A day in the life of legal pot: ‘I threw the money at her, she threw the weed at me’
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Megan Kennedy had it choreographed: Cut a ribbon, sell some weed. Close to midnight, she told one of the regulars at her health food store in St. John’s exactly how much he’d need: $6.90 for a pre-rolled joint, taxes in. The customer counted the money and balled it up in his fist, holding it there for 20 minutes, careful not to lose any coins, waiting for 12:01 a.m. Wednesday – the time, as prescribed by the Newfoundland premier, for legal cannabis sales to start.
Kennedy, who co-owns Natural Vibe, a health food store with a new cannabis wing, wanted to make the first legal sale in Canada – a feat she was geographically positioned to do, being in the time zone that would first enter Oct. 17.
A few blocks along Water Street in St. John’s, the major cannabis retailer Tweed had a more intricate plan. The retailer flew Bruce Linton – CEO of Tweed’s parent company Canopy Growth – to the St. John’s outlet. He stood behind the counter to declare in front of a phalanx of invited news cameras that history had been made, handing over Tweed-branded bags to the first customers in a collision of commerce and counter-culture broadcast across the country.
At Natural Vibe, a short walk away, Kennedy knew about the scene at Tweed. There was a part of her that wanted to beat them. “I’m a really competitive person in my heart,” she said. “I just wanted to be the one.”
At midnight, she cut the red ribbon that was pulled across the countertop in her store. They started at a timer, counting down to 12:01. Kennedy turned to her first customer, Jackson McLean.
“I basically threw the money at her, she threw the weed at me, and we were done,” McLean said. “It felt just like New Year’s, but instead of a new year we’re going into a new era.”
From 12:01 a.m. Newfoundland Time, these firsts continued westward, with hordes of people waiting outside pot shops, or refreshing their browsers online, all grasping at something, probably just to buy weed, maybe witness history, but also, for some, to be history. For now, what’s clear is the day delivered characters, plucked by news reporters pacing the lines outside pot shops. There was the man named Ned Flanders, first into one of the stores in Calgary, though another man identified only as Rick was also a candidate for the city’s first customer. Kyle Sweezie waiting outside a shop in Edmonton was subject to a degree of social media notoriety after being photographed with a half-eaten McMuffin. So, too, was the bearded gentleman in Halifax who showed off a shoulder bag his mother made him in a TV interview with CBC News.
The federal Liberal government, responsible for Wednesday’s legalization, marked the day by announcing plans to simplify the process of receiving pardon’s for pot possession convictions. Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale promised forthcoming legislation that will waive the five-year waiting period and $631 fee that applicants for pardons currently face.
“Now that the laws on cannabis have changed,” Goodale said, “individuals who previously acquired criminal records for simple possession of cannabis should be allowed to shed the stigma and the burden of that record.”
In New Brunswick, Brian Harriman was at a boardroom table in a warehouse past midnight, watching numbers projected on a whiteboard in the room. Traffic was surging on the province’s online cannabis store, hovering around 400 active users at a given minute, then jumping past 700. Harriman, CEO of New Brunswick Liquor Corporation that is managing the roll-out of the province’s government-run cannabis stores, said one of his staff kept refreshing their order totals – 12 purchases in the first nine minutes, 220 in the first hour. (Compare that to B.C., where the government site reportedly sold 1,000 cannabis products in the first hour.)
In the morning, Harriman posted himself inside one of New Brunswick’s 20 Cannabis NB retail stores, watching the people stream in after waiting an average of 35 minutes in line.
“In our stores all day, it’s been like kids on Christmas,” he said. “They’ve been waiting for this anxiously.”
In Montreal, Hugo Senecal thrust his fist in the air, crying out from the front of a line outside a government-run Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC) store on Ste.-Catherine Street that started at 3:45 a.m. “I’m basically a stoner,” he told the Gazette , “and I just want to be the first one to buy legal cannabis in Montreal.” Senecal was the first to buy, at least at that location. At another SQDC, one woman was waiting in the line of 250 with her two dogs, named Karl Marx and Rosa Luxemburg.
