anyone caught under driving “under the influence” of marijuana in Quebec will have their license revoked, automatically, for 90 days. The driver doesn’t even need to be “high,” per se, but merely have a detectable amount of marijuana in their system.

But small amounts of cannabis can stay in a person’s system days after being smoked or eaten, points out Avi Levy, a lawyer who runs Ticket 911, a company that provides legal services to individuals facing driving violations.

Legal experts predict that the amount of impaired driving charges will skyrocket, putting a major strain on the court system. Not to mention being a major nuisance to Canadians who are merely enjoying what will be a legal substance.

Quebec will also make it illegal to buy marijuana from an unsanctioned dispensary or dealer. The only place to purchase cannabis will be at the Société Québécoise du Cannabis.

Growing marijuana at home will also be illegal in Quebec.

So if you buy you weed from anyone/where that isn’t government-regulated, or try to grow your own, you can bet the strong arm of the law will come crashing down on you.

Politicians and police will probably be even more eagle-eyed looking for marijuana-related infractions since they won’t want to look like they’re “soft on drugs,” points out the Canadian Press.

The justice system will also be blocked up buy the huge influx of marijuana-related charges, which many citizens will (hopefully) contest in court.

Unfortunately, this is the major downside to marijuana legalization. A legal framework for marijuana use means more restrictions, and consequences.

Since we’ll be legally “allowed” to buy and smoke weed, the government basically has the right to say when and where marijuana use is appropriate. Any infractions will then lead to fines or charges.

It’s almost like a thinly-veiled prohibition, points out Weinstock.

Keep on

Just lawyers having wet dreams. The zero tolerance for drivers bullshit is so obviously unconstitutional it's laughable. It won't survive the first challenge. Same as the ban on home grows. Cultivation is federal jurisdiction and provinces to not have the power to strip it's citizens of a federal right. These lawyers are almost as bad as the cops, ffs. Beware Canada! The evil weed is about to swallow your children whole and you will go to prison - because it's legal. Fuck off and legalize already. We'll straighten the idiots out pretty quick.

I for one plan to switch careers. As a "pothead" I shouldn't be allowed to do anything but push a mop and be a pedestrian. They have a clear idea about what "dope heads" should and shouldn't do. So if you work with tools, kids,heights, electricity, heavy/light machinery, sharp objects or any foreseeable hazard whatsoever stop what you're doing and reconsider your potential in light of the fact that you are a massive liability.....unless you're a cliche barely employed, dirty hippy that rides a bike in which case ...as you were!

Toxic Avenger said:

.....unless you're a cliche barely employed, dirty hippy that rides a bike in which case ...as you were!

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Whew !!!!!

What's he got against bikes anyways?

Toxic Avenger said:

work with tools, kids,heights, electricity, heavy/light machinery, sharp objects...

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I do all of those things because I smoke cannabis. If I used pain pills, I wouldn't leave the house. Wonder how long it's gonna take to educate the idiots?

Toxic Avenger said:

I for one plan to switch careers. As a "pothead" I shouldn't be allowed to do anything but push a mop and be a pedestrian. They have a clear idea about what "dope heads" should and shouldn't do. So if you work with tools, kids,heights, electricity, heavy/light machinery, sharp objects or any foreseeable hazard whatsoever stop what you're doing and reconsider your potential in light of the fact that you are a massive liability.....unless you're a cliche barely employed, dirty hippy that rides a bike in which case ...as you were!

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Since most of the potheads are above average intelligence, chances are they will just become lawyers, engineers and doctors, whilst on welfare, with OHIP (or equivalent).

The rest of you can work for a living.

SASKATCHEWAN

DAN SOUL, STAFF MONDAY, JAN. 8TH, 2018


The Saskatchewan Government has determined how marijuana will be sold in the province.

The province will have private retailers selling with the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Association overseeing the process. To start 60 cannabis distribution permits in total will be given to 40 eligible cities and towns with a population over 2,500. Larger cities will be given more distribution permits.

