Raise that freshly packed bowl in a toast — today, October 17th — marks the day that Canada has become the first major world economy to legalize recreational marijuana. It will be the largest public policy shift that The Great White North has seen in decades. The party officially began early Wednesday, and by early we mean immediately at 12 a.m. on the most eastern portion of the country, in Newfoundland. As of now, fresh and dried marijuana flowers, pre-rolled joints, and cannabis oil are all on the menu to be sold recreationally.
The Canadian government will be introducing legislation to address citizens who have been convicted in the past of possession, and many other legal questions are sure to be raised in the coming months. The eyes of the world are now on Canada, we could be witnessing the first domino to drop in a public policy experiment that will — regardless of how you view weed — change the world as we know it. We also wonder what this means for those from legalized states in America. Will we be able to now bring weed on a plane flying from Los Angeles to Ontario?!
Pack your bags, we’re going to Canada and who knows, we may never come back! Here is how Canadians and the internet-at-large reacted to the news. It’s a mix of bad jokes and thoughtful takeaways. Some of the jokes are just painful, proving that marijuana doesn’t make you funnier.
https://twitter.com/shingalalala/status/1052570802124742656
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo_2COGn0xb/?tagged=canadianlegalization
You realize @ThatKevinSmith is going to find even more shows to direct in #Canada now.#CanadaLegalization
— Karma Chamel-Ian (@Goonychild) October 17, 2018
BREAKING NEWS:
The alarming smoke along the northern US states is not from uncontrolled wildfire.
Itโs merely the morning after #CanadaLegalization pic.twitter.com/BE8SXmb3Dj— ynoT Tony? (@commisurbator) October 17, 2018
So glad to see this kind of progress. People are finally starting to turn to science instead of popular beliefs. ๐ฟ I hope this helps as many people who suffer from all types of illnesses as possible! #legalizationday #CanadaLegalization #painrelief https://t.co/mMkTBrmFMi
— Denisa (@denisa_cgn) October 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/EHS_Nike_XC15/status/1052570599141257217
All of Canada waking up this morning. #CanadaLegalization pic.twitter.com/cpCrJ5EOem
— kel๐ฅ (@bakedkeltato) October 17, 2018
A promise is a debt! Well done @JustinTrudeau ๐จ๐ฆ! This is how Canadians will be going to buy weed! #CanadaLegalization #Marijuanastocks pic.twitter.com/K2RYO5GVsj
— Fredrick Kirui ๐ (@twirax) October 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/TheTweetOfGod/status/1052576772531703810
Damn #Canada couldnt even win a war against a plant. Lmfao #CanadaLegalization pic.twitter.com/baMbPfQDWv
— Captain Time Decay (@longgonejohn81) October 17, 2018
Theyโre going to need a border wall to keep the Americans out! #CanadaLegalization
— Cubicleclown (@Cubicleclown88) October 17, 2018
First thing I said to my grandpa this morning was "let's go get some weed!!" #CanadaLegalization #IStillWontDoIt
— hales ๐ธ๐ (@haleyarod) October 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/kristenanne80/status/1052568620730109952
The day Canadians may change 4/20 to 10/17. ๐#LegalizationToday#CannabisLegalization#CanadaLegalization pic.twitter.com/PRyHu0iv8m
— ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐ ๐ยฎ (@TLContessa) October 17, 2018
This being the internet it wasn’t all a celebration, a few voiced their disappointment in Canada and those people consequently won’t be invited over for a smoke session. Ever.
#CanadaLegalization I pray this won't be the worst decision we ever make for our children… make medical marijuana legal under prescription (wish I had it when I was vomiting 24 hours a day from chemo), but don't tell those who take it for leisure that now it's ok to get stoned.
— PatriciaRodiMtl (@PatriciaRodiMtl) October 17, 2018
Something profoundly sad about a #MedicatedSociety wherein the legalization of a psychoactive drug is cause for widespread celebration #CanadaLegalization #Pot
— Christopher J. Fries (@healthsociology) October 17, 2018
Just another vote-buying tax stream for you. If you actually cared about our kids, the min age wouldโve been set at 21. #TrudeauMustGo #LiberalHypocrisy #Cdnpoli #CanadaLegalization
— Mr. Ferg (@MBFergy) October 17, 2018
#CanadaLegalization This is horrible, this will blow up minds and cause people to end up in hospitals with mental illness. Doing this for the economy to make money at the expense wellness of people, shame on you!
— Lady Linda Robles (@megabetme) October 17, 2018
Good luck up there you stoney Canucks. Enjoy having the boatloads of tax income so that you can do zany things like pay teachers and offer medical care to dying people.