There were no lines in Ontario. There are no legal stores, not yet, as the new Progressive Conservative government sorts out licences for private retailers after scrapping its predecessor’s plan for government-run stores. Until April, cannabis sales will be confined to the province’s Ontario Cannabis Store website , which depends on Canada Post for delivery. But the possibility of a Canada Post strike as soon as Monday threatened to derail the province’s distribution scheme.
In Regina , delays meant that the closest cannabis store open on Wednesday was roughly 15 kilometres from downtown in Edenwold. By Wednesday morning, 30 people from Regina had made the trip to wait in line outside. In Manitoba, Winnipeg police posted a photo of a $672 ticket, issued for using cannabis in a motor vehicle.
On Wednesday afternoon, amid all the talk of pardons and tickets and waning supply, Don Clarke, another of Canada’s first-ever cannabis customers, was at home in Newfoundland. He had spent much of the previous night and early morning at his son’s pot shop outside St. John’s in Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s, where his son sold him two packages of pre-rolled joints just after midnight. Clarke hadn’t touched the joints. “I’ve been off it for a month,” he said. “I’ll give it a shot, but later on, probably around Christmas.”
Those joints are his claim to the first customer title, though, when asked about it, the 70-year-old seems more comfortable talking about politics or Newfoundland’s production of eggs. But he was happy to talk about his son, Thomas H. Clarke of THC Distribution, and how he was just buzzing around his shop as midnight came.
“I could hardly look at him because it would just bring tears,” Clarke said. “It’s a love thing. It just makes me emotional to see him so outgoing and busy and well-liked and accepted.”
Tags
Who is online
252 visitors
It seems the first day of legal pot sales in Canada was a rousing success for business, government and users
Lol read another story about a Girl Guide who sold out of her entire stock outside one store.
I wonder if it's a violation to toke joint while ridding a moose or when one is tapping a maple tree for syrup.
I wonder what our fearless Canadian/Cuban/somewhat American, Ted (Smiley) Cruz thinks of this.
Sorry Freefaller I just couldn't resist.
Not if the moose is allowed to inhale the second hand smoke, nor if it's intended to mix a little hash oil into the syrup.
Yep that would be classified as animal abuse here.
lol
Assuming riding a moose is even possible (they are disagreeable critters) it would be a violation of DWI laws.
Might be a violation of company policy if one is doing it while on the job. I know in my job if you're caught toking at work your life is going to start sucking in pretty short order. Otherwise probably not although I would recommend extreme care be taken while hammering the tap into the tree.
I used to live in AK and there is no way I would ride a moose unless I was completely stoned.
Perhaps one day they'll go door-to-door selling loaded brownies instead of cookies.
Underage girls legally selling pot? Sorry I can't see that ever happening
Its happening now BUT they dont sell the pot, they sell the munchies to the potheads !
kinda a win , win situation the girls sell their cookies and the stoned people dont have ta drive to go get their munchies !
lol
GOT MILK ?
But it's for charity. LOL. The Girl Guides can sell the Brownies, and the Brownies can sell the cookies.
Good for Canada, I hope they use much common since in the implication and legalization.
Being one of the first nations they will be looked at and legalization in other countries including our own may depend on how it goes there.
The fight against it has already started in the USA. I just saw an article about car crashes having increased in one State since pot was being sold there. Expect the alcohol, tobacco and drug lobbies to be very active in seeking prohibition.
Buzz, Unfortunately as a long term marijuana user I have watched so much negative stuff about marijuana use its ridicules. I know firsthand what "recreational" marijuana use does to most people because I've lived around it most of my 60 years of life.
I also have much experience with alcohol and alcoholics.
I've seen some of the worse with both and believe me the alcoholic has a much worse life than any pothead I've ever known in like 45 years of personal use and 60 years of life. I was born addicted to alcohol and nicotine as were all three of us kids in my family I am the only survivor and to me marijuana use in moderation will never rank as destructive as the alcoholism has done that I have personally witnessed.
