My country (which is Canada) consists of 13 separate political regions. We have 10 Provinces and 3 Territories.
I live in the Province of Ontario. Today I learned about the new plan for the distribution of recreational cannabis in my Province, as it was just released.
So far, our Provincial Premiere (Kathleen Wynne) has announced that recreational cannabis will be distributed by the same controlled government monopoly that sells alcohol. This is recognized by the acronym known as the LCBO which stands for the Liquor Control Board of Ontario.
The government doesn't want to mix recreational cannabis with alcohol so they have announced that they have planned to build 80 new stand-alone stores to start. These will be constructing in neighbourhoods that already contain dispensaries run by independent "mom and pop-style" owners.
By 2020, the government is projecting that there will be up to 150 cannabis stores in full operation.
All other cannabis businesses who are currently selling the herb through a "bricks and mortar" store will continue to be considered illegal, as the government moves in to secure full control and protect their expected tax revenue. This tax revenue is expected to pay for the build-out of all the new retail stores.
Here are the full rules, so far:
- You must be 19 years or older. You will not be able to legally possess cannabis if you are younger than 19.
(This is the same as alcohol possession in my province. You must be of age or you are charged with underage possession.)
- You must buy from an LCBO controlled store. Or, alternatively, through a "recreational LCBO cannabis website". This website and all the stores will be supplied with cannabis by the same 38 government sanctioned Licensed Producers who are currently running and supplying the existing medical cannabis market.
- No commercially prepared edibles will be allowed to be sold, but you can still make your own.
- Cannabis can only be consumed in your private residence, not in any public space or motorized vehicle.
- The Provincial government has agreed with the Federal government in that the legal amount of cannabis that you can possess at anyone time, on your person is 30 grams. This drops to 5 grams being tolerated for any youth caught with cannabis on them.
I sourced this information from the following news sources:
http://www.torontosun.com/2017/09/08/ontario-to-open-marijuana-in-stores-not-lcbo-reports
To date, none of the municipalities or cities are disputing this ruling in the Province of Ontario. It will be up to each Province and Territory within the country to decide how they are going to regulate the recreational cannabis market when the entire country legalizes on July 1st, 2018.
I have very mixed emotions about these new regulations. I can tell you that I am relieved that I have taken the steps to secure my personal cannabis growing license and that I am skilled in cooking with cannabis. Edibles are my forte.
~ Rebecca Ryan
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Wow, I'm like you and have mixed emotions as well. I'm surprised that the U.S. hasn't already done this, I mean why not? It's on it's way to being legal everywhere in some form or fashion so the government may as well start collecting monies left and right from it. Like I've said before, I'm all for it being legal and regulated to a certain degree but I don't agree with how government wants to control every damn thing! I'm glad you're ahead of the game, Becca!
I WAS THE 69TH VOTE!!!!
#WINNING
Hahaha! You're the winner all right! Right to the top of the comments with your 69th vote!
Yeah, because that's how I roll...
@rebeccaryan
I know the answer. We will all move across the street from you. And you can sell to us all the cooking and preparing that you are skilled in now. All because you took the time and made the effort to learn.
That is always the division between those that know and those, such as myself, that doesn't. Ha
I am glad that cannabis is finally going to be legal.
All the years of restrictions has been possible because of the money.
It looks as though the government has decided to cash in on the market.
Normally, government run projects doesn't do so well.
But, let's give them a chance.
Thank you for alerting us of what will be in Ontario, Canada.
Can the states be far behind?
We wait.
Francis
Hmmph....if they insist on regulating it into oblivion, the underground market will be stronger than ever. Their greed and overreach unmatched. Good job, Rebecca, what time is dinner?? ;)
Anytime @tamaralovelace, anytime!
You are right @rebeccaryan, how they will decide to regulate the market, it's not clear :)
More will be coming. I expect there to be backlash.
great news :D i will continue selling the old way !
Yeah, completely understand. I am happy to be growing and not having to rely on anyone. It's going to be mayhem.
Well, kind of logical that government decided to take control over canabis, instead of fighting it. I think with a time you will see more clear rules about it )
Time will tell...I just want to see this plant become accessible to ANY person who wants or needs it.
Pot being regulated by the government might actually be a good thing, it will guarantee for quality stuff and different brands. I'v been looking for some high CBD low THC weed for a while, but it's almost imposible to get my hands on. All the weed here is poisonous as hell ^^
This is true. We've had difficulty getting high CBD low THC too. Canada's LPs have recalls due to being caught using banned pesticides and these are the government sanctioned growers. Time will tell.
Great informations sis @rebeccaryan.
Thank you
a friend of mine is taking marijuana pills the doctor prescribed them to him.he has cancer. lives in Ohio
If the right strains in the right dosages are use, cannabis kills cancer @cowboyk. The pharmaceutical versions of cannabis don't contain the whole plant profile and the whole plant is what kills cancer.
Thanks for the information !!!
Good post on cannabis. Resteemed.
Interesting
That's not what I expected, but I'm not at all surprised either. If they just leave it wide open like growing any other herb or plant it would negate the need for all controls and since anyone can grow it, it would subdue the illegal market that exists today. Why not just let people grow it and use it responsibly?
Interesting that the government is taking that big of a step in the sale of cannabis, while the US still classifies it as a horrible addictive substance. My state recently passed medical cannabis. My most recent article talks about the licensing process going on right now. If you get a chance take a look.
https://steemit.com/health/@eurekaj/the-natural-state-of-marijuana-policy-in-the-south
Following. I need to learn more about making edibles.
wow 5 grams for the youth, so no crime below a nickle for kids, didn't see that coming
It's such a long, slow process. All on a plant that grows like a weed. I'm glad you will be able to grow. What are the restrictions on giving it away? Here in Oregon, in the first few months when recreational marijuana became legal, there weren't any rules set yet for selling. So getting a gift was the only legal way for people to get anything. I thought that was a nice approach!
The government shall have a tough time maintaining it .
However ,Best of luck .
i hope this is fine for all the people and benefit everyone :)
What an awesome thing to find a cannabis coach lol, Im a cannabis grower too, Im from Uruguay where is legal since 2014, you can check my post about my last big harvest, it already expired so you don't have to upvote it, just in case you wanna read it.