As recreational marijuana legalization approaches, even the most committed narc might be getting a little…curious. We cornered activist, writer and decade-long cannabis smoker Sarah Hanlon for a no-judgment, ask-me-anything session on the subject—a little clearing of the smoke, if you will.

How will it all work when recreational marijuana use is legal in Canada? Will you just go to the store in the same way you’d go to the LCBO to buy wine?

“Yes, actually. It’s all regulated provincially, but in Ontario, for example, you’ll go to the Ontario Cannabis Store or you can still get it online. If you’re going on the day they open, I’d say plan to get in line because I think they’re going to be very busy.”

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Where will these Ontario Cannabis Stores be located?

“The first four to open will be in Guelph, Kingston, Toronto and Thunder Bay. By the end of 2018, the plan is to have 40 stores across the province, and those will be in municipalities that include Barrie, Brampton, Hamilton and Ottawa. By 2019, there will be 80 Ontario Cannabis stores, and by 2020, 150.”

How much will this recreational marijuana cost?

“It’s hard to say, but there will definitely be a range. I’d say the average would be around $10 dollars a gram before tax.”

What will you actually be able to buy at these cannabis stores?

“You will only be able to buy the dried flower. You won’t find edibles, since the government hasn’t yet made those legal. They will consider more options along with vape pens and concentrates.”

How much marijuana can you buy at one time?

“You will be allowed 30 grams, which is just over an ounce of dried cannabis. That’s also the maximum you can have on you in public.”

And that’s it in terms of places you can buy marijuana in Canada, legally?

“Legally speaking, yes. You will also be able to grow up to four plants of your own at home—although there are certain provinces, like Quebec and Manitoba, that are opposing that part of the legislation. That’s four plants per residence, FYI, not per person.”

So all of the independent, illegal dispensaries that are currently operating will be shut down?

“This one is hard to predict. For a while now, the government has been targeting these dispensaries and shutting them down. My feeling is that they’ll just continue operating the way they always have—getting shut down and then just re-opening.”

For the person who is intrigued and wants to dip their toe in the cannabis world, what’s the best place to start?

“Do as much reading as you can, listen to some podcasts, visit a website like Leafly [a cannabis information and education resource]. Get to know the people behind the articles and podcasts and see if anything they’re saying resonates with you. When you’re ready to actually dip in, go with something not too strong containing THC. Start with a single puff the very first time, or maybe try a CBD edible—that’s a nice way to ease into it.”

Wait—what are THC and CBD?

“Cannabinoids are the chemical components in cannabis and THC and CBD are just two of them. Research says there’s more than a hundred right now. CBD is non-intoxicating and THC tends to produce those ‘high’ feelings. Often CBD gets praised as the ‘good’ medicine and THC is seen negatively, but I really want to shy away from any type of rhetoric like that. The best is to get a balance of both.”

Can you mix alcohol and marijuana?

“For newbies, no. Drinking will amplify and accentuate everything, double, triple it.”

Will you always get the munchies?

“It depends on the strain and the cannabinoid profile. If I’m smoking high CBD strains, they’re not really getting me hungry. Some strains can make you so focused and go-go-go that you can forget to eat.”

What is the deal with “strains” anyway?

“I would compare it to how different wines have different grapes, thereby different tastes and feelings and effects. When you’re having a fancy night out, you might drink champagne. Maybe you have heard of Maui Wowie or Purple Kush? Those are different types of strains. THC and CBD and other cannabinoids percentages also will affect the way the cannabis makes you feel, as well as where and how it was grown, the quality of the seeds, or how it’s been stored. For example, that old dried up pot you have had in your sock drawer forever? That will help you fall asleep quicker than fresh cannabis. The Leafly app is a great resource to learn more about specific strains and how they may effect your experience with their “Strain Explorer” and vast review database.”

Who is your typical user in 2018?

“Old people. In legal states, the number one new consumers of cannabis, and one of the highest demographics of cannabis consumers, are 65 plus.”

Are these just aging hippies reclaiming their youth or…

“What we have to realize is that most cannabis users are people trying to find holistic health options for themselves. They want alternative options that are harm reductive and can be used daily in different modes and different methods to pinpoint different things. Now, there are still people smoking a doobie just to get baked, and there’s nothing wrong with that. To a certain extent, that’s medicinal. Relaxation and fun have therapeutic elements too!”

What kinds of health concerns are people using marijuana to treat? We’ve heard everything from anxiety to arthritis.

“Anxiety, arthritis, asthma. My partner uses it to treat his eczema, as an anti-inflammatory and to help with pain management. Cannabis is holistic, so you can use it a variety of different ways. He’ll smoke it if the eczema is really flaring up and he’s trying not to itch, and he’ll use a topical for everyday. I use it for my stomach and PMS symptoms. Migraines are huge. There’s a group on social media called Migraine Buds who exchange all kinds of information about what works for them.”

There are lots of people who may have smoked weed occasionally in their youth and haven’t really had much experience with it since then. What would you like them to know?

“It’s not just smoking anymore. You can do a bath salt with coconut oil that’s going to help with inflammation on your skin and just give you a nice relaxed feeling, similar to using a lavender oil. There’s vaporizing which only heats up the plant material to a certain level so that the THC is released. The plant matter isn’t burnt, so that’s a little better for you than smoking. There’s dabbing, which is heating up a hot nail and putting a concentrate on it so it ignites very quickly and you get a strong dense hit. It’s very efficient.”

Edibles? Topicals? Are these doing different things to you than just smoking a joint?

“Edibles will get you more of a ‘body’ stone because it hits those cannabinoid receptors in your body a lot. I always warn people you’ve got to go very low and slow. The biggest potheads get scared off of edibles. If it doesn’t affect you immediately, don’t just keep eating. Give yourself some time because it can hit you an hour or two later.”

We’ve heard of cannabis being used in skincare. Does this mean your body lotion is going to get you stoned?

“A topical will not make you high because it doesn’t go through the membrane and enter into your skin.”

Can you use marijuana and still be a functioning member of society?

“I use cannabis everyday. I have for 10 years. My parents are proud of me, my bosses are proud of my work, I’m not a procrastinator, I’m not the late one in the group. Using cannabis doesn’t mean you’re getting high everyday. For me it’s like vitamin C. I need to supplement it for myself and some days I need less, some days my conditions do take me out and I need a lot of THC and just sit on the couch and take the day off.”

It’s important to note that this legislation opens up recreational marijuana use in Canada, but there are still rules. You still can’t, for example, cross the border with weed, even if you’re travelling to a state where marijuana is also legal. You can’t smoke in the workplace or a car or any public space. You can smoke it in your house and backyard or condo and balcony if you live in an apartment. And you can’t legally buy or consume marijuana if you’re under 19.

Illustration by Madison van Rijn

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