When Canada legalized adult-use marijuana in 2018, people thought the country would become a hub for weed lovers. However, the Cannabis Act did not legalize marijuana in all its forms, and it also changed the way the marijuana plant was being regulated.
Several marijuana laws and bylaws are governing the marijuana sector. Some of the rules are to protect the citizens and are widely frowned upon by the police, while some are to ward off illegal activities that attract several consequences.
Even though recreational marijuana is legal in Canada, five of the weed-related offenses discussed below could land you in trouble with law enforcement and attract subsequent penalties.
- Impaired driving
Driving under the influence is risky for yourself as well as others, and the way the police are evaluating the presence of marijuana is considerably complicated.
Several studies have shown that the testing devices used by the police to check for marijuana impairment are not entirely accurate. Over a year ago, Michelle Gray, a resident of Nova Scotia using medical marijuana to treat multiple sclerosis, was stopped for a routine traffic check and she tested positive for marijuana even though she had not consumed any weed six hours before getting behind the wheel. After she was arrested, she was subjected to an intensive sobriety test which she passed and was released; however, she had to pay $300 for her car to be released and missed several working days. She is now challenging the law in court.
- Interstate transportation of weed
Canadian law prohibits ferrying weed into or out of the country. It does not matter if it is for medical use or that the flights were diverted or if you were traveling from a state where marijuana is legal.
- Selling without a permit
Before legalization, the authorities were not focused on unlicensed dispensaries; however, since October 2018, law enforcement has been tracking down all illicit sellers. When a decade old, non-profit compassion club, Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club, was shut down by B.C’s Community Safety Unit, members of the marijuana community were enraged.
Raids and busts have been taking place across the provinces and also on indigenous territories, and several people have been arrested for operating dispensaries and consumption lounges without permits.
As per the federal law, charges can range from a ticket to a maximum of 14 years in jail.
- Possessing more than the stipulated amount of marijuana
The federal marijuana Act in Canada allows people to carry not more than 30 grams of dried cannabis flower, and this varies depending on the province as some stipulate it to be below 120 grams. You will face serious consequences when found, except when in need of emergency medical or law enforcement assistance.
- Laundering weed money
Businesses or people found helping unlicensed marijuana businesses hide the proceeds of their cannabis sales will usually face severe legal consequences.
According to law enforcement, in December of 2019, Moxipay was charged for facilitating more than 84,000 illegal transactions, where about $15 million was received as proceeds from several unlawful online marijuana companies’ sales. Moxipay is based in Edmonton and was busted by the RCMP.
The customer’s money first went through Moxipay and then it was transferred to the respective companies. Several company employees and four directors are currently facing charges such as the commission of an offense for a criminal organization and laundering money for unlawful businesses.
These scenarios provide a cautionary tale for people in U.S. states where marijuana is legal in some form, and this could provide additional emphasis as to why weed companies like Plus Products Inc. (CSE: PLUS) (OTCQX: PLPRF) urge users to ensure that they understand all the applicable laws before consuming a cannabis product.
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