All retailers who receive the cannabis permits must be standalone, selling only cannabis products and accessories. Retailers will also be able to sell online as well. A two phase process will be used to determine which retailers will be given the permits. The first phase will screen for the financial capacity and ability to track and report inventory movement through a cannabis supply chain. The second phase of the process will be a lottery or random determination from the selected applicants. The application process will begin in the spring.

Lloydminster is set to receive two distribution licenses. Other towns in the area set to have permits are North Battleford, Battleford and Onion Lake First Nation. First Nations and municipalities have the ability to opt out of having a retail cannabis store in their town should they choose. The SLGA will begin discussions with these communities this week.

The Government of Saskatchewan plans to review this model when it is put into place, and possibly allow for more cannabis licenses one year to 18 months after legalization.

Farmer.J said:

SASKATCHEWAN

DAN SOUL, STAFF MONDAY, JAN. 8TH, 2018


The Saskatchewan Government has determined how marijuana will be sold in the province.

The province will have private retailers selling with the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Association overseeing the process. To start 60 cannabis distribution permits in total will be given to 40 eligible cities and towns with a population over 2,500. Larger cities will be given more distribution permits.

All retailers who receive the cannabis permits must be standalone, selling only cannabis products and accessories. Retailers will also be able to sell online as well. A two phase process will be used to determine which retailers will be given the permits. The first phase will screen for the financial capacity and ability to track and report inventory movement through a cannabis supply chain. The second phase of the process will be a lottery or random determination from the selected applicants. The application process will begin in the spring.

Lloydminster is set to receive two distribution licenses. Other towns in the area set to have permits are North Battleford, Battleford and Onion Lake First Nation. First Nations and municipalities have the ability to opt out of having a retail cannabis store in their town should they choose. The SLGA will begin discussions with these communities this week.

The Government of Saskatchewan plans to review this model when it is put into place, and possibly allow for more cannabis licenses one year to 18 months after legalization.

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Good start at least someone sees that letting existing liquor stores will not create extra jobs and new industry and would just funnel money into the pockets of liquor store owners. BC should do the same.

If those private retailers can only sell current LP weed...what’s the point?!?! Biz is sure gonna be slow until the micro licensees show up.

I haven't heard of the Sask. lottery for opening a liquor store....same requirements for reporting etc. otherwise, but what is the justification to limiting retail outlets to 60, when there are obviously more entrepreneurs that want to open shop? Artificially limiting retailers to control the retail market is not the roll of government I smell another court challenge.

TheRealDman said:

If those private retailers can only sell current LP weed...what’s the point?!?! Biz is sure gonna be slow until the micro licensees show up.

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I think it'll be booming. The average person is not going to seek out underground weed sellers to save $$$ and the average person will out number the current rec users 100 to 1. Just like tons of people drink cheap beer/liquor/wine so will people smoke what others think is inferior weed. Also don't expect there to be quality underground weed as I think the market will crash and if weed is not moving wholesale not many people will grow it since you can't sell it or if they do, won't put the effort into growing quality just quantity, especially when its $800 per lb like its starting to be here.

When it comes to the grower part I'm on it like flies on shit as it affects my business and I'm seeing some serious stress in old school guys and some are finally accepting that its pretty much guaranteed to be over for making a living from it. Personally I think 50%+ of hydro stores in BC with in 6 months after legalization will shut down as there's not going to be enough people growing personally to offset the loss of the underground growers. That's my I'm trying to get out of my store before shit hits the fan and go work for someone else and have the money from my shares as a back up to either start an online business or build a business plan for something other retail business.

Also I do have two friends who have the funding to start a weed store if BC actually doesn't change its mind on the "private" store front not related to beer/wine stores. Will see at the end of this month or early Feb what regulations they release. I've heard from a couple people who know beer/wine store owners that they are lobbying pretty hard to get BC to only allowed it in beer/wine stores.

But the average person has their sources developed already and if the BM beats the legal price sure as shit they'll pay less....I just can't see the BM going away with $10-$xx g from legal sources.

WHATFG said:

But the average person has their sources developed already and if the BM beats the legal price sure as shit they'll pay less....I just can't see the BM going away with $10-$xx g from legal sources.

