It’s here, cannabis is legal as of Oct. 17.
Although you won’t be able to walk in to a store and buy your favourite Panama Red in Okotoks quite yet, it’s legal to roll another number at your home.
There are a few kinks to iron out, but the time has come to legalize marijuana.
Hey, Mick Jagger is now a great-grandfather. The majority of Okotokians have grown up with marijuana as part of their society, from businesspersons, teachers to newspaper editors you can be guaranteed some have tried marijuana in the past.
And let’s face it, marijuana prohibition wasn’t working.
At least now, there is quality control for the product and the money going to illegal activity will be reduced.
The hypocrisy of having cigarettes legalized and advertisements showing drinking beer leads to the greatest excitement in a young adults’ life, but having a seed in the seat can lead to a criminal record is outrageous.
Of course, concerns of the impact on those under 18 have been raised. All of the schools in the area have strict no smoking policy. As well, the schools go beyond enforcement. More importantly they educate, starting from elementary and reinforcing throughout students’ schooling.
The most important influence will continue to be parents and family. They will be the ones who will guide, help and influence young adults on making responsible choices, not only as youths but into adulthood.
Parents also have the assurance that legal operations will ask customers for ID for proof of age, something that isn’t likely happening when the purchase is made in some parking lot.
Realistically, things won’t be too much different on Oct. 17 as it was in the past — Tommy Chong grew up in Calgary after all.
The checks and balances are now in place to calm things not create a pot-infused paranoia of yesteryear.
