Do adults have the right to control what they put in their bodies? Not really. But good news for marijuana users. Cannabis possession and consumption in small quantities (30 grams or 4 plants) is now permitted for folks over 19. But the federal and provincial governments still control access and pricing. And cities in Ontario can outlaw consumption in their boundaries. 

Here is what you need to know…For more check out the Ontario Canabis Store FAQ: //ocs.ca/pages/frequently-asked-questions

Who can consume: person of at least 19 years-old can buy and possess cannabis.

How to get it: Go to ocs.ca website and place an order for delivery. Note there is a $5.00 delivery charge. Many dispensaries have shut down to make sure they can apply for a retail licence in the new year.

How much: Adults 19 years of age or older may purchase up to 30 grams of dried cannabis, or the equivalent in other formats, per transaction.

Where to smoke or vape: government is still determining rules and many condos and apartments are taking steps to ban smoking. If you have medical needs to consume marijuana you are likely eligible for accommodations.

You can consume in:

• Private residential dwellings (including a front porch, balcony and backyard)
• Many outdoor public places, such as sidewalks and parks
• Designated guest rooms in hotels, motels and inns
• Controlled areas in residential care facilities, psychiatric facilities, veterans’ facilities and residential hospices
• Boats and vehicles when used as a temporary or permanent living space and not in use (excludes boats carrying passengers)

You cannot consume in:

• Enclosed public spaces and all workplaces
• Indoor common areas of condominiums, apartment buildings and university residences
• Schools and school grounds, and within 20 metres of the grounds of a school and community centre
• Restaurant and bar patios, and public areas within nine metres of a patio
• Child-care centres, home child-care centres and where an early years program or service is provided
• Children’s playgrounds
• Outdoor grounds of hospitals and certain Ontario government buildings
• Publicly owned sporting areas (except golf courses)
• Vehicles and boats that are being operated by the user (in the case of all forms of consumption) or under someone’s care or control (in the case of cannabis being smoked or vaped)

Getting high at work is risky for both safety and maintaining your job. Police forces have had wildly different standards for their officers. At a minimum workers must not be intoxicated at work in the same way that you could not drink. Check with your employer and keep paying attention to the news.

Issues:

• Prices are higher than dispensaries and then have a delivery charge of $5.00.
• Delays: As of October 23: The response to cannabis legalization has resulted in a high volume of orders. Please expect your order to be delivered within one to five business days. We apologize for any inconvenience.
• What about other drugs where the supply is poisoned and people are dying (opioids, crystal meth, and crack)???

Liberal government to waive fee, waiting time for pot pardons

Kathleen Harris · CBC News · Posted: Oct 17, 2018 

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale announced today that the government intends to table legislation to expedite the pardon process for those with a criminal record for pot.

The fee for normal record suspensions is $631. The waiting period to apply is usually five years for a summary offence or 10 years for an indictable offence.

Goodale said it will “shed the burden and stigma” and break down barriers to jobs, education, housing or volunteer work.

In the case of convictions for simple possession of cannabis, the disproportionate harm it has exacted on black and Indigenous communities points to the expungement of convictions as the only way to permanently – and purposively – erase the scarlet letter.

Expungement vs pardon vs record suspension

We might want to advocate for expungement rather than a pardon to permanently remove the conviction from history.

Pardons don’t go far enough. Convictions for cannabis possession must be expunged

A future government could retract pardons for simple possession en masse by amending the Criminal Records Act—Benjamin Kates and Pam Hrick · for CBC News · Posted: Oct 29, 2018

In the case of convictions for simple possession of cannabis, the disproportionate harm it has exacted on black and Indigenous communities points to the expungement of convictions as the only way to permanently – and purposively – erase the scarlet letter.

Today, more than 500,000 Canadians are encumbered with a criminal record for doing something that is now legal: possessing a small amount (30 grams or fewer) of cannabis.

…[a] pardon (technically called a “record suspension”) maintains the record of the conviction, but effectively places it in a separate filing cabinet. A pardon can be revoked at a later date in certain circumstances.  //www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/cannabis-convictions-1.4876783