Canada Celebrates Legalisation of Cannabis By Getting High, Of Course

What do you do when your country becomes the largest legal marijuana market in the world? That's right, you get high.

The Cannabis Act came into effect at the stroke of midnight on 17 October and celebrations swept the nation from time zone to time zone. Newfoundland was the first province to celebrate the new law, with hundreds gathering outside stores and smoking in the streets.

In Toronto, people partied the night away below a giant cannabis bud which dropped from the ceiling at midnight at Leafly's countdown party.

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The city also hosted a 'wake and bake' celebration the next day, with smokers gathering around a campfire at the Hot Black Coffee Shop. Jimson Bienenstock, co-owner of the shop, said the gathering was a celebration of a lifestyle, rather than purely the freedom to be intoxicated.

According to the Toronto Star, he said: "At midnight is when you get all the drunk people. We don't want that. We're about drinking coffee and having some fun."

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Tom Clarke opened a dope store in Newfoundland, having been an illegal dealer for the past three decades. Crowds cheered as he made his first legal sale to his dad.

According to the Metro, he said: "This is awesome. I've been waiting my whole life for this.

"I am so happy to be living in Canada right now instead of south of the border."

At least 111 legal cannabis stores are expect to open across the country, according to CNBC. But before you book your flights, it's worth checking where these stores are. Ontario, for example, does not have a store, meaning weed can only be purchased online.

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In Alberta, the government pot-selling site crashed during its first hours active due to the volume of people trying to place orders.

The laws on public consumption also vary across the country. In some places they have fairly relaxed laws regarding public smoking, while others prohibit it and can impose hefty fine for those in breach.

The province of Alberta, for example, has some of the most liberal public smoking laws, however, its biggest city, Calgary, restricts usage to designated areas.

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The newfound freedom felt odd for Alex Lacrosse in Montreal, who said he was smoking a number with a friend as police officers walked by.

Speaking to his friend, he said: "I passed you a joint right in front of them and they didn't even bat an eye."

The smell of weed was reported to have hung heavy over the Quebec city as the law came into place.

Corey Stone, 32, said the historic day was special for him, but on the whole opinion is still divided on the drug's legalisation.

According to CityNews Toronto, he said: "It's like Christmas, New Year, my birthday and Easter all in one day. For a stoner it's kind of a good moment.

"You can see it from people walking by, some are smiling, but some are shaking their heads."

Topics: Cannabis, Canada

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey