RECREATIONAL CANNABIS IS LEGAL ACROSS CANADA BEGINNING OCTOBER 17 , 2018 . THE INFORMATION IN THIS ARTICLE IS NOT APPLICABLE UNTIL THAT DATE .
Weed to Know
The highlights of accessing legal cannabis in Calgary BY RACHAEL FREY
This fall , Canada becomes the second nation in the world to legalize the recreational use of cannabis . While governing bodies and citizens alike are still working out all the implications — positive and negative — of legal cannabis , a few realities are emerging from the haze .
One thing that ’ s clear is cannabis retail is not going to be like your grandma ’ s head shops . Beaded curtains and Bob Marley posters are out ; clean , modern design aesthetics are in . Gone are the days when consumers would get a mystery baggie and figure out the effects through trial and error — retailers are prepared to help consumers navigate the dizzying array of products available .
“ If someone is new to cannabis , or has been away from it for a while , our staff will help guide them to a product and experience they hope for ,” says Angus Taylor , CAO at NewLeaf Cannabis . “( We ) seek to offer a welcoming and informative environment where anyone can feel comfortable communicating their needs , as basic or complex as they may be .”
While being among the first to market a newly legalized product has its potential pitfalls , retailers such as Trevor Fencott , CEO of Fire and Flower , are excited to meet the challenge .
“ The legalization of recreational cannabis is a historic moment in Canada ,” Fencott says . “ It has been and will continue to be a process to see how the industry develops over the next year .”
WHO CAN USE CANNABIS ? Anyone over the age of 18 in Alberta and Quebec or over 19 in the rest of Canada , including Canadians and visitors from other countries , can use cannabis provided they follow laws and regulations . Cannabis use by minors is strictly prohibited , and minors may not enter cannabis retail locations .
WHERE CAN I BUY CANNABIS ?
Cannabis can be purchased online at albertacannabis . org , which is operated by the provincial government . It can also be purchased at licensed retail outlets in various forms suitable for smoking and vaping . Here are a few retail locations that were conditionally approved at the time of publication and expect to be open for business on October 17 , 2018 :
NewLeaf Cannabis - newleafcannabis . ca 21 , 2500 - 4 St SW ( Mission ) 9 , 2015 - 32 Ave NE ( Vista Heights )
Fire and Flower - fireandflower . com 3916 Macleod Tr SE ( Manchester ) 7108 Macleod Tr SE ( Fairview )
Four20 Premium Market - 420pm . ca 827 - 17 Ave SW ( Lower Mount Royal ) 102 - 10 St NW ( Kensington )
WHERE CAN I USE CANNABIS ? It is legal to smoke , vape or otherwise consume cannabis on private property . The property owner may choose to restrict cannabis use on their property , meaning that it can be forbidden by landlord / tenant agreements or condo bylaws .
It is illegal to consume cannabis in public places , except for designated cannabis consumption areas . At the time of publication , there were no areas designated for cannabis use , but when they are approved they will be listed on www . calgary . ca — though they may not be ready by October 17 , 2018 .
Festivals and events in Calgary can receive permission to provide a designated cannabis consumption area , similar to beer gardens . These will be open air , fenced off zones for 18 + only .
Smoking lounges , cafes or specialized bars for cannabis are not permitted , though this has the potential to change in coming years . Cannabis may not be used at any cannabis retail outlets . Using cannabis in vehicles ( moving or stationary ) is not permitted and it cannot be within reach of anyone in a vehicle .
• The total cannabis market in Canada — including legal and illegal recreational products and medical products — is expected to generate up to $ 7.17 billion in 2019 . Legal sales are expected to comprise more than half of that , up to $ 4.34 billion .
• Consumers who currently purchase illegal cannabis say they ’ re willing to pay about 10 per cent more for legal products .
• The frequency at which consumers purchase cannabis is expected to increase by 22 per cent for frequent users and 121 per cent for less frequent users .
• It is expected that the majority of consumers will purchase their products through brick-and-mortar retail locations , while about one-third will also buy products online .
• Legalization is expected to have a negative impact on alcohol sales as consumers substitute cannabis for beer , wine and spirits .
• More than half of current and likely cannabis consumers are interested in trying edible products , though edibles won ’ t be available legally for at least a year after cannabis is legalized .
Source : Deloitte 2018 cannabis report
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