Our neighbours down south in Washington have a big decision today. They will decide if they will pass bill I502, which would legalize marijuana, so it can be sold in specialty stores, and anyone over the age of 21 can purchase it.
Many Canadians are hoping that if the bill passes, it could help spark a change here at home, which would help get rid of the costly gang wars and other marijuana related crime we face.
If the bill passes in Washington, people 21 years or older will be able to purchase up to 1 oz of the dried form of the drug. They will also put a 25% tax on marijuana sales, where the tax revenue would go towards education, health care, research and substance-abuse prevention.
Many B.C. politicians believe that if the bill passes, the black market that many B.C. dealers cross the border to sell, will be eliminated. Oregon and Colorado will also be voting to pass the legalization of marijuana in their states today as well.
It would probably take a year before any specialized pot stores open up, and once those stores open up, users will not be able to smoke the drug outdoors, but anyone over the age of 21 is welcome to purchase it, and that includes vacationing British Columbians!
According to my business proff, the black market in BC would heavily be affected since the Americans in the drug business, would be legally able to purchase there marijuana as opposed to worrying about smuggling it across the border. This would result in the local marijuana distributors to decrease prices and make the smuggle ‘worth the buck’