Canada’s legal pot is going well • Hacker News Board

Re: Canada’s legal pot is going well

#51

Post by bryanlarsen » Sat, Apr 13, 2019, 1:25 PM UTC

eljimmy wrote: post #5

DKnoll wrote: post #2

This doesn't echo public sentiment at all. Many are critical of the way implementation has happened, whether for or against (at least in Ontario, the most populous province and the one I base everything that follows on). Those who are 'for' are upset about the supply issues that have occurred with the legal supply being limited (long delays), more expensive and often poor quality (moldy). Those who are indifferent ar…

I don’t really have any complaints about how they implemented it here in Ontario. It’s far better than what the previous government had planned. Granted, I don’t smoke that often - but I’ve been to one of the stores and ordered from OCS online and have nothing negative to say. Maybe I just had low expectations?

"It’s far better than what the previous government had planned."

I disagree. Sure, a free market is better than a government monopoly, but marijuana isn't anywhere close to a free market. It's highly regulated and highly constrained. Only 25 stores were allowed to open province wide in one of the biggest giveaways to the private sector ever. Those licenses are probably worth hundreds of millions of dollars each and Ford just gave them away to lucky lottery winners. And of course he's going to protect them -- no city is going to allow the Mac's milk shop on every corner to start selling pot so those lottery winners are just going to print money for themselves, and lobby for their own interests, not ours.

Better a government monopoly with profits going to the taxpayer than a private sector oligopoly.

Re: Canada’s legal pot is going well

#52

Post by jgmjgm » Sat, Apr 13, 2019, 1:28 PM UTC

DKnoll wrote: post #2

This doesn't echo public sentiment at all. Many are critical of the way implementation has happened, whether for or against (at least in Ontario, the most populous province and the one I base everything that follows on). Those who are 'for' are upset about the supply issues that have occurred with the legal supply being limited (long delays), more expensive and often poor quality (moldy). Those who are indifferent ar…

I think the supply bottle-neck is the reason. All the pot has to come from a few hand-picked suppliers. Also there are claimed Liberal ties to pot production. Some quick links (although I suggest taking this with a grain of salt given the source):

https://potfacts.ca/the-liberal-party-elite-is-heavily-inves...

https://ottawasun.com/2015/10/28/liberal-cfo-could-rake-in-m...

I haven't heard any moral outrage arguments in the press or otherwise. Remember that this isn't only a youth issue or it wouldn't be used in a federal campaign promise. It is, by definition, widely supported. Recall that people well into their 60s and 70s came of age smoking pot.

IMHO there's much more moral outrage associated with the Conservative plan to reduce drinking restrictions. Ontario remains a pretty uptight place.

Re: Canada’s legal pot is going well

#53

Post by giarc » Sat, Apr 13, 2019, 1:34 PM UTC

forkLding wrote: post #34

DKnoll wrote: post #2

This doesn't echo public sentiment at all. Many are critical of the way implementation has happened, whether for or against (at least in Ontario, the most populous province and the one I base everything that follows on). Those who are 'for' are upset about the supply issues that have occurred with the legal supply being limited (long delays), more expensive and often poor quality (moldy). Those who are indifferent ar…

I would argue its too early to tell that things are going bad, the Cannabis Act was put in place on October 17th which is only 6 months ago. Moreover, most retail stores in Ontario were given very short notice (~2-4 months) to build the stores and open up on April 1st couple weeks ago. I would say in a year or two, we would have likely forgotten about all this and will be having normal and regular deliveries via Cana…

I'd say it's way too early for Ontario reactions seeing as how no stores (or enough to count on one hand) are open.

Re: Canada’s legal pot is going well

#54

Post by tonyarkles » Sat, Apr 13, 2019, 1:43 PM UTC

m-p-3 wrote: post #48

Canadian here, if by well you might massive supply shortage and low quality product, then yeah it's doing well.

In Saskatchewan there were supply shortages at the start, but that took care of itself by around new years. Quality- and price-wise... I've heard a lot of people complain about that, but it very much has not matched my experience. Yes, an 1/8oz costs more than it did when I was in high school 20 years ago, but the quality has been fantastic.

I mentally compare it to alcohol. A "couple beer" buzz costs me about $1.50, and I feel wonderful the next day. And at the rate I use it, the $50 bag (1/8oz) has lasted since about November and isn't empty yet.

Re: Canada’s legal pot is going well

#55

Post by gdsdfe » Sat, Apr 13, 2019, 1:48 PM UTC

I think it was poorly implemented, having government controlled stores means less competition, less actors in the market leading to bad quality, short supply and high prices ... And a still thriving black market.

Re: Canada’s legal pot is going well

#56

Post by Retra » Sat, Apr 13, 2019, 1:53 PM UTC

IMTDb wrote: post #50

rocky1138 wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I suspect this is some form of reverse survivor bias: the people who are happy with the service (like me) are not out on the streets cheering. It's fantastic, it's just not something that we talk about due to the stigma. I smoked exceedingly rarely before legalization (3 times in my entire life) and now I smoke often. I'm happy to pay the paltry prices for the amount of enjoyment I get from it, and I know that the we…

And this is exactly why widespread legalization is a bad idea. Take really care about that dude. Just like few drinks here and there, few cigarettes once in a while or even pain medication when you really need are not dangerous, continuous use just because "It's easy to get and it feels good" have major long term impact on you health.

None of the other things you listed are illegal? Anyway, something being bad in excess doesn't mean it should be illegal in moderation.

Re: Canada’s legal pot is going well

#57

Post by stevehiehn » Sat, Apr 13, 2019, 2:00 PM UTC

Its only been a year and already it's hard to believe there was a time when people were arrested and went to jail over this. (I live in Vancouver)

Re: Canada’s legal pot is going well

#58

Post by mabbo » Sat, Apr 13, 2019, 2:09 PM UTC

gdsdfe wrote: post #55

I think it was poorly implemented, having government controlled stores means less competition, less actors in the market leading to bad quality, short supply and high prices ... And a still thriving black market.

It varies province to province. Ontario finally opened private stores April 1st, but it's slow to start up- "Hunny Pot" is the only one I've heard of in Toronto and it has a line up three blocks long from open to close.

But more stores will open. And gradually, the black market should shrink. We'll see. I'm just glad we aren't wasting tax dollars trying to enforce prohibition anymore.

Re: Canada’s legal pot is going well

#59

Post by willsr » Sat, Apr 13, 2019, 2:32 PM UTC

wolco wrote: post #12

sintaxi wrote: post #3

No it isn't. Weed went from a thriving grey market to a black market. What changed is the government is now acting as a cartel for a very small number of companies who are allowed to sell legally. The legal companies are not meeting demand in any way comparable to pre-legalization. Prior to legalization we had a thriving free market the government wasn't getting a cut so there was no incentive for the laws on the boo…

The alleyway deals are probably easier but less common. It is risky to open a storefront but always was.

I think we'll see the market shift to delivery in BC. Storefronts are getting heavily targeted now.

Re: Canada’s legal pot is going well

#60

Post by ip26 » Sat, Apr 13, 2019, 2:38 PM UTC

DKnoll wrote: post #2

This doesn't echo public sentiment at all. Many are critical of the way implementation has happened, whether for or against (at least in Ontario, the most populous province and the one I base everything that follows on). Those who are 'for' are upset about the supply issues that have occurred with the legal supply being limited (long delays), more expensive and often poor quality (moldy). Those who are indifferent ar…

FWIW that pretty much described Colorado at first. The supply needed time to come online & stabilize, and then the pros were happy, prices came down, and the against group saw minors didn't really have more access and stopped complaining.

I want to say it took about 18 months.