Local supporters of legalized marijuana say they’re confident the Liberal-led federal government will make good on its election promise.
A steady stream of customers filed into and out of Rainbow on Bay shortly after the stored opened for its special April 20th, colloquially referred to as 420, sale. The Bay Street retailer is self-described as a tobacco, accessories and glass products store.
Its merchandise of one-hitters, bongs, vaporizers and pipes makes it a popular destination for supporters of legalized pot especially on the unofficial holiday of cannabis culture.
“I think we’ll see (marijuana) legalized within the next few years,” said Ryan, who didn’t feel comfortable sharing his last name with a reporter.
Ryan believes the government is starting to understand that legalized, taxed and regulated marijuana provides a number of positive opportunities. Referencing Colorado, he added that millions of dollars could be injected into schools from tax revenue generated from pot sales.
“It’ll be like going to a bar, it will be more under control,” he said, adding that he believes alcohol contributes to much more violence than marijuana ever would.
What Ryan didn’t know Tuesday morning is that Canada’s health minister had just told the UN at a special session of the General Assembly in New York that marijuana legislation would be introduced in a year.
Minister Jane Philpott told the assembly in a prepared speech that the government would “introduce legislation in spring 2017 that ensures we keep marijuana out of the hands of children and profits out of the hands of criminals.“
If the Liberals deliver on that timetable, Ryan may see marijuana legalized in exactly the “few years” he predicted.
Former Rainbow on Bay manager and local business owner Raechel Reed shares Ryan’s optimism.
She believes the Liberal government’s federal election victory came in part because it understood that attitudes are changing.
“A lot of people were jumping on that bandwagon in the hopes that marijuana legalization would come to pass,” she said.
“Everyone is finding out that there is a lot of good and a lot of medicinal purposes for (marijuana).”
