Canadian marijuana industry contributed NINE billion dollars to Gross Domestic Product

J

jimintoronto

Well-known Member
Canada made the production, possession, harvesting, and retail sales of all THB products legal in 2018. It's taxed and controlled at all points through the production system. And, despite the doomsayers, we haven't "gone to hell in a baby carriage". People over the age of consent which is 19, can buy the product freely. It's very much personal choice, just like the choice to drink alcohol, or not. link.

https://www.reddit.com/r/canada/comments/1l45m4s
 

I watched a documentary about UK night life the other day. It concentrated on 25 Yrs. and younger folk. Essentially, they no longer drank alcohol, so pubs and nightclubs were closing. Instead, they took Ketamine for recreation. Why? Because it's cheaper than alcohol.

Which tells the tale on trying to use taxation to stop people taking mind-altering substances. Alcohol was readily available, and people abused it, for sure. That said, you can take the alcohol away or tax it highly, and all you'll do is make people seek out cheaper alternatives. There's something inherent in us that makes us enjoy these substances, I think.
 

Nathan said:
It's smarter to collect tax revenue rather than spending billions in law enforcement efforts and prison costs.
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One part of the Canadian legislation about making this product "legal to have, use, and consume" was to automatically REVOKE all of the previous convictions in Canada, for simple possession of marijuana in the past. That meant that thousands of Canadians no longer had a "Criminal Conviction " on their record.

I will point out that "driving while high" is very much a criminal code offense, everywhere in Canada, just like "drunk driving " is. The actual wording in the criminal charge is "driving while impaired by EITHER alcohol, or drugs ". Police in Canada have a number of scientific ways to test drivers at the roadside, for drug use. JIM>
 
I remember when we ran several stings on I-95 and stopped several vehicles loaded with MJ headed for Canada. We also ran stings on I-81 snagging mucho MJ. Even though I am against the use of any mind altering drug, I think PA needs to legalize the damn stuff and collect the taxes.

Our medical MJ sites are always busy, but we only collect 5% from the growers and nothing from the retailers. Pennsylvania needs to get with the times. Being an original state of the 13 colonies, we have a lot of old laws and blue laws still on the books and they are tough to get our congress to delete them from the books.

Here’s a page from Google: Question: Is there any detriment to smoking Marijuana? It says it better than I could produce.

Yes, there are several detriments to smoking marijuana, including respiratory issues, increased risk of certain cancers, and potential negative impacts on mental health and cognitive function. Smoking also carries risks related to cardiovascular health, even for those without pre-existing conditions.

Respiratory System:
  • Lung damage:
    Smoking marijuana, like tobacco, can damage the lungs, including the small blood vessels and potentially leading to bronchitis.

  • Increased risk of lung infections:
    Smoking can weaken the immune system, making it more difficult to fight off lung infections.

  • Chronic bronchitis:
    Regular cannabis smoking can increase the risk of developing chronic bronchitis, a long-term condition with symptoms like coughing, mucus production, and difficulty breathing.

  • Lung cancer:
    While more research is needed, smoking marijuana could potentially raise the risk of lung cancer, as it contains many of the same harmful substances as tobacco smoke.
Mental Health:
  • Anxiety and depression:
    Frequent cannabis use, especially daily or near-daily, can increase the risk of developing or worsening anxiety and depression.

  • Psychosis:
    Daily or frequent use, especially in young people, can increase the risk of psychosis and even schizophrenia.

  • Cognitive impairments:
    Cannabis can impair thinking, decision-making, and memory, even after the immediate effects of the high have subsided.
Cardiovascular System:
  • Increased risk of heart attack and stroke:
    Studies have shown a link between marijuana use and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, even in individuals without pre-existing heart conditions.
  • Cardiovascular damage:
    Some research suggests that long-term cannabis use can damage the cardiovascular system.
Other Potential Detriments:
  • Impaired coordination and driving:
    Cannabis is known to impair coordination and can make driving dangerous.

  • Addiction:
    Like other drugs, marijuana can be addictive, and frequent use can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

  • Gastrointestinal problems:
    Long-term, heavy cannabis use can cause cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), characterized by nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

  • Impact on pregnancy and development:
    Marijuana use during pregnancy can have negative effects on fetal growth, development, and potentially lead to premature birth or other complications.

  • Allergic reactions:
    Some individuals may experience allergic reactions to marijuana, with symptoms ranging from skin irritation to respiratory and gastrointestinal problems.
 
jimintoronto said:
One part of the Canadian legislation about making this product "legal to have, use, and consume" was to automatically REVOKE all of the previous convictions in Canada, for simple possession of marijuana in the past. That meant that thousands of Canadians no longer had a "Criminal Conviction " on their record.

I will point out that "driving while high" is very much a criminal code offense, everywhere in Canada, just like "drunk driving " is. The actual wording in the criminal charge is "driving while impaired by EITHER alcohol, or drugs ". Police in Canada have a number of scientific ways to test drivers at the roadside, for drug use. JIM>
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Looking at stats, Canada does have a fairly high rate of fatalities caused by drivers under the influence of MJ.

Key points:
  • Collision Risk: Driving after cannabis use increases the risk of collisions.
  • Fatal Crashes: Cannabis is involved in an estimated 20% of fatal DUI crashes.
  • Emergency Department Visits: In Ontario, from 2010 to 2021, cannabis-involved traffic injuries leading to emergency department visits increased by 475%.
  • 2012 Estimates: Cannabis-related traffic collisions caused an estimated 75 deaths, 4407 injuries, and property damage in 7794 collisions.
  • THC Positive Tests: In 2014, 18.9% of fatally injured drivers tested positive for THC. Recent data from Ontario shows that positive cannabis cases exceeded alcohol cases.
 
I don't care if it's legal or not, since I don't partake. I will say that if scientific long-term studies are ever done people will be surprised at the results.
 
I'm tired of the rank smell of skunk weed in stores from stoners & from their cars that permeates the air. The odor has incredible hang time way after the leave the area.

I feel sorry for the kids that have parents that smoke & have no choice but to live with the smoke. It can't be healthy for them to grow up in it.
 

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