15 Aug Travel Guide: Marijuana Laws in the US, CA, Netherlands, and Portugal
As we head deeper into vacation season, planning and prepping for your next trip will be a top priority. And this could mean more than just deciding which airline to use or which shirts to pack. From a legal perspective, you also to need to be prepared and informed about the laws which govern the country you’re visiting.
This will be especially true of marijuana laws, as they’re rapidly changing all over the world. It’s either a work in progress, legalized or, as it is for most countries, still a legal mess. For instance, if you’re traveling to Canada you’ll find it a very different legal experience once you cross the border.
Canada’s Legal Marijuana Mess
In Canada, legal gray areas abound. Though marijuana is legalized for medical purposes in Canada, the laws and regulations are undergoing intense criticism.
There are 3 treaties regulating it in Canada: the Criminal Code of Canada, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, UN. With the exception of medicinal purposes, marijuana is illegal to possess, sell or grow. If caught, penalties include a criminal record, 6 months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
Despite the heavy charges, Canadian laws on marijuana are inconsistently implemented at best. With marijuana being the most popular illegal drug in Canada, the marijuana usage rates in each province are virtually the same. Yet, geographically, statistics show that law enforcement rates on marijuana-related crimes actually differ.
Note especially that the number one issue in Canada to date is medical marijuana dispensaries. These are considered illegal across the country because only licensed producers can distribute medicinal marijuana via registered mail. Thus, while dispensaries are providing easier access to medical marijuana, obtaining it from these storefronts is technically against Canadian law. Yet, users are still purchasing from them, shops are still popping up, and the majority of dispensaries are still running.
Progress Towards Legalization
Under Canada’s new Liberal government, though, the country is on the path to making recreational marijuana legal in the spring of 2017. This, in itself, is a complex undertaking. Because marijuana legalization is under federal control, the government will have to work closely with local governments and the bylaws in each province. Slight variations from province to province could complicate issues even more.
So how will Canada approach the issue? In developing a new legal framework, Canada can look to other countries as a model. For instance, in addition to the US, countries like Portugal and the Netherlands have also implemented laws which have been successful to a certain degree. They differ slightly in approach, ranging from where one can smoke to how much can be in your personal possession.
Marijuana Lessons: USA vs Portugal vs Netherlands
This infographic takes a closer look at their laws and ours, possibly predicting what may be in store for Canada—and for you, if you’re traveling to the Netherlands or Portugal, as well.
DISCLAIMER: The information and views set out in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the MyCity-Web collective. This is a contributed article via our Submit Post Page and should be viewed as such.
