Canada is now the largest country with a legal national marijuana marketplace as sales began early Wednesday in Newfoundland.
Canada has had legal medical marijuana since 2001 and Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau’s government has spent two years working toward expanding
that to include so-called recreational marijuana. The goal is to better
reflect society’s changing opinion about marijuana and bring black
market operators into a regulated system.
Uruguay was first was the first country to legalize marijuana.
Tom Clarke, an illegal pot dealer for three decades, was among the
first to make a legal sale in Canada when his store opened at midnight
local time in Portugal Cove, Newfoundland. He made his first sale to his
dad and a lineup of about 50 to 100 people waited outside his shop.
“This is awesome. I’ve been waiting my whole life for this. I served
my dad,” Clarke said. “I am so happy to be living in Canada right now
instead of south of the border.”
Clarke, whose middle name is Herb, has been called THC for years by
his friends. His dad, Don, said he was thrilled he was among the first
customers of legal pot.
“It’s been a long time coming. We’ve only been discussing this for 50 years. It’s better late than never,” he said.
In nearby St. John’s, Newfoundland, hundreds of customers were lined
up around the block at the private store on Water Street, the main
commercial drag in the provincial capital, by the time the clock struck
midnight. A festive atmosphere broke out, with some customers lighting
up on the sidewalk and motorists honking their horns in support as they
drove by the crowd.
Ian Power, who was first in line, said he plans to frame his purchase.
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