I feel very fortunate myself to have survived both alive and with I believe most of my faculties intact from my alcoholic and occasional heavy drug use days.
I still use and enjoy marijuana in moderation and probably will till I die. (or go blind, as I now use it for medical reasons because ironically, I have Glockoma)
IMO: Marijuana is not near as strong of a drug as alcohol is and a hell of a lot less long term destructive both mentally and physically.
I think marijuana should have been federally legalized long ago. Instead we have deadly alcohol and tobacco sold on almost every street corner of America at your local convenience stores. (piling up the bodies) as I think I heard someone ironically post about the potheads, funny stuff eh ? not to me) My family is in that pile of dead alcoholics.
I see no common sense in having deadly additive substances so readily available while the less additive non lethal alternative drug called marijuana is still federally illegal.
But that is the way our government has worked this shit all my life. Any changes for the advancement in a reasonable logical fashion on marijuana as far as studying, using and legalizing it in my book is so long over do I just kinda laugh and still shake my head in amassment that it has taken most of my life to get this far.
I know this is a mild drug. Much more so than the alcohol that has been legal for so many years and killing Americans daily.
It is what it is, and it sure isn’t the monster so many think or seemingly want it to be…
I agree 100%. Rec use is legal here in California but the sales taxes are about 25% which is highway robbery !
Yeah they sure aren't too concerned about closing down the illegal trade are they ?
Greedy Idiots !
I fully understand Steve. I was the lawyer who incorporated Toronto's "head shop" for a client, and I even sometimes worked behind the counter for fun - and I also know as a fact and from experience that if anything, drivers who partake are not only careful but also non-aggressive.
No one should be impaired behind the wheel.
Mark it on the calendar. I agree with Buzz! Will wonders never case!
I'm not at all impaired when I'm behind the wheel after partaking. I'm careful. After partaking or not.
Buzz is to the left on other issues too. I agree with him on many things [Removed]
I used to agree, (mostly) I never though it affected my driving much if any either but as I got older I think it does just a little.
At least for me now I dont smoke and drive. I feel not as "with it" right after getting high and therefore I wait a little while. Then I forget I was waiting, but by then I'm ok.
LOL
My life... LOL
I'm like you. I don't drink and drive and I don't toke and drive. I know my limitations. When I want to use mind altering substances, I usually drift to my deck and watch the wild life while partaking
I wonder if the pardon will be effective to wipe the names off the lists aleady in the hands of the American customs and immigration officials. I recall that a client of mine who had a record for simple possession had been blocked from entering the USA, but that was about 20 years ago.
Do not count on it. America is nuts when it comes to marijuana laws here. I have a friend who has muscular dystrophy and his pain management CHOICE is either MMJ that doesn't take away all his pain on its own or opioids that are ruining his life, Although its been shown that both used together lessens the need for the opiods and therefor lessens the side effects of the opioids as well. '
Nope not in America ! Here you have your choice, one or the other.
what bull shit.
This guy was doing so much better on both, he was forced to change doctors because of the opioid crises and now is suffering because his new pain management dr is testing him monthly for pot so he legally can not use the marijuana (even though he has a medical prescription to use it) or they will refuse him his opioid pain medication.
Again what Bullshit.
So I wouldn't expect America's customs or immigration situation to change one damn bit.
According to some articles I've read you are correct Steve
That's just awful! How is the man supposed to function?
Thanks Trout, Yes it is awful. I really feel for the guy, who is a very nice person BTW.
He was a productive citizen till about 35 and into stuff like I was, working on cars, music, getting high..lol 15 years later thru no fault of his own he's barely able to function and his life now consists of mainly drs visits, medication and suffering.
The opioids fucked up his eating, his sleeping, and his cognitive abilities. His now constantly needing help has driven off many his family and friends and his condition is continuing to quickly decline.
His drs dont seem to either do anything legally about it or dont care. Not long ago he was able to get both the opiods and MMJ and he seriously as doing so much better, Now hes a mess cause they've reduced his pain medications and he no linger can use MMJ either. He says he's in constant pain and can hardly take care of even his own personal need these days. I can see his crippling has gotten worse and I think he really will need to be in a facility now before long where he had been living on his own till now.
