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CategoriesCulture, Education, Guides, Marijuana Legalization, Marijuana News by

Canada Legalized – What U.S. Visitors Should Know Before They Head North to Higher Country

Cannabis legalization happened across all of Canada on October 17th, 2018. For adults 18 and older, you can now for take in a wake and bake without the fear of prosecution. The same can’t be said for Canada’s sister to the South.
The United States of America is behind many places in the world including Canada when it comes to ending draconian cannabis prohibition. Politicians and federal authorities tinker and toy with the lives of millions of citizens while just one imaginary line to the north freedom exists. The United States of America is supposed to be united, but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore.
It’s more like the land of who has the most money. If you want to enjoy cannabis legally, there are only a handful of states in which you can do this on a retail or recreational level. However, if you go to Canada, you can partake in a wake and bake anywhere in the country. Before you go though there are some things you need to know.

Oh Canada, Here I Come

In order to get across the border, you’ll need a valid passport. If you’re going to bring your pet, make sure you have the proper paperwork. Don’t try to bring fruit across the border as that is a big no-no. Cigarettes and booze are available in limited quantities from duty-free stores. Don’t try to take back more than your supposed to though.
Should you be considering taking a gift to Canada, you’ll want to know if that gift is valued at more than $60. This is because if it is, you may be required to pay an additional tax. Driving in Canada is much the same as it ends in America except for some fundamental traffic laws and the speed limit. Speeds are measured in kilometers, not miles so remember its kilometers per hour not miles per hour.
Don’t smoke in a car if you have a minor child or you can find yourself in trouble. Whatever you do don’t ever text or talk on your phone going down the road unless it’s hands-free. You’ll also want to be sure that you have the right cheddar to spend while visiting Canada. US currency is accepted in many places but not everywhere.

There’s Still A Lot to Know Before You Go

If you’re used to roaming all over with your cell phone attached to your face, you better be ready for a wake-up visiting Canada. You could find yourself with excessive phone charges that some refer to as astronomical if you don’t have a pre-existing plan worked out for when you visit Canada.
If you have a criminal record, there is always the chance that you might not be permitted entry into Canada. Canadian border patrol agents can deny anyone entry into Canada. Even a DUI can get you denied.
Travel Insurance for healthcare when visiting Canada is another great idea to invest in. While Canada’s health care system covers a lot of things, it doesn’t include American visitors. If you get sick or hurt while you’re there, you could end up in despair at the costs.

Cheers to Cannabis, Beer, and Taxes Canada

Smoking cannabis is allowed for all adults. This means between the ages of 18-19 and up. Some provinces have laws allowing for the consumption of cannabis starting at 18 while others kick that age a year to 19. Make sure you know the rules in the province or provinces you plan to visit.
If you like to throw back a few beers, then be prepared for a slightly younger crowd than you’re used to in the US. The legal drinking age in Canada varies between 18 and 19 years old depending on what province you’re visiting. So, toss back them beers and say cheers, just be prepared to do so with a slightly younger crowd at some places.
If you’re familiar or used to shopping at dispensaries in the United States, then visiting Canada won’t be that much of a shock when it comes to taxes. There is an additional federal sales tax, and some provinces also add their own tax to things such as hotel and restaurant bills. This means that you can see as much as an extra 15% added to the total of what you were intending on spending.

Drink, Smoke, Eat, Play, and Be Merry in Canada

Canada offers all kinds of freedoms that you won’t find in the U.S. For America being the land of the free they sure seem to have a lot of rules restricting those freedoms. Maybe with luck, the U.S. will take a play from their neighbor to the north and listen to the people when it comes to cannabis.
The United States of America’s Federal Government started this draconian war on drugs and the attempted irradiation of cannabis. It’s time that they end it. Until then we’ll continue to fight for cannabis rights in America. At least now though we can venture north to enjoy true freedom in Canada from time to time.
Remember before you go, there are some things you’ll want to know. To find out where all the most lit events in cannabis are happening be sure to check out Expert Joints. Craig has all the latest and greatest info about cannabis in Canada. Above all though remember to consume responsibly and have fun.

