It’s April 20, also known as 420, or World Cannabis Day. Across our region, people are marking cannabis culture’s high holiday by visiting pot stores to stock up on supplies.
But, experts say there’s still much that needs to change to keep the industry safe and sustainable.
The origins of the celebrations are cloudy, but it came to symbolize calls for legalization. Here in Canada, that battle was hard-won in 2018, but advocates say the fight’s far from over.
Festivities were in full swing across Hamilton.
General manager of Sessions Cannabis Dundurn, Romaine Francis, says the day is about celebrating the hard work and effort of the pioneers and growers who came before him.
He says lots of people are walking through the door wanting to try cannabis for the first time.
“What I always recommend to everyone when it comes to cannabis is tostart low and slow,” Francis says.
“Something like our Sourz Spinach 5:1 CBD to THC ratio, very relaxing, not too much of a stoned effect.”
On their way out customers could curb any cannabis-induced cravings with a cupcake or slice of pizza.
And over at Cabbage Brothers in Dundas, people are taking advantage of smoking deals.
The store filled up with customers looking to try all kinds of things, from cannabis infused drinks, to flower and pre rolls.
READ MORE: 5 years since Canada legalized cannabis
Canada legalized and regulated access to cannabis in October 2018, which saw the industry boom and then bust.
Director of the Humber Centre for Social Innovation, Daniel Bear, says they built a ton of grow facilities and commercial spaces, overestimating the need for produced cannabis.
Advocates say it’s time to implement policy changes to make selling safe weed more sustainable, starting with changing the excise tax.
The tax for cannabis producers amounts to $1 per gram, and was based on the federal government’s expectation that the product would sell at $10 per gram.
READ MORE: OPP shut down three illegal cannabis stores in Niagara
In reality, it’s selling at $4 or less, meaning a significant amount of consumer cost goes to tax payments.
“That keeps the cost of legal cannabis higher than illicit cannabis and keeps some people in the black market who might otherwise come to the legal side of things,” Bear says.
Cabbage Brothers General Manager Oliver Coppolino says customers also turn to the illicit market for more powerful edibles and drinks.
“Increasing limits on THC per package. There are already companies skirting those rules and operating in a grey area and they’ve been widely successful,” Coppolino says.
Although there are different opinions on the right approach for commercialization, everyone agrees that the best way to have a safe and enjoyable experience with cannabis is to be mindful.
