How Cannabis Legalization will Affect the World

With just a few days left for Canada to legalize marijuana (October 17), its consequences are affecting the nation’s political, legal and social strata. Though the impact of legalization may be felt greater in Canada, its implementation would also create a stir all across the United States and the world.
This historical ruling will make Canada  the second only country (the first being Uruguay) to legalize cannabis ona  national level. Canada legalized the cultivation and manufacture of industrial hemp (used to make CBD oil) in 1998.

The Legalization of Marijuana – What Would Possibly Happen?

Now that Mary Jane is more accepted, change should be expected, from an evolution of people’s opinions about cannabis to potential strife on our borders. Here’s a look at  some possibilities.

More Countries May Push for Legalization

Should Canada move forward with legalization, other countries may regard them as a model to follow. Canada has devised laws that provide greater leniency to an individual. Other countries may create laws that ideally would not breach any international treaty obligations. Alternatively, if violated, these laws would not result in punishment.

In the U.K for example, there is pressure on Theresa May from William Hague, the former conservative party leader and British citizens alike. According to Hague, the U.K.’s drug policy is ineffective, inept and archaic.

Changing Perceptions More in Favor of Marijuana

More people are talking openly about cannabis and the number of people engaging in this kind of conversation could increase. People are realizing that, unlike alcohol which cannot be consumed all through the day, it is acceptable to do so with cannabis, in micro-doses. So a person may take edibles at one time of  the day and a topical at another, knowing it is okay to do so. Marijuana’s versatility in having both recreational and medical applications is an attractive feature.

Could Pose Challenges for the Workplace

Owing to insufficient knowledge about what cannabis legalization allows a person to do or not to do, managers could face problems at the workplace. The possible challenges include: employees smoking at work, having to cope with employees who use marijuana for medicinal purposes, an intoxicated employee at the wheel, or citing medical cannabis as a reason for absence from work.

To nip the problem in the bud or even better, to  stop it before it begins, it would be the responsibility of employers to update company policies to include marijuana.  

A Possible Spike In Marijuana Tourism

Tourism in nations where cannabis is legalized could get a boost. In Colorado, for instance, the results of a survey showed that marijuana laws had a bearing on vacation decisions to a degree of almost 49 percent. Of all the Colorado tourists who provided survey responses, 8 percent admitted to going to a marijuana dispensary. An increase in tourism equates to revenue potential.

More People Out of Prison and a Lowered Crime Rate

The Canadian government has promised to look into the possibility of clearing Canadians previously convicted for simple possession.

Post-legalization, the police will be able to go softer on petty crimes and clear the associated crimes faster. In the U.S. for instance, the legalization of marijuana in Washington and Colorado led to speedier crime clearance rates. The police would thus have more time to focus on serious crimes.

An Invitation for Border Trouble

The United States has a policy that bars Canadians who’ve used weed from entering there. Though Canada has been putting pressure on the nation to alter the policy, it hasn’t happened. So, the upcoming marijuana legalization could create increased tension between Canada and the U.S. Should other countries legalize marijuana, their weed users would experience the same obstacle in traveling to the U.S., triggering country to country turbulence.

In the U.S., weed is legally available for medical purposes in various marijuana dispensaries as well as in 30  U.S. states including California and Oregon. You can also mail order marijuana from an online dispensary.

For those on the fence about using marijuana, irrespective of whether it is legal, there are always non-psychoactive options that can be considered. This includes CBD oil, CBD living water, hemp-infused beer and sensi seeds.