On Wednesday, October 17, 2018, Canada became the first major world economy to legalize recreational marijuana. Canada is the second country, after Uruguay, to legalize weed throughout the whole country.

Canadians waited for hours in line to buy the first state approved marijuana. “I have never felt so proud to be Canadian,” said Marco Beaulieu, 29, a janitor, as he waited with friends outside a government cannabis retailer. “Canada is once again a progressive global leader. We have gay rights, feminism, abortion rights, and now we can smoke pot without worrying police are going to arrest us.”

Under “Canada’s new federal cannabis act”, adults will be allowed to be in possession and share with other adults up to to 30 grams of dried cannabis. Also Canadians will only be able to have four homegrown marijuana plants per house hold.

Not everyone is thrilled about the legalization. “Cannabis is not a benign substance,” Dr. Le Foll said. “There is a clear risk of addiction, and it can produce significant mental health issues if used by the wrong kind of people.” He added, “It took decades for the public to understand the risks of cigarettes, and the legalization of cannabis has taken place only over a few years.”

Authorities will soon announce plans to pardon Canadians who have been convicted of possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana.“I don’t need to be a criminal anymore, and that’s a great feeling,” said Canadian singer Ashley MacIsaac.

It has been an eventful week for Canadians. They have been celebrating by sitting back, smoking a joint, and just relaxing.