The End is Here

What do you do when pollsters say your party is losing support as an election looms?

It would be hard to argue that blurting out “marijuana use is infinitely worse than tobacco” was a good strategy, but that’s the route Stephen Harper chose.

It had a lot of people scratching their heads, even prohibitionists, and we all know what happened next.

Obviously, the Conservatives’ stance on cannabis wasn’t the major reason they lost the election, but it definitely played a role.

Justin Trudeau and his Liberal party will now form a majority government, and the waiting game has begun as to when the recreational use of cannabis will become legal in Canada.

Cynics will say it’s not going happen, that politicians make a lot of promises, but this pledge on the Liberal campaign trail cannot be reneged. There’s too much support — the people have spoken.

Prevailing attitudes are shifting as the world is learning more about this wonderful weed, with the cannabis community on the verge of making a major breakthrough.

Mounting evidence shows cannabis helps all sorts of ailments, and people have been legally using it for this purpose for a long while.

We keep seeing studies and experiments proving its healing properties. There’s even proof cannabidiol (CBD), a chemical found in cannabis, can help prevent cancer from spreading.

That’s not crazy talk, you can look it up.

Aside from its myriad of medical purposes, there has always been the other use for cannabis: getting high. And what’s wrong with that?  People like to take a break from reality, they sure aren’t drinking booze because of the taste. It’s acceptable to have a few adult beverages to unwind, and drinking is big part of our society.  But comparing alcohol and cannabis isn’t even close.

Alcohol is known to be dangerous, addictive and deadly.

You can’t say the same thing about cannabis, or you would be lying.

So how will our newly-elected government change cannabis laws in our country?

There are fears licences will only be given to big producers, creating a monopoly much like the tobacco industry. The fact the Liberal Party’s chief financial officer is the founder of Canada’s largest licensed producer has only stoked those flames.

But, like the booze business, there is plenty of room for both big and smaller players.

The craft beer market has exploded in the last couple of years, new licences to brew being approved at a rapid rate. There are very few establishments left that don’t offer an alternative to something produced by Labatt or Molson these days. This shows that consumers want choice, with many turning up their noses at corporate beer. The same thing will happen when recreational cannabis use becomes legal, because it would be hypocritical not to.

The government won’t be able to shut small producers and stores out of the industry, it won’t be supported and any arguments will fail.

Jade Maple sees a booming industry on the horizon, much like we see in Colorado, where there is room for entrepreneurs and producers at all levels. We are confident the market will grow, and we invite you to grow with us.