The Oppenheimer Report 10/22/18

Last week, weed was legalized across Canada, and for many Canadians this is a monumental change.  I've never lived any place before where it is legal to possess and smoke pot in a public place. According to the news, The Federal Government legalized pot in order to eliminate the black market and to make it harder for minors to procure. I’m not exactly sure how that will work, because it has never been particularly hard for minors to find weed. I very much doubt that the black market will disappear simply because the government has decided to tax and legally dispense marijuana. Minors will find ways to buy weed the same way I found a way to drink beer when I was under-aged. In Quebec, the newly elected, and some would argue “Rump-like” Premier, Francois Legault, is planning to make 21 the legal age for smoking pot and I think that will virtually ensure that younger pot smokers turn to the black market. As well, there seems to be a greater demand than the government anticipated. In Ontario, where there will be no actual pot stores for about six months, the only way to buy legal weed is online. With the looming postal strike, how do you think that is going to work?  On top of this, there are widespread reports that demand is far outweighing supply, with many legal sources out of stock for many items. 

Certainly, a major concern with the legalization of marijuana, and one of the things which is on the minds of many responsible citizens, is the issue of impaired driving. At present I don't think there is an enforcable test for whether a person is legally impaired by the effects of THC, but I’m sure that test will soon be available to police. There is growing concerned that more drivers will be driving stoned now that pot has been legalized. I think there were a lot of people driving stoned before it was legalized. Is this as big a concern as the issue of people driving under the influence of alcohol, I don’t know. There is evidence that driving stoned decreases reaction times. Impaired driving is impaired driving. Also of concern is the effect of smoking weed on the developing mind. No problem here, mine never did develop.

My main beef with the legalization of marijuana is that, at least in Ontario, I can't find any CBD products.  I'm particularly interested in the non-intoxicating CBD, because there is evidence it may be a healthier choice for pain relief. As well, CBD may also improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety, so it is particularly maddening that the most medicinal component to legal marijuana is still not legally available. What is up with that? I find it ironic that, in a country with socialized health care, there is currently no legal way to buy CBD or edible marijuana products. Let's sell the intoxicant but not the medicinal weed. And oh yes, if you use our product, you have to smoke it. 

Generally, I think it makes common sense to decriminalize pot. It would be wonderful if the government could somehow manage the proper and responsible use of this drug by legalizing it, but I don’t see this happening anytime soon. Regarding health concerns, the people who have always smoked weed will continue to do so, and they will likely find a way around the government rules if the government does not do a better job of offering it. In my opinion, they have not done so yet.

Written by Jamie Oppenheimer c 2018 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED