Canada has legalized possessing, smoking, and producing recreational marijuana. It became the second country to take the step after Uruguay.
Sales began Wednesday at the stroke of midnight. Cannabis goods are available only in production facilities and shops authorized by provincial governments. Depending on the province, buyers aged 18, or 19 or older, are allowed to possess up to 30 grams of dried weed.
The minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction stressed the move was made to better keep marijuana out of the hands of youth and take profits away from criminals.
(Bill Blair / Canadian Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction)
"Up until today, the market for cannabis was entirely controlled by organized crime, in its production and in its distribution, and that has resulted in literally billions of dollars in profit going to illicit organized crime and putting our kids in jeopardy."
Cannabis legalization could be a double-edged sword. The government may enjoy more tax revenue from investment by weed growers, but serious health concerns remain.
◆recreational marijuanaしこう品としての大麻
◆Cannabis大麻
◆provincial government州政府
◆weed大麻
◆Organized Crime組織犯罪
◆illicit違法な
◆jeopardy危険
◆grower栽培者
