Marijuana in Canada

By Andrew Vargas

To most people Canada is a country known for its tolerance and pleasant citizens, its logging industry, ice hockey, and in recent years Canada is known for marijuana. More specifically marijuana that comes from British Columbia. Canada's economy is helped by the cultivation and distribution of marijuana, and in British Columbia alone, marijuana has become a $10 billion per year industry.

Unlike the United States, Canada has become very tolerant of private consumption of marijuana, and the laws in Canada have allowed the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Canada has become a safe haven and a popular tourist destination for those that smoke marijuana. Many have claimed refugee status because Canada has become a much more open and tolerant country towards the use of marijuana.

Within the past 10 years the marijuana industry has been booming, not only including the Marijuana Party of Canada, but there are numerous stores that cater to those who use marijuana including seed stores, and head shops. How marijuana was perceived in Canada 80 years ago is the same as how marijuana was perceived in the United States during the same time.

Canada's recent policies towards the consumption of marijuana is a much welcome change from how it all began during the'30s. Not only is marijuana in Canada tolerated to a certain degree, but many of Canada's citizens now understand through proper education that marijuana is much more beneficial than it is harmful.

Canada's marijuana policies have allowed many of its citizens to earn a living growing marijuana with light penalties. British Columbia is seen as the Shangri-La of the Canadian marijuana industry because of the amount of grow houses that have sprung up within the past 10 years. British Columbia also has its own brand of marijuana called "BC bud," marijuana has benefited Canada's economy through other means as well. Including retail stores that sell supplies to the growers, and the growers themselves using their hard-earned money to purchase luxury items.

What makes the marijuana industry in Canada different from other countries is the fact that it is not directly tied to organized crime, a small percentage of it is, but the majority of the marijuana trade is run by small grow houses that can bring in around $2200 a pound. In countries such as Mexico their drug trade is synonymous with organized crime, and it is seen as a dangerous place to do business with. Most of the marijuana that comes out of Canada can find its way around various parts of the United States bringing in close to $6000 a pound the farther it gets from the Canadian border.

Canada's laws, and general understanding of the medicinal purposes and economic benefits of marijuana have made Canada the world leader in marijuana use when compared to other industrialized nations. That may not be a proud thing for most Canadians, but considering the fact that the benefits of marijuana reach far beyond medicinal purposes, marijuana can be a good thing for Canada; as a commodity and for Canada setting an example for other countries to follow in the future. Once lawmakers in Canada realize the good that can come from marijuana it is only a matter of time for the world as a whole to view marijuana the same way that Canada does. - 30328

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