Occasionally a plaintive cry comes across the desk that demands our help:
What is up with your government? As soon as I decide not to visit Toronto any time soon because of SARS, they come out with this article. Now I do not know. Help me my friend.
Stephen
The article was a Washington Post story about the most important tourism initiative in Canada in the past fifty years. Canada is in the process of decriminalizing marijuana possession for small amounts. Get caught with less than half an ounce (15 grams) of ganja and the police will give you a ticket and a fine. Just like double parking, or running a red light, you get a fine.
The object of the change is to keep those who are stupid enough to get caught with some herb from getting a felony criminal record. The other side is those who wholesale, grow or distribute, will get whacked with bigger sentences and more mandatory prison time.
Toronto is a nice city, despite the SARS thing, which is truly overblown. The Dope Tour industry is another issue. The law hasn’t passed yet, so getting caught with fixin’s is still a criminal charge and generally a bad thing.
When the law does pass, expect to see bus loads of Americans come up to Canada, buying up 14 grams of spliffage at a time. Sit down at a nice park bench, spark up and not worry about it. You’re more likely to get your ass kicked for having a cigarette in a restaurant than getting in trouble for smoke.
I can see nothing wrong with the change. I’ve been in bars where people are drinking beer and shots. You know that someone is going to get a pool cue across the head during the upcoming fight. Drinkers have the potential to be mean and aggressive.
I’ve also been in bars with marijuana smokers. The worst to expect in those situations is someone saying “I love you, maaaan…” or getting dinged by an errant Hacky Sack.
So, Stephen, come on up!
RoadDave 