World News - January/February 2022

 

Canada Staying Safe

Canada - A study reported in the fall 2021 by the Drug and Alcohol Dependence stated that there was no increase in traffic injuries in Canada due to marijuana legalization. The country freed the weed in 2019.  Ontario and Alberta emergency departments reviewed data from April 2015 to December 2019 and did not find any evidence that marijuana legalization would make roads hazardous.

The article stated, “Implementation of the Cannabis Act was not associated with evidence of significant post-legalization changes in traffic-injury ED visits in Ontario or Alberta among all drivers or youth drivers, in particular.” https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871621005032

Russ Callaghan, a lead author in the study, wrote in a press release that his team’s results “show no evidence that legalization was associated with significant changes in emergency department traffic-injury presentations. It is possible that our results may be due to the deterrent effects of stricter federal legislation, such as Bill C-46, coming into force shortly after cannabis legalization. These new traffic-safety laws imposed more severe penalties for impaired driving due to cannabis, alcohol, and combined cannabis and alcohol use.” https://www.med.ubc.ca/news/study-finds-no-increase-in-traffic-injuries-after-cannabis-legalization/

Jamaica's Ganja

Jamaica - Jamaica is known for the religious group, Rastafari. Britannica defines Rastafari as a “religious and political movement, begun in Jamaica in the 1930s and adopted by many groups around the globe, that combines Protestant Christianity, mysticism, and a pan-African political consciousness.” Jamaica is home to Bob and Ziggy Marley, and the country and Marley family are known for reggae music which derived from the Rastafarian movement. Ganja is Hindi for cannabis, and is the term mostly used in Jamaica.

Ganja is a part of the Rastafarian religious practices. Britannica states about the Rastafari rituals, “Religious rituals include prayer services, the smoking of ganja (marijuana) to achieve better “itation” (meditation) with Jah, and “bingis” (all-night drumming ceremonies).”  The Dangerous Drug Act was passed in 2015 on Bob Marley’s Birthday, February 6th. The law makes any possession under 2 ounces only a ticketed offense and allows any Rastafarian person to grow marijuana on designated lands. The amendment also permits the use of ganja for religious, medical, and scientific and therapeutic reasons.  

Jamaica has a strained relationship with the legalities of marijuana. Recreational weed is illegal in the country today; however, medical marijuana is legal, and the law states residents can have 5 plants for personal use. Recent reports are being written about the strain of the law and lack of marijuana available to Rastafarians, as well as for medical patients. One report read the cost of medical marijuana is five times more than what could be bought not in a licensed facility.

Will Malta Legalize First?

Malta - Who will be the first in Europe to free the weed? So far Luxembourg and Germany are in a close race to legalize pot. Reports in December revealed the country of Malta is now in the race and may beat all countries to become the first country to legalize. Malta’s President, George Vella, is reported that he will sign to free the weed.

Malta is an island country below Italy. The parliament voted in mid-December 2021 to legalize marijuana. It is expected to be signed into law, and quickly. The law will allow residents 18 years and older to have 7 grams of pot and have 4 plants.

Marijuana Moment reported about the Malta legalization that, “Cannabis clubs that would be authorized under the bill could have as many as 500 members and would be limited to distributing seven grams per day to each member, with a maximum of 50 grams per month. They could also distribute up to 20 cannabis seeds per member each month.” https://www.marijuanamoment.net/malta-lawmakers-approve-marijuana-legalization-bill-with-presidents-signature-expected-soon/

Germany is on the Bus

Germany - If you want to ride the public transit in Germany and have some chill time, consider eating the tickets. What? That is right. The tickets are edible and not only will give you a ride to your destination, but a chill out as well, because the edible paper tickets are hemp based. The tickets are only valid for 24 hours and are being sold for $11.73 U.S. dollars.

Germany is so close to legalizing pot, and they are in a close race with Luxembourg and Malta. Whether the tickets are a promotion to the legalization for the country or not, the idea is mouthwatering and chill out wanting, and with all the negatives that surrounds us, some fun and interest added to daily living is exuberating.

To watch a YouTube video about the edible transit ticket in German visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFL7VVCPdnk