Canada's New Prime Minister Promises To Legalize Marijuana

[Jacob Redmond]

Justin Trudeau's Liberal party clinched a decisive victory in the country's election Monday, with a pledge to legalize the substance among his policy promises.

Legalization and regulation of marijuana would significantly increase the markets available to licensed marijuana growers.

There are approximately 35,000 to 40,000 patients enrolled in Canada's medical marijuana program and the current market size is estimated at $80 million to $100 million, as reported by the Financial Post.

"We will legalize, regulate, and restrict access to marijuana", reads the Liberals' website. It does not prevent young people from using marijuana and too many Canadians end up with criminal records for possessing small amounts of the drug. Canopy Growth's CEO, Bruce Linton stated that the government has most likely identified that it can shape the marijuana industry into a legal business that can provide taxes.

Now that the country has joined the list of nations that are open-minded about marijuana legalization, more questions are rising about the structure of the Canadian marijuana reforms.

The changing of the guard in Ottawa could result in recreational access to the drug - a move that would fuel rapid growth in Canada's burgeoning cannabis industry.

One estimate from ArcView Group previous year said the U.S.'s legal marijuana industry is set to skyrocket, from $1.8 billion in wholesale and retail trade in 2013 to $10.2 billion by 2018.

The professor added that, "Marijuana is a very well tolerated drug without the side effects that we see in other drugs like opioids", which has been used more and more over the years by Canadians, causing a rise in related deaths.

The Guardian noted that legalizing marijuana had been a key issue of Trudeau's electoral campaign, as he promised to legalize cannabis "right away".

Medical marijuana stocks soared Tuesday as Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party swept to power in Canada's federal election, according to the Toronto Star.

"To ensure that we keep marijuana out of the hands of children, and the profits out of the hands of criminals, we will legalise, regulate, and restrict access to marijuana".

News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Canada's New Prime Minister Promises To Legalize Marijuana
Author: Ross Houston
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: The Fleming Gazette

 

[LEDBud]

I literally danced when Trudeau won the elections and with a majority
government , meaning they win all arguments in Ottawa

 

[Jacob Redmond]

This will force the U.S. and Mexico into faster progress as well. Such good news!

 

[OldMedUser]

As a Canadian I'm not holding my breath but I am glad he won. I liked his old man when he had the job.

At least Herr Harper is gone and with that we a truly blessed.

L8r

 

[LEDBud]

It begins


Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has given his first official order starting the process towards legalizing weed.

In a public mandate letter issued to Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould Friday, Trudeau listed the government's top priorities, including working with the Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Health ministers to "create a federal-provincial-territorial process that will lead to the legalization and regulation of marijuana."

The letter also calls for a review of sentencing reforms with the goal of reducing incarceration rates amongst Indigenous Canadians. Under Stephen Harper, the Conservatives imposed mandatory minimum sentences for drug crimes, including growing marijuana—a policy that has been widely criticized as "cruel and unusual."

In the absence of an official cannabis policy change, police forces across the country are using their discretion when deciding whether or not to enforce current drug laws.