Given the size of Canada, the country being the second to now allow legal recreational marijuana sales is a historical event.
Uruguay was the first country in the world to legalize the sale of cannabis for recreational use in 2013.
It was on Wednesday, October 17th that legal recreational marijuana became possible in Canada after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had argued that Canada’s laws criminalizing use of the drug have been ineffective because Canadians are still among the world’s heaviest users.
While many were thrilled and stood in lines to buy marijuana, many were also protesting and calling it a “dark day.”
Coalition spokesperson Pamela McColl said she believes legalization normalizes a dangerous substance. She also thinks it puts Canada into a position to be the base of the marijuana industry’s global expansion.
“It is a very, very dark day for Canada,” she told a crowd.
“The damage that is going to ensue from this policy change will be horrendous in terms of drugged driving, cognitive damage to children, more addiction, more costs. The list goes on,” she said.
“It’s Canada Went to Pot Day,” she argued.