Some adicts screwed his pooch for damn sure. Now HE cant get what he really needs to ease the suffering from his disease and HE IS NOT ALONE !
Sad !! and unnecessary ! But typical of America's over reactionary ways.
Thanks for asking Trout, Unfortunately he's not functioning worth a shit, he's dying a slow painful debilitating death. Sorry to say.
Make America great.. OK legalize marijuana and properly integrate it into the medical professional system of the country , cause this is sure Bull Shit .
Sorry ya asked ? Sorry I had to say.
Now I hate ta post it
I can tell you care deeply about your friend. I'm very sad he has to live like this
Thank you Trout. Yes, I hate seeing him suffering.
Unfortunately there is little I can offer him to make it any better. An ear to vent to and rides to the dr. I also help him with some personal things like taking him shopping sometimes or doing things he has a real hard time with at his nome.
He recently needed to move so now he is further away and I see and and I'm able to help him even less. I still talk to him often and encourage him all I can But I sure wouldn't want to be in his shoes right now especially. When you know what helps you and you are legally denied that help, I'd say yur fucked. I sure feel for the man.
But until and unless medical marijuana is properly and fully integrated into the medical system I dont see his situation getting any better, only worse.
Thanks again for your comments trout I agree it is very sad and unfortunately for him, IMO: Totally unnecessary.
But that's the American laws and medical system of today.
The combination of opioids and cannabis for pain is incredibly effective. I take VERY low doses of both to manage my back pain. 1 dose of cbd oil and a 1/2 of a 5mg hydrocodone keeps me active and damn near pain free.
I been on several script drugs over the last 10 years......gabapentin, meloxicam, steroids.........none of them have been as effective as what I’m doing now.
that is what my buddy said. For many years he did a combination of the two and actually was doing fairly well considering his disease has petty well crippled both this hands and his feet. His hands resemble claws more than human hands at this point.
But he was maintaining an independent lifestyle, that is probably coming to an end for him.
I've seen that he can hardly do what he needs to do to stay self sufficient these days now that his dr is freaking about opioids and MMj use together, He did try to change drs but the amount he was on frightened them all away, ( Hes in advanced stages of muscular dystrophy) Hes stuck now conforming to the law of one or the other according to Az laws. And suffering much more than I've ever seen him. Sad !
Both sides of the border can be stupid. A friend of mine can't go to Canada becuase he got busted as a teen in New York for trying to sneak into a drive in, in the trunk of a car......Canada laelled him as undesireable.......
LOL. Customs and Immigration Officials open trunks when cars cross the border. That's the first time I've heard of Drive-Ins opening trunks. How else could they know he sneaked in? And for that to be an offence recorded in police files is ludicrous. And for Canada to consider such a teen-age prank to label him an undesirable is even more ludicrous.
I used to be against legalizing pot. In fact, it has ruined many a life. Etiher as a "gateway drug" , or on it's own. Some people become paranoid from marijuana use. If unaddressed, it can cause grave issues.
However, I have come to the conclusion that social media has ruined as many lives or more, and no one wants to regulate that, so to hell with it. Let anyone destroy themselves in any way they wish.
My "Gateway drug" was sugar, then caffeine, then nicotine, then alcohol, then marijuana.
I've eliminated the first three, I'm clinging to the fourth and looking forward to being able to switch to the fifth legally some day.
legally some day.
I don't know where you live SP but it will be legal before too long. When other states see what the states with legal pot are pulling in with taxes they will go for it.
Yep just keep token and saying that. I did for 40 + years. LOL
You're right though , now that some states are rakin in the big bucks in over taxation that will entice the others to join in.
You know it will.
Probably too well.
It's a win win situation as far as I'm concerned. Tax it and let the funds go to infrastructure, schools . . . it's not like gambling which can truly destroy a life.
I cannot wait until it's legal for recreational use. I get tired of going to my 'dealer'.
Stayed tuned in Michigan...on the ballot.
How would it be taxed?