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But they don't as a lot don't smoke for legal reasons and those people out number everyday smokers 100-1. I know quite a few people who go to van dispensaries now when instead of the BM, As its convenient, no need to hook up and you can browse while you shop. My buddy has a condo above a dispensary in Vancouver, when I'm there I watch how many people go there and its nuts, its consonantly 2-3 people in and out with $10-15/g. The people would rather have convenience and pay the higher price rather than buy from a dealer.

CannaReview said:

But they don't as a lot don't smoke for legal reasons and those people out number everyday smokers 100-1. I know quite a few people who go to van dispensaries now when instead of the BM, As its convenient, no need to hook up and you can browse while you shop. My buddy has a condo above a dispensary in Vancouver, when I'm there I watch how many people go there and its nuts, its consonantly 2-3 people in and out with $10-15/g. The people would rather have convenience and pay the higher price rather than buy from a dealer.

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But you have remember, the dispensaries are so busy because they are NOT selling current LP schwag!

I visit the local dispensary occasionally for variety and I do like the convenience, but at $10/g it's a treat. I can see the weekend warrior choosing to buy retail, but if the quality isn't there, the convenience doesn't justify the price. If the BM is cheaper and better, people will do what they've always done. A heavier smoker will likely grow or have a friend 'share' some with them, they ain't paying $280 oz +tax

CannaReview said:

. Also don't expect there to be quality underground weed as I think the market will crash and if weed is not moving wholesale not many people will grow it since you can't sell it or if they do, won't put the effort into growing quality just quantity, especially when its $800 per lb like its starting to be here.

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I think there will be good product coming from the craft growers, some will be shwag too. You are probably right about the amount of people who will be home growers. At the start you will see an influx but growing is time consuming and it takes up space in a house. Way more people will be new tokers than new growers. Many of the people who actually want to grow already are. The ratio will be sorta like how many people drink alcohol compared to how many brew there own. And a lot of people will be buying from stores for convenience and to follow the law. Most people don't buy moonshine out of car trunks or illegal cigarettes. They go to a store and buy there favorite brand.

cannabis will eventualy have price points and variety like we have with booze. What does a really high end scotch go for vs JW red? Maybe countries/regions with proper climates/hype/terroir will become huge players. Will it effect other cash crops like grapes, potatoes, coffee, nuts, coke?

100:1 ratio of those waiting for it to become legal....WTF. Imo that number is way high...WAY high.
I've met very few folks who would try it because it's now legal. Counting on thousands proportionally who would just start up because it's legal is not going to happen.
The stores here in Ont will seem super busy at first with a lot of small purchases and curiosity. After that, it will all go down hill from there. It's like any new restaurant that opens. Busy at first...dead 2 years later. Unless the food is incredible. Otherwise it's becomes " been there, tried that " Look around yourself and you'll see that true. LOts of tricks the BM can do to keep customers.
The BM will fully flourish......just waiting to grab new customers. I'm sure a small hang out near one of the schwagg store would net plenty of new customers.....can anyone spell recruitment?
The only advantage the stores will see is selection. Stores will definitely have a lot more strains to choose from. At stupid high prices too. Possibly sprayed on to boot. Not to mention i'll bet very few are not the same as the next strain. Without a craft grower supplying, It's all gonna be commercial grade dried out poor quality unremarkable schwaggs. The only ones fooled will be the newbs...but not after they smoke better elsewhere.

just imagine the opportunity for a store employee ...to maybe promote their own small business...
here's my business card...lol

"The justice system will also be blocked up buy the huge influx of marijuana-related charges, which many citizens will (hopefully) contest in court. "

this is also key...especially with common sense issues that seem to get blown way out of proportion when cannabis is involved.

it would be nice if all the straight arrows...would just do a 1 week bender on weed....to see that
A. after the initial buzz which can be intense for some...strain and quality dependent...
they find out they won't die, or become so impaired that they can't function
B. continued use after the initial buzz has worn off...for a period of say 1 week,they would realize the continued buzz is pleasant but usually no where near the first couple of joints...

C. no matter who you are after that 1 week a person can easily quit and never be mentally or physically affected by the experience at least negatively...unless you really do not like to enjoy yourself.