To read part two, click Here
In its effort to limit the potential dangers of frequent marijuana use across all ages, the elected officials also adopted laws to manage the exposure to weed related products, content and merchandise. Only they didn’t write new laws to suit the specific risks and challenges related to cannabis. Instead they chose to apply the same rules as tobacco products.
A tobacco product is defined as such by the Tobacco Control Act (QC): The term “tobacco” includes any product containing tobacco, electronic cigarettes and any other devices of that nature that are put to one’s mouth to inhale any substance that may or may not contain nicotine, including their components and accessories, and any other product or class of product considered to be tobacco under a government regulation. (This definition hasn’t been reviewed since 2015, 3 years before legalization.)
And now the definition from The Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (CA): Means a product made in whole or in part of tobacco, including tobacco leaves. It includes papers, tubes and filters intended for use with that product, a device, other than a water pipe, that is necessary for the use of that product and the parts that may be used with the device.
So both pillars of government define very clearly what a tobacco product is and weed doesn’t fall under that definition whatsoever. Regardless, we’re forced to oblige by the Tobacco Control Act meaning that any promotion of tobacco, a tobacco product, a brand of tobacco product or a manufacturer of tobacco products, is prohibited.
We’re basically not allowed to let you know we exist outside of social media and even then, we’re walking on thin ice. Because of how hard it is to gain proper exposure, most of the market shares remain in the hands of the few big franchises that were already established. By doing so, we are purposely slowing down economic growth. The weed industry is worth roughly 61 billion, in the US alone. Imagine getting a piece of that pie for better roads and less time in emergency rooms. The market is dull due to the lack of variety, customers will often resort to online shopping because of that, meaning that none that purchase is taxed and entrepreneurs are forced to invest a ton of money to maximise their chance at being successful. The government is losing out on businesses that would, once again, pay and collect taxes here to be spent for better healthcare and education framework or even on prevention for those who are more at risk of developing a dependance to substances.
One one hand, the legalization was rushed. Provinces had very little time to prepare proper infrastructure. On the other hand, weed has been legal for 3 years now and the SQDC was one of the few businesses considered essential during the COVID-19 lockdown. This shows just how big of a role weed plays in society for people and governments, and shows the importance of having a good foundation of laws and regulations that are coherent and fair.