WINDSOR STAR – DALSON CHEN – MARCH 27 2017

Next year’s Canada Day celebration just might be the greenest one ever, with reports that the federal government has set a date for national marijuana legalization: July 1, 2018.

ana that the federal government has enacted and replaced in recent years.

“We’ve helped them navigate the MMAR (Medical Marijuana Access Regulations), the ACMPR (Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations), and the MMPR (Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations).”

Marcoux feels it can only help his business if the future of marijuana in Canada means less red tape and more green thumbing. 

“It’s very important that you have the right equipment,” Marcoux said. “Lights, containers, grow medium and fertilizer — those are the basics.”

Information and experienced advice are readily available. Marcoux said it takes about four months time to go from seed to consumable product. “You can certainly grow it very easily with little effort. But the more you put into it, the more it rewards you.”

According to CBC News, the Liberals will be making their official announcement on their legalization plans during the week of April 10.

Last April, the Liberal government promisedthat parliamentary processes on marijuana legislation would be underway around this time this year.

Jon Liedtke, pot activist and co-owner of downtown Windsor’s Higher Limits Cannabis Lounge (251 Ouellette Ave.) said he’s glad the government is making good on its schedule.

“But at the same time, there’s definitely a need to be questioning why there are arrests still going on right now. Why are people being punished for products that will be legal relatively soon?” Liedtke asked.

Liedtke noted that earlier this month, police across the country raided numerous cannabis dispensaries — including those of Canadian pot activists Marc and Jodie Emery. The couple face multiple counts of trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.

“The government and the police are trying to abide by the current law of the land. But it appears hypocritical to those who know the legislation is coming,” Liedtke said. “We’re at a weird state where laws are changing.”

All that said, Liedtke remains excited about the future. Like Marcoux, he anticipates cannabis-related businesses will grow once legalization is official.

“Not just from locals, but tourists as well. They’re going to want to cross the border and see what legalization of cannabis looks like.”

Liedtke said Higher Limits has had roughly 17,000 visits over the past year.

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