It would be taxed at 10 percent, plus the existing 6 percent sales tax. Analysts suggest that if recreational marijuana is allowed sales in Michigan could exceed nearly $1 billion a year.
Funny thing Tesslyo, all the years I was buying illegally I never had any dealer pushing me to buy pot "today at a reduced price."
Not that I have glaucoma and a MMJ card, my cell phone rings off the hock with dispensary's "deals" pushing their wares
Ironic as hell
I'm not so sure a lot of them will, they'd rather cut off their own noses off then relax their grip a bit.
They have been all my life anyway. My favorite is the adrenaline junkies !
It is not in itself a "gateway drug" - it does not require increasing use to get high, and in itself creates absolutely no desire to move up to other drugs such as cocaine or heroin. The only reason it would be is if the user fraternizes with others who DO use those drugs, and wants to "belong". If it WERE a "gateway drug" there is no way it would have been legalized anywhere, even for medicinal use. You're just swallowing negative propaganda to even suggest it.
My parents gave me sugar, my mom smoked and drank while I was in her so I came out addicted to the nicotine and boose at birth a reintroduction within the family unit wasn't long in coming as well. The caffeine was given to me as a child in soda.
I guess I did fraternize with others who used drugs often to alter their reality and mine to some degree.
I also agree with you Buzz having marijuana illegal does put those people buying it in contact with others who had been willing to break the law and would be more likely to sell more dangerous drugs as well. I've always known that...lol
Once legal that factor dissolves. As well as some other negatives associated with marijuana. Regulate, reasonably tax, study and legalize marijuana just as we have done with the deadly alternatives alcohol and tobacco.
Americans deserve the personal freedom of choice of their own pursuit of happiness. Prohibition of alcohol failed and so has the prohibition of marijuana some people including our politicians are just to damn stubborn to accept the reality of it. Banning anything it is a unrealistic fantasy so proven now for over 40 years. (this time) so far.
You're just swallowing negative propaganda to even suggest it.
Don't think so I'm saying Marijuana is no more a gateway drug than any other. But any one drug does tend to lead one to use others at some time many many times for many many people.
Especially as you say thru association.
If legally bought alcohol or tobacco doesn't "lead" to use of heroin or cocaine, because one does not need to purchase it from a "pusher", then why would legally bought marijuana do that if one need not buy it from a "pusher" who probably WANTS a person to become addicted (isn't that good for business?) then there need not be an "association" with those who USE serious drugs.
And, Thank you for sharing your opinions as well Buzz
Good point. The only way pot is a 'gateway drug' is that it puts you in contact with illegal drug dealers and you develop the contacts that make it possible to purchase hard drugs. I would like to challenge any totally straight person who has never done drugs, and thinks drug dealers are 'pushers,' to go out and purchase some cocaine. I'll bet them they can't do it, even if an actual cocaine dealer is pointed out to them.
I would also add that only a fraction of weed dealers offer hard drugs as well. I would have no idea where to find hard drugs in my city, even though the paper is constantly reporting drug busts. But I can find weed if I want it.
Do you live near Baltimore? I can't find anything right now and I hear it's like that before elections.
Damn it!!!!
OOO That sucks. I remember those days thankfully AZ has MMJ now. Unfortunately I also have glaucoma now as well so running out is no longer a problem for me.
Its also slightly cheaper than when I was buying it illegally. although back then I didn't have the dispercary calling me everyday wanting me to stop by and take advantage of their discounts.
It kinda takes pushers to a new level, one I've never experienced before in 45 years of use.
It's not that easy to get on the list to get medical marijuana here in Maryland. I'm glad that I don't have any of the conditions to get on the list, but it sure sucks. I was so disappointed when I heard there's nothing around right now.
These are the conditions in Maryland.
A friend of mine said a friend of his was able to say he had insomnia and anxiety to get MMJ. I don't know how he managed that.
First He tried, second if he was smart about it he already had "backup " paperwork from certified drs.
I did not know I had glaucoma till I was already under way in gathering what I needed to get a card.
