Canada is in the process of introducing legislation that will make the recreational use of marijuana legal. News on the pot legalization legislation was announced on ‘420’ (this past week) by Health Minister Jane Philpott as she was speaking to the United Nations General Assembly. The legislation, which would make pot legal in 2017, is being introduced by The Liberal government (the oldest federal political party in Canada). TheStar.com has all of the details.
Buffalo has always had an interesting relationship when it comes to alcohol drinking age limits. In a land where the drinking age fluctuates between 18 and 19 years old, the age difference has prompted many a Buffalo youth to cross the border in search of neighborly drinking establishments. A visit to a Canadian bar or brewery has long been considered a rite of passage for Buffalo teenagers.
Now the floodgates are about to be opened wide for everyone in the pot department. The legalization of weed, in a country that borders NYS, is going to be a game changer in the WNY region when it comes to readily accessing cafés and dispensaries where recreational pot use is permitted.
Just think of the hype in Colorado, and what that has done for that state (financially and reputation-wise).
Unfortunately, Buffalo/NYS will not be reaping the financial reward from any of this. Only the legal age pot smoking public will be the beneficiaries of the new Canadian legislation. Maybe that will help to loosen up cannabis laws in more US states. When 2017 rolls around NYS, residents will have easy (and legal) access to pot, as long as they don’t bring it home with them. That should send a wake up call to state lawmakers that the times they are a changin’… and pretty darn quick.
With the recent advancements in the medical marijuana front, and legalization being pushed by Buffalo Cannabis Movement, state petitions, and an annual 420 festival (see below), there is certainly a growing demand for the relaxation of weed laws by activists and supporters. The fact is, that if someone wants pot, he or she is going to get it albeit illegally. Soon, they will be able to get it legally in Canada, right on our doorstep. It’s a big win for local pot smokers. Hopefully someday it will also be a win for NYS, if and when politicians and law makers realize that they are missing a golden opportunity.