A lot of people are celebrating. But I’ve come to see it as just another chemical people use to hide from each other, to lubricate their personalities instead of being themselves, and another way to numb problems instead of deal head on. I don’t know if celebration is in order. I used to be addicted to weed, until it started making me anxious. My husband smokes it. It has a place medicinally. It can be fun for a while, until it’s not the answer anymore. I just feel very ambiguous. I joined this forum for wine addiction, but sobriety has me seeing any mind-altering substances much the same way.
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Yeah, legalized in California recently, too, and feel kind of the same.
I know others can enjoy responsibly, no matter how much I can’t (though alcohol was my DOC). Doesn’t help shake the feeling it’s inviting the vampire in the house.
Ah well. Not for me, at least.
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That’s a great way to put it, inviting the vampire in the house. People likely to abuse mind altering substances of choice will find a way to abuse weed, often. I know other people claim they use it to stay sober from alcohol. I tried that at first. Didn’t work.
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Not sure what Canada was thinking on this one (I am Canadian) but I do agree it has a place medically.
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They were thinking why let the black market take in all the profit when we can tax the fuck out of it? People are gonna smoke whether it’s legal or not. That’s why I find it so funny that they want to start testing people for driving while stoned. As if it’s not currently happening…
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I agree, it was definitely a tax move.
Was that a Buffy reference?? Nerd!! Lol
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I agree with your sentiments regarding sobriety. I smoked a bunch of weed in Jr. High and High School. Quit when I decided to join the Marines. Of course, Ronald Reagan was still in his first term, when I quit, and I’ve never had so much as a hit, since that time. If they made it legal in my state tomorrow, I still wouldn’t use it.
I like who I am, sober. I like my mind sharp, unadulterated by recreational chemicals. A bit of caffeine is all I take.
As far as everyone else goes, if it’s legal, and you want to play with potential fire, your choice.
I am on the path.
I know the way.
The way is self-discipline.
The path is paved with sobriety.
I will walk on the path.
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That is classic vampire mythology! 
I’m not helping my case, am I…?
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We’ll have to agree to disagree. I seriously don’t think this law will change anything. It’s a lot of hype for nothing. People who don’t smoke will go on not smoking and people that do will continue. This isn’t the end all be all that some want us to think it is.
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This has been stressing me out a lot lately. Now that it’s here I feel the pull to “just give it a try” which is exactly what I don’t need!!
I do think there is some value in regulating and taxing it though. Especially the regulating. There is more control over the strength and quality of the product. I have hear stories of black market pot being laced with fentanyl to give a better high and therefore keep customers coming back for more. And well, for taxing…if it helps pay for other programs then I’m happy for the taxes coming from the people who buy. Maybe they can use that money to help fund treatments and safe injections sites etc etc.
But for my own personal life…the ONLY thing I am happy for is being able to buy and try CBD products without a prescription. Not that my doctor was opposed to prescribing…he just said “wait until it’s legal and you’re good to go” (of course that was back when it was supposed to be Canada Day that it became legal…waiting these extra 4 months was not in the plan)
Still, I’m NOT liking how easy it will be to get it. That is not good for my addictive personality. Even if I can’t go into a shop and buy it, it is just a click of the mouse away!! I’m even afraid to go look at the CBD products for fear I might also click on some joints just to try. 
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I agree…but regulations can help control the safety of the product…plus taxes to pay for other things is always good in my mind. But yes, smokers are gonna smoke, non smokers are not. I don’t think there will be any NEW customers other than the initially curious.
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Best not to speculate on the positive and negative effects that legalization will bring. Look at those US States that have legalized it. Hasn’t lived up to the positive hype. Black Market (tax free) weed is BOOMING in CO and MA, cutting into the big tax windfall, and actually increasing law enforcement costs as the government demands the police stop this drain on “revenues”. Use increased, along with all of the negatives that come with it. Employers complain of lost productivity. etc. Driving under the influence of THC has increased.
But I agree that folks are gonna use it anyways. Not me.
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I agree: don’t take things at face value.
My opinion? Black market pot is taking a hit to profitability to stay competitive. Capitalism at its finest. But I’m hopeful that legal weed will tax the coffers of the drug lords and sap the walls around illegal unregulated pot. And especially keep fent weed off the street. Real issue in Canada. Regular weed users get fent weed, bam they’re done. Instead of getting regular weed and indirectly paying for the social costs it will have, through taxes.
It’s important to look at what has and has not worked elsewhere. But CO and MA are not Canada. Vancouver is not Castlegar. Location is very important in the approach
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Not likely, but you can hope.
In related news there is a Doritos shortage in Canada and Taco Bell has announced they will be open 24/7. Mountain dew executives were unavailable for comment as they are currently facing an influx of orders.
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I do hope. I think usage will certainly unfortunately increase. But I also think the overall situation will improve.
I also think safety and education around it will increase as well, and destigmatize those exploring help: instead of “dude just chill it’s no big, take a puff” the vulnerable can know the realities straight from Health Canada and know what they’re getting into, and they can walk into a health centre to seek information without fear of legal follow up. And those who choose to use can walk into a dispensary and get pot that won’t kill them.
And all the studies here wanting to explore the ins and outs and pros and cons of cannabis will give the world further information and hard evidence.
I wish no one would use cannabis, ever, personally. If people do use, well, it’s pretty obvious smoking anything wrecks your lungs. But if only oral use was legalized, you may as well tap dance instead because it’ll have exactly that much effect on the nation.
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Another issue at play is that Canada has its own borders with customs etc. CO and MA have every reason to keep taking increased shipments from other states. Canada will certainly get an increased influx of supply interest, but when people can grow their own, or buy legal (safe) weed, it makes it harder for the traffickers. Remember that trafficking will still be illegal and that’s definitely checked at the border.
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As a man on the streets here, it has been de facto legal in all the manners that would be impacted by legalization. You can buy and smoke 10 feet in front of a cop, pretty much. But pot smokers are exposed to the freaking fentanyl epidemic that’s spread even into cannabis now, if not carfentanil. Just … I hate hate hate people smoking pot for recreational reasons, there’s a number of reasons it’s a bad idea. But this is damage control. I did not support cannabis legalization at the time but I sure as hell see the need for it now.