https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbPoNj6jhxY&t=2s
On October 17th, 2018, Canada officially legalised weed, but did this actually change anything within Canadian society?
Prior to the official legalisation date, weed was decriminalised for years–meaning possessions of small amounts of weed did not carry extreme criminal penalties. Although the country is the second country ever to legalise marijuana after Uruguay, it doesn’t seem like much has changed since October 17th.
Important understand is it's been decriminalized (the equivilant of US legalization status) for years. Cdns have long been able to buy weed at dispensaries. The only difference of legalization is that now cannabis products are exclusively sold on the provincial gov't website. (1)
— Fraser Allan Best (@FraserAllanBest) October 31, 2018
Ultimately it's caused relatively little controversy, since social cons already lost the fight years ago. On the ground, the biggest impact is that now it takes longer to get it, since gov't weed has to be shipped once you order it, rather than just bought at a dispensary. (2)
— Fraser Allan Best (@FraserAllanBest) October 31, 2018
Dr Oyedeji Ayonrinde, an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Queen’s University told Voice of London:
“For young engaged consumers, not much has changed. For risk-averse others, about 16% are considering use now that it is legal. Many are not in a hurry to relinquish their ‘weed man’ yet and others are suspicious of buying from the government. In clinical practice, there is still low literacy and understanding of broader cannabinoids effects. Still a new legislation but no radical observations generally.”
Words and Animation: Salvi Shahlaie | Subbing: Benedetta Laterza