From October of 2018 marijuana is legal to grow, sell and to buy throughout Canada. Doesn’t matter if you are using it or not, cannabis is coming, it is already here and as of today, it is sold in your local stores and online.
Businesses across the country, from growers and retailers to the tech and tourism sectors, are preparing to reap a windfall from legal marijuana. Many new job positions are opened in the information area, business, medical and tourism, that last expected to expand greatly and bring more tourists to visit Canada.
Health Canada says people with a registered certificate to grow medical pot in their homes for personal use can possess up to 150 dried grams or 300 fresh grams. There can also be up to four registrations in place for production at one location.
Councillor Ross Eadie says he's been receiving complaints about suspected medical grow ops causing odour and noise problems in two neighbourhoods.
Health Canada says that at the end of 2018, 27,281 people across Canada had registered to grow medical pot for personal use and of those 1,044 live in Manitoba.
As per the Manitoba government, nearly 100 organizations have pre-qualified for the expansion of retail cannabis sales. The province originally chose four companies to sell cannabis when recreational pot sales became legal last October. The companies have opened 19 stores, mostly in Winnipeg and Brandon.
The province plans to discuss potential new locations with municipalities. Any new outlets will have to get licenses from the provincial regulator, which has specific requirements for storage, security and worker training.
More than 20 of the new applicants are members of the Manitoba Hotel Association.
Fellow Winnipeggers, let’s all be smart and responsible and enjoy it if you decide to participate, follow the new law and regulations and do not share cannabis with minors.