6 Things You Must Know About Legalization of Cannabis in Canada

Posted by Joseph Franks on September 30th, 2019

After Uruguay, in 2018, Canada became the second country in the world that has legalized the recreational use of cannabis, also known as marijuana. Although, the drug is now available for adult-use, however, the form in which it is used has made limited to dried flower and cannabis oil. Vaporized cartridges, edibles, infused beverages, and concentrates are not allowed.

What else you need to know about cannabis being legalized in Canada, let’s read on to find out:

1. Few Regulations on the Part of the Government:

The government, while legalizing the marijuana, left a few gaps in its decision about how cannabis will be sold, what Canadian provinces people can smoke it up. Few laws are quite basic and standard such as:

•          People under 18 cannot buy marijuana
•          The public is allowed to grow up four plans at home
•          People are allowed to carry up to 30 grams outside the home.

2. You Cannot Bring Cannabis from Canada:

Although cannabis is made legal for adult usage in Canada, you have to consider what federal law of US says about the weed. State law may be different, but the federal law supersedes to protect the borders. The fact still remains that the US laws remained firm in keeping the drug illegal and even not recognized the medical usage of cannabis. If you are thinking to bring back cannabis from Canada to the US, you may be charged fines and the drugs confiscated at the border, leaving you facing charges of a drug crime.

3. Each Province Execute Cannabis Act Differently: 

No doubt, the Cannabis Act in Canada is nation-wide law, allowing adults above 18 years of age to consume this pot and keep 30 grams, the act is executed differently according to the province.

For instance, Quebec and Alberta, allow 18 and above 18 adults to buy the weed, other provinces need 19 years and above adults to buy cannabis. Apart from it, the way this weed is grown and sold also differs. Quebec and Manitoba don’t allow home-grown cannabis, but other provinces allow people to grow at home.

Also, the government-run stores in Ontario and New Brunswick will sell cannabis on licensed dispensaries, however, in other provinces, private business will operate on retail location.

4. Cannabis is Taxable Drug:

Recreational marijuana is subject to 10% of excise tax. The black market does not pay excise tax nor store rent, it should undercut the legal market on price. However, the black market has a larger percentage of current sales. The encouraging thing is that the public will pay 10% of tax on recreational weed, lower than a tax on beer, wine, and spirit which is between 50% and 80%.

5. International Market will be Widely Interested in Canada’s Weed Market:

Legalization of weed in Canada is more beneficial for the global market as compared to the local one. There are nearly 30 countries in the world that have allowed medical usage of cannabis. These countries may be counting on the import of cannabis from other countries such as Canada for their patients.

6. There is Good Money in this Business:

Marijuana is a highly profitable business and can bring a huge sum of money. For instance, recreational marijuana could bring billion annually in revenue.

We still have to see where the future of cannabis lies, but it is going to bring huge revenue to Canada.