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CategoriesAnalysis/Opinion, Marijuana News by

Canadian Government Marijuana Sales

The use of cannabis is gradually increasing in many countries. With over nine states in the USA legalizing it, the number is likely to increase. Other states have started following suit by voting for its legalization.
Canada has not been left behind and it will make history on October 17, 2018. The Federal Government will legalize recreational marijuana. The push has been there for years. Medical marijuana has been in use since 2000. However, there would be laws that’ll govern the sales, possession, and usage of marijuana.
The marijuana prices have already become a talk of the town with every investor stretching their hands to this soon to be gold-mine. However, the government has stepped in to regulate the sales.
I am going to discuss three important factors about Marijuana legalization in the country.
The Effect Marijuana Sales Will Have on the Economy
The marijuana business is a guaranteed huge payday to the Canadian Government. According to statistics, over C$6 billion was spent on marijuana in 2014. Remember, at this time marijuana was not legalized. The government was able to generate a tax of over C$400 million. Now the drug is about to be legalized. The number is likely to double or even triple.
Bloomberg.com has stated that the weed sale has exceeded what the largest plane manufacturer produces. Statcan – a statistics agency company – has conducted a research and found that legalization would greatly boost the country’s GDP.
The agency has also gone a step further to find out how much the weed will cost. The agency wants to compare the cost of marijuana while it’s legalized and when it was still under the black market. The drug price is likely to reduce but users will increase. If you do the math well, the overall sales will be higher.
Tourism
Canada is the home to rich culture and incredible wonders of nature. The Rocky Mountains and cities of Victoria, Calgary and Vancouver are mainly dominated by itineraries. These are just but a small number of attractions professed by the country.
The government marijuana sales are likely to hit this sector in a positive way. Canada is trying to compete with the industry in the USA which is considered to be abnormal. According to the CEO and co-founder of Cannabis Data Firm BDS analytics, all the pharmaceuticals industries are interested in the sales. The move is likely to welcome many visitors to the country. This is so because it seems like the government is backing up the sales. Many European countries are closely monitoring the legalization with the aim of starting to tour the country. With the expansion of tourism, the economy is likely to be boosted.
The measure of weed consumption
The Canadian government is obviously going to reap quite a fortune from the sales. Upon legalization of weed in Colorado, the state government was able to collect over $76 million and $87 million in the first and second year respectively. Canada is the second largest country in the world and one of the most populated countries in the world. The sales are likely to be more.
To get the data straight, the government came up with models to measure the amount of weed consumption. The data collected will help in establishing the amounts of dollars the government would be able to raise.
The government came up with these guidelines to help in getting the average weed consumption.

  • The number of people consuming the drug.
  • The number of grams each individual is likely to consume.
  • The number of days each individual can take consuming the weed in a year.
  • The price of each gram.

Let’s assume that 150,000 people consumed 2 grams for a year daily. Let’s also say the price of a pop is C4$.  If you do the math well, the overall amount spent would be over C$3 billion. This is an assumption. We have also not counted the kilograms of weed smuggled overseas or out of Canada.  This is likely to boost the GDP of Canada.
The mathematics we’ve done above only reflect recreational marijuana, we’ve left out medical marijuana.
The Takeaway
The Canadian government did a lot of calculations before they opted to legalize the drug. Many people support the move and are optimistic that the plan will strengthen the economy. However, there will be some disadvantages in the social sector since many people will be addicts to the drug which can lead to an increase in criminal activities. However, for now, all the eyes are on the said date with the weed-lovers waiting for their big day.

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CategoriesMarijuana Legalization by

Vaping and Edibles Still Illegal in Canada

In June, Canada’s Senate voted 52-29 to approve the Cannabis Act, making it the second country in the world to legalize recreational marijuana nationwide (Uruguay was the first, in 2014). Prime minister Justin Trudeau and his liberal party have been pushing for legalization since 2015. Their mission is to get pot off the black market, thereby reducing crime and the demands on law enforcement, while also increasing regulation, public health and safety.
 

