It's not often that you know that something truly historic is happening.
Today – Oct. 17, 2018 – is one of those days.
As of this date, cannabis has been legalized in Canada, just the second country in the world to do so.
We welcome legalization. It has finally corrected an historic wrong that made cannabis illegal in Canada for 95 years. All that comes to an end today.
Many people – both users of marijuana and non-users who recognize unjust laws when they see them – probably never thought this day would come. We still have a hard time believing it.
And credit where credit is due, we have to congratulate Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberals for doing what no other federal government in almost a century had the guts to do.
Of course, we recognize that not everyone is as thrilled that cannabis is finally legalized. Judging from some of the comments at the Oct. 10 candidates' forum for the municipal election, many of our new councillors are downright disgusted.
That's their right, certainly. But we have to wonder why they are so bothered by the legalization of cannabis. Judging from their comments, many of them have not quite accepted it.
So let's say it again. Cannabis – i.e. marijuana – is now legal. For those of you who don't like the idea, we respectfully suggest that you get used to it. You can either complain about it for years, or relax and accept that fact.
There's not much hope that legalization will be reversed in the future. Even if the Liberals are defeated in the next federal election, a Conservative government will not make cannabis illegal once again. While Conservatives might dislike marijuana, they love money even more, and cannabis has become very big business in Canada.
We sometimes wonder what opponents of marijuana legalization are expecting now that Oct. 17 has arrived.
That crazed, red-eyed marijuana freaks will be running rampant in the streets of Hay River? That they will be blowing marijuana smoke into the faces of people? (That was actually said at the candidates' forum.) Maybe they will be playing some of that evil jazz music as the soundtrack of their demonic lifestyle?
We don't mean to make light of people's concerns, but really all we can think about is Reefer Madness. That's the 1936 American film – propaganda, really – that warned of the perils of marijuana use. It's so over the top that it has become a cult classic, especially among marijuana users.
If we had to place a bet, we would wager good money that nothing noticeable or of any significance will change in Hay River with cannabis legalization. Of course, there will be an increase in people heading to the liquor store to buy marijuana, but that might be all. Maybe there could also be a marijuana garden at softball tournaments.
We agree that town council should consider a bylaw – a reasonable one – to regulate the public use of cannabis, just like alcohol is regulated.
But when that bylaw is considered, council must remember one thing. Cannabis is now legal.