When Was Weed Legalized in Canada

From Scientific Programs
Jump to: navigation, search

Cannabis became legal in Canada on October 17, 2018. This has been a welcome change from the past, with a number of benefits. The law has increased charges of drug-impaired driving, shifted sales out of the black market, and reduced youth cannabis use. However, there are some issues that have been highlighted since the legalization.



Cannabis became legal in canada on Oct. 17, 2018



Almost two months after the legalization of cannabis, Canada has already seen an increase in registrations with federally licensed cannabis producers. The government expects this number to rise to around 257,000 by the end of 2021. Health Canada's licensing policy also aims to reduce the risk of organized crime infiltration, while simultaneously facilitating the transition of illicit producers into the legal market. While there are no legal limits to the number of cannabis licenses that can be issued, the government expects that market forces will determine the size of the industry.



As the legalization of cannabis is just beginning to take hold, many Canadians have already begun using the drug for medical reasons. According to the latest Canadian Alcohol and Drug Survey, 36% of respondents said that they used cannabis to treat or manage a medical condition without consulting a physician. The three most common reasons for using cannabis were anxiety, arthritis, and depression.



It has increased drug-impaired driving charges



The legalization of recreational marijuana has increased the number of drug-impaired driving cases in Canada. The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction estimates that this increase is costing the country $658 million annually. But the use of marijuana is not the sole cause of these high rates. The presence of marijuana in the blood does not necessarily indicate that a driver was impaired. Alcohol, on the other hand, is the main culprit in cases of dangerous driving. Still, driving while impaired by marijuana is not recommended.



The legalization of marijuana has strengthened Canada's criminal law regime on drug-impaired driving. The Criminal Code was amended to include provisions for enhanced detection and the creation of new offences. It also empowered the DRE to testify in court without expert status.



It has shifted sales out of the black market



Although legalizing recreational use of marijuana in Canada took effect in October, the black market remains a thriving industry. The black market accounted for 79% of all sales in the country's third and fourth quarters last year. As a result, legal weed still has a long way to go before it outsells the illicit version.



Before legalization, the black market provided the largest financial reward for organized crime groups. Statistics Canada estimated that sales of weed on the black market amounted to $3.8 billion annually.



It has reduced youth cannabis use



The first question is whether the legalization of cannabis in Canada has reduced the prevalence of youth use. There are conflicting results from different studies. Some have found no increase in usage, while others have found a small increase. One recent study shows a slight increase in daily use among 16-19 year olds in Canada, though the results are not statistically significant.



In 2015, 13.8% of Ontario youth reported using weed in the previous month. The highest daily use rate occurred among those in the 12th grade. As students move through high school, their frequency of use increases. Nonetheless, the overall rate of cannabis use among youth has decreased significantly.







Are you looking for mail order marijuana in Canada? If so, you might be interested in visiting Grow House for a few of the very best deals around.