The new law will make it legal for adults – age 18 or 19, depending on the province – to possess up to 30 grams of pot, and cultivate up to 4 plants. It also establishes a nationwide, legal marijuana marketplace, with each province deciding on it’s own rules and regulations. But don’t start celebrating just yet, because the bill won’t take effect until October 17th – and pot is still very much illegal until then.

Edibles Off-Limits

The new law also doesn’t legalize all kinds of cannabis products overnight. It doesn’t apply to cannabis-infused edibles or beverages, for instance. The government has said that these products pose special regulatory challenges – like dosage and portion sizing – and it needs more time to consider these factors before it opens up these markets. How long, exactly? Regulations should be in place sometime in 2019, according to a spokesman for Canada’s health minister.
Until then, keep this in mind: Canada has decided to delay the sale of marijuana edibles, not their possession or use. So if you prefer to ingest your pot, it’s perfectly legal for you to make your own at home. So by all means, dust off those cannabis cookbooks and whip up a batch of your favorite brownies. Or try out some of our recipes, like these Fudge-You-Up brownies,  or chewy pot cookies. We’ve also got recipes for cannabis tea and hot chocolate.
You’re welcome 🙂

No Vaping Either

Another product that won’t be available for purchase (legally) in October is marijuana oils and vape juices. Before these products hit the market, the government needs to figure out how to regulate their processing, quality, potency, etc. Again, the government plans to have these regulations in place sometime next year. Until then, you’ll just have to smoke your herb the old fashion way.
Or you could try out a CBD vape oil as alternative, to hold you over until other products hit the market. Non-psychoactive CBD e-juices have long been available through Canada’s medicinal marijuana market, and online retailers abound.
The Cannabis Act is a huge step forward for Canada, and a shining example to other countries around the world. One of the reasons for the delay in rolling out edibles and vaping products is the lack of precedent. Canada, along with some U.S. states, are essentially blazing a new trail here, and it takes time to figure out the best way forward. But with the cannabis industry projected to become a multi-billion dollar market, the trailblazers are in position to reap the greatest rewards.

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CategoriesApps, Marijuana Legalization by

Canada Still Hashing Out Cannabis Act Details

Canada Wants More Time To Review Cannabis Act

In an interview last Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that recreational cannabis is on track for summer. This promise comes despite significant push-back from Canadian senators for a delay in the implementation of the new law. Officials claim that they may need up to a year for consultations with indigenous communities before implementing the Cannabis Act.
The committee in charge of the talks say the government needs the extra time to ensure “culturally sensitive” materials are available to indigenous peoples to warn of the risks of consuming cannabis. Officials also want to finalize negotiations for revenue sharing with First Nations before the law goes into effect. First Nations government representatives want to make sure they get a fair share of the millions of dollars in taxes Canadians expect to come in.
Beginning in 2018, all cannabis providers in Canada must be authorized by Health Canada to provide dried marijuana, fresh flower, or cannabis oil to patients. The government has created a list of all authorized providers under the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations. The list is available to review and download on the Health Canada Website.

Some Providers Aren’t Fully On Board

Health Canada takes compliance seriously. They have a number of enforcement tools including suspending or revoking licenses. Non-compliance can also lead to prosecution so providers have a major incentive to conform to the regulations.
Despite the ramifications, there are approximately 300 medical marijuana providers across the territories operating illegally. Law enforcement is aware of them and taking action to shut them down. But until the Cannabis Act is passed and implemented, dispensaries don’t have to follow standards so shutting down bad actors is a challenge.
The lack of oversight means that many Canadian dispensaries obtain their product from the black market. Patients needing clean medicine put themselves at risk when purchasing from these providers. So many patients bypass the mess and grow their own. But there are still many rules and regulations Canadians need to learn and follow when growing their own medicine.

