MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION IN CANADA AND THE US
Cannabis is fully legal in Canada and some states in the US. This article will focus on when this happened, implications since then, and what next for the states.
Marijuana in Canada
Marijuana is legal in Canada for all individuals above 18 years of age. The cannabis act of October 2018 controls cultivation, possession, sale, and distribution of Marijuana across Canada.
The three main objectives of the act are;
- To ensure no middlemen are involved in the Marijuana business. It helps the cannabis producers reap maximum profits.
- To ensure only youth of the right age access cannabis.
- To enable adults to access cannabis for medical purposes
The act highlights the quantities of dried cannabis and it’s equivalent products each eligible individual should possess. An individual can;
- Cultivate 4 cannabis plants from certified seedlings or seeds in his premises for specifically personal use.
- Convert these 4 cannabis plants into different forms without using any organic solvent.
- Possess only less than 30 grams of dried cannabis or its equivalent in public places.
- Only share less than 30 grams with eligible counterparts.
- Only purchase fresh or dried marijuana from licensed retailers.
When cultivating marijuana, good care of the plants is important. Cannabis trimming is one way of taking good care of you hemp plants for higher yields. This is possible only if it is done by best cannabis trimmers and efficient trimming machines.
Importance of Marijuana trimming
Cannabis trimming can be done by use of machines or hands. For best and quick hemp trimming, machines and experienced cannabis trimmers are required. Cannabis trimming ensures;
- Increase in potency of the hemp plant.
- Increased potency gives a good smoking experience.
- Faster drying (curing) of the buds. This also increases the potency
With the cannabis act in place, many Canadians are focusing on growing cannabis for commercial purposes rather than personal use.
The Future Of Cannabis in Canada
Cannabis legalization has improved tourism indirectly. Tourists are now visiting restaurants that serve foods infused with cannabis. Canadians have not been left behind; since legalization, over 84% have tasted cannabis or related products.
As the first G7 country to legalize cannabis, other countries have been left to watch how events will unfold as years move. This will determine the future of cannabis in these countries.
It is anticipated that, growing of cannabis for personal use will increase. This will however only happen when individuals learn to cultivate and harvest cannabis for themselves. Cannabis manufacturing industries have recorded high numbers of visitors willing to learn on how manufacturing takes place.
A recent research indicated how most individuals buy cannabis directly from friends, and dealers rather than licensed dealers and this is likely to take place in many years to come.
Marijuana in the US
So far only 33 states have legalized medical use of cannabis in the US. 11 of these states have legalized recreational use. Illinois was the first state to legalize recreational use whereas California was the first to legalize cannabis medical use in 1996.
Over the years, research has been carried out to back up the quest of fully legalizing cannabis. This has however got a lot of resistance from other researches showing marijuana associated problems.
A research conducted in the first four states to legalize cannabis and concluded how individuals above the age of 26 became easily addicted. The addiction led to more cannabis use related disorders.
US residents have given their reasons, both law enforcement and social, as to why cannabis should be legalized. Here are some;
- Continued violence and crime in the Mexico- US border is mainly because of illegal marijuana business. Cannabis legalization will end this.
- Tobacco and alcohol cause more danger on human health than marijuana does. Yet they are legal.
- Research has clearly indicated the medical benefits associated with cannabis. Continued use of the drug will prevent further ailments.
- Since some states legalized marijuana in 2014, the revenue has hit over $7.6 billion. This has made it the best selling agricultural product during this period.