Canada’s yes to cannabis

Canada yesterday became the first industrialised country and the second in the world, after Uruguay, to legalise the recreational consumption of cannabis, one of the promises of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Canadians will be able to consume marijuana, grow up to a maximum of 4 plants in their homes or buy it in the dozens of stores regulated by the health authorities that opened their doors to the public yesterday. In some provinces, such as Ontario, it may only be purchased online, and in other territories, the administration will be responsible for sales.

The minimum age for buying and consuming cannabis is 19, although in Quebec and Alberta, it is permitted at 18. Some provinces only permit consumption in private spaces and others everywhere where tobacco smoking or alcohol consumption are permitted. Although licensed producers have been working hard to produce as much as possible, it is feared that initially demand will outstrip supply.

The main objective of the measure is to fight against the illegal drug trafficking of marijuana and also to obtain new public revenues thanks to taxation. The government has suggested a sale price of about €6.70 per gram of marijuana to make the cost of legal cannabis competitive with that of the black market. That price includes two taxes; one which goes directly to the coffers of the Canadian government and another which is the standard sales tax applicable in the region where it is sold. Despite the fact that the sale price will be higher, it is expected that most consumers will choose the legal product due to the strict quality control of the THC content.