Patients Have Some Protection

Medical users aren’t allowed to let others smoke, import or export their cannabis, seeds, or derivatives. That includes things like hashish, concentrates and even resin. It doesn’t matter if they grew it themselves or if they purchased it from a licensed provider, sharing is strictly forbidden.
But if you so happen to have marijuana seeds on hand and a medical license, you are in luck. In 2016, a British Columbia judge ruled that medical cannabis users are allowed to grow at home. With the right documentation from the Government, some Canadians are allowed to grow marijuana seeds for medical use legally.
However, until the Cannabis Act is finalized, it is still illegal to produce and distribute marijuana for recreational purposes. This makes the delay a major concern to people trying to get ahead of the curve. Another year of debating can lead to millions of dollars in lost revenue and thousands of patients without access to safe products.

Do you think the delay in implementing the new Cannabis Act is justified? Is Health Canada doing the best thing for patients and the population at large? How do you think the government should handle the situation? Let us know in the comments section!

 

Introducing the ACMPR Canada New Cannabis Regulations
CategoriesMarijuana News, Medical by

Introducing the ACMPR – Canada's New Cannabis Regulations

The ACMPR officially goes into effect today in Canada which makes changes to the old MMPR. What does this mean for the citizens of Canada? Canadian citizens with a medical card now have access to growing their own cannabis. Per every gram prescribed to be used by a medical card holder each day, they are allowed to grow up to five indoor plants or two outdoor plants. This means if the doctor recommended the patient 3 grams per day, they could cultivate 15 plants indoors or 6 outdoors. Plants are not allowed to be grown near child care facilities, schools, playgrounds, or public areas that are frequented by children. It is recommended that all grows be locked and secured as well. Cannabis products that are being cured are to be locked in child-proof containers according to recommendations from Health Canada.

Patients are also able to take on another unique aspect and choose a designated cannabis grower to cultivate their medication. This law is making many people happy because on average, 5 indoor growing hydroponic plants can produce over 50 ounces of herb. This gives medical marijuana patients in Canada a new outlook on growing medicine. They’re also able to augment their supply of cannabis by supplementing orders from online dispensaries throughout Canada such as Weedism or Bud Xpress.

One of the conditions, in order to become a designated grower for someone, is to not have any felony drug convictions on your record in the past 10 years. The list of qualifying conditions to receive cannabis patient status in Canada ranges from PTSD and nausea to vomiting and cancer-related pain.

One of the major problems facing Canadians who are looking to utilize cannabis as an alternative treatment to dangerous and deadly pharmaceutical prescription drugs, is a shortage of medicinal supplies from state licensed vendors. There are said to be 34 licensed cannabis dispensaries across Canada. According to the ACMPR, all starting product must be purchased from one of these licensed facilities in the form of seeds or clones. The problem many patients face is simply running out of medicine which could be detrimental to their regimen.

Patients who suffer from cancer, leukemia, epilepsy, and other dangerous life-threatening illnesses cannot afford to go days or weeks without their medicine. Cannabis truly does work. It’s not like being without pharmaceuticals from the doctor for a week. Medical marijuana patients in Canada are having to turn to the dispensaries, which the government says are operating illegally, in order to receive the medications they so desperately need. The problem is Canada already has countless marijuana dispensaries that are set up and serving the people successfully.

The people have even spoken and it’s very clear that they want dispensaries. The Canadian government, however, has a different plan that includes strict regulations and iPad-like stores. This also brings up the issue of cost eEffectiveness. The low-income population of Canadians across the country falls short of being able to afford access to medical cannabis. This is a group that is making sure this problem gets the necessary attention that it needs to become solved.

Many patients that are working with licensed government facilities have run into the issue of them not having a consistent supply. This has not been an issue with dispensaries. In fact, many times if a patient cannot find their medicine through a licensed entity, they will find it at a dispensary. It is also not uncommon for dispensaries to provide free medical cannabis to patients who can not afford it. This cannot be said about governments anywhere. The new ACMPR is definitely an improvement and a step in the right direction but Canada still has a long ways to go before they truly implement a program that will work well for the people.