Canada Becomes First Major Economy To Legalize Recreational Cannabis

Canada on Wednesday became the world's first major economy to fully legalize cannabis, sparking celebrations as the nation embarked on the controversial experiment in drug policy.

Ottawa, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Oct, 2018 ) :Canada on Wednesday became the world's first major economy to fully legalize cannabis, sparking celebrations as the nation embarked on the controversial experiment in drug policy.

Throughout the country huge lines outside pot shops snaked around city blocks, cannabis flew off store shelves and government websites processed 100 pot orders per minute.

Scores of customers braved the cold for hours outside Tweed, a pot boutique in St John's, Newfoundland that opened at midnight, to buy their first grams (ounces) of legal cannabis.

Ian Power said prior to its grand opening, he was happy to "make history" by being the first to legally buy pot in Canada, adding that he would frame those few grams rather than smoke them.

"I'm elated. I'm so excited, I can't stop smiling. I'm not cold. It's freezing cold out, but I'm not cold," he said.

In Cape Breton, platinum record-selling fiddler Ashley MacIsaac was among the first buyers, while in Toronto revelers attended a "Wake and Bake" party with music, a glass pipe blower and campfire treats.

"It's fun, good for the soul, and now legal so we don't have to stress about that any more," Sebastien Bouzats from Montreal told AFP. "We don't have to hide it any more.""I did not honestly expect to witness the legalization of cannabis in my lifetime, and I am proud to be a Canadian as we take this monumental step towards providing access to cannabis," Toronto resident Katie Ahmed, 27, told AFP.

Legalization has sent stocks in pot companies soaring over the past year on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges (before retreating five percent on Wednesday), but has also been sharply questioned by some health professionals and opposition politicians.