I have had some "slight" back problems resulting in some discomfort so I saw a dr,did what they said to do. a little prescribed physical therapy (which did help strengthen my core) and then told them it had not helped much with the pain and was given a written diagnosis of Chronic Pain !
So I had what I probably needed to get my card but during this time I also had an eye exam and they discovered I have glaucoma,. In Az that is an almost guaranteed immediate qualifier.
So honestly I dont know if not for the glockoma if what I had was sufficient to qualify me BUT the Medical Marijuana Dr said she still thought it would have.
Chronic Pain ! ....easy to document hard to disprove
Hell these days say what ya want to get what ya need, words dont mean much its deeds that matter !
LOL
Some people become paranoid from marijuana use. If unaddressed, it can cause grave issues.
Then they shouldn’t smoke pot. Some people have grave issues with peanuts, and they should stay away from peanuts. Easy peasy. No oppressive nanny state governmental controls required.
I don't believe that pot is a gateway drug. If someone is going to do hard drugs, they're going to hard drugs. Honestly I've tried just about everything you can imagine that's out there. I would never do any other drug again. Marijuana is my drug of choice.
I honestly don't see how pot could ruin a life.
If you become paranoid from pot use, don't use it. Plain and simple.
I've been smoking it every day since the seventies and still remember virtually everything I learned in school, still help high school students with advanced mathematics problems, and I'll still put my spelling and grammar up against anyone's.
I've been smoking it since I was 16 or so. I'd put my spelling and grammar up against anyone's also. When it comes to math though, beyond the basics, fagheddabout it! That's always been my weak point - math. I struggled with pre-algebra.
LOL! I always did my calculus homework better stoned
So THAT was the method. I was not allowed to continue in Pre-Med because I made history by getting the lowest mark in Calculas in the records of the university, and I guess it was because I didn't even know what pot was back then.
LOL. I just noticed. I must have hated the subject so much I can't even spell its name right.
LOL I don’t count on nothing except my fingers, unless it’s up to 20 then I take my shoes off.
I'm no genius, but I do like math.
If you can learn and understand it stoned, you got it. Got it "stone cold" you might say.
Math? Math is WONDERUL stuff. but Calculus, trigonometry, even simple geometry...woof.
What do you do when you have to count to 21?
LOL.. That's kinda private. But I do need to take both my shoes and pants off if that gives ya a hint.
lol
Hey don't blame me, You asked !
lol
Would you believe I had the hardest time with long division but when I got into algebra, geometry, trig and calculus....I kicked ass?
I should have said I already know the answer. It's all good.
thus the number 21.. Got ya !
lol... Thanks for the easy set up !
Perhaps there is a comedy act in our future...lol
I didn't have a problem at all with long division, I ate it up. But when I tried calculus and Geometry, I said " duh" on the first day, worked my brains out (why I am like I am) but didn't stop saying "duh" all semester and barely managed to pull "C"s. I don't think higher mathematics likes me.
Not surprised you kicked ass, for a lot of people it's logical and fun.
For me, it's a loud voice with a Bronx accent telling me to "Get the F... outta here!"
Well, for many years while pot was illegal everywhere, pot users had every right to be paranoid. The cops were looking hard for pot smokers and a lot of conservatives were too. Anybody you passed might turn you in because they smelled it on you, or noticed your eyes were red, or (heh) you were acting paranoid.
At the height of anti-pot, you would lose your job at least and there were mandatory prison sentences for even small amounts. For a short period of time, there was a T.V. ad that asked children to turn their parents in to the police or their teachers so the police could come and "help" the parents, but it didn't work (thank god) and it didn't last (yuge backlash for some reason) and then they went back to the "brain on drugs" ads.
Paranoid? LOL damn right they were. I'm not sure how much less paranoid they may be now, but it's got to be better than it used to be.
You're also correct in thinking that people will find their own way to hell, look what alcohol probation got us and how effective it was in stopping people from drinking.
Man #1: Dude, how high are you!!!?
Man #2: 6'2".
If a midget gets high are they....medium?
How high were you when you first thought of that question?
Not at all.