How high?

By Fabricio Rivera

Millions of joints are being rolled in Canada now that cannabis has been legalized recreationally.

On Oct. 17. the use of recreational cannabis became legal in Canada, with the legal age to purchase and consume in Ontario is 19.

However, there will still be heavy restrictions on cannabis. Although the drug will be legal there will be no storefront locations selling marijuana until 2019.

People will have to order their product online from a government regulated store called the Ontario Cannabis Store. Even when storefronts are legal, the Ontario Cannabis Store is going to be the only marijuana provider considered legal.

New legislation means new laws and regulations and there seems to be mixed feelings about the new legalization.

Douglas Durham is a 37 year-old medical marijuana patient who is not very excited about this legalization.

“Its not going to be good,” said Durham, laughing hysterically. Durham has been dependent on medical marijuana since 2010 and has his medical license to use it. “I think it’s horrible, I don’t think it’s fair. I should be able to walk into a store and buy my marijuana. I don’t its fair I should wait three days in the mail to get it. What’s going to stop me from buying from the guy on the corner.”

Other smokers say they are also upset with how legalization is happening. They worry the government keeping records of marijuana users and there is anger over the long wait for storefront sales.

Christian Newton is a cannabis enthusiast and recreational user who enjoys an occasional puff.

“I’m not going to stop buying my weed from the black market. It doesn’t make sense to stop, if I could just walk into a store and buy my weed that’d be different, but I don’t want to order it online, especially from a government site.” said Newton.

Newton does not want his name on any kind of list

“I don’t want my name ending up on some list somewhere, I don’t know if the government will make it illegal again or something,” said Newton. “I’m happy its legal, finally, but I don’t think the government will execute legalization properly, especially since the government has kind of been anti-weed.”

Amidst all the consumer retail process controversy, users can now medicate or just enjoy toking without looking over their shoulder in public.

Christine Stroud, a passionate recreational user who orders online, does not so stressed now that the laws recreationally changed.

“I order weed online and it gets delivered to my door. I love it,” said Stroud. “Yeah of course there is pros and cons, but if you’re carrying more than 30 grams out in public what really is the need to be carrying more…clearly to sell it. Sure some things are unfair but I’m still happy regardless. Now, I don’t have to worry.

For information on laws and regulations you can visit www.ontario.ca/page/cannabis-legalization.