Public use of medical cannabis soon legal in Ontario

Instead of taking two aspirin, residents of Ontario, Canada, will soon be able to smoke a joint or pull on their vaporizer, wherever they are, and if they have a medical cannabis prescription.

Patients treated with medical marijuana, In Ontario, smoking and vaping are prohibited in most public places, as explained by Dipika Damerla, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, last Wednesday.

«The law allows this exception because patients need it for medical reasons. It's a question of negotiation, of balancing rights,» she says.

But the law will also allow those in charge of places where the exception takes place not to accept it. «As an employee or owner, you will be able to not accept vaping or the consumption of medical cannabis.» said Dipika Damerla.

The exception also does not apply to establishments serving alcohol. We might be concerned to see people smoking cannabis near children, for example in parks. But parks will also be able to legislate against cannabis consumption.

The law finally places responsibility for accepting medical cannabis smokers/vapers in the hands of municipalities and private individuals. This is a first among Canada's 10 states and 3 federal territories, and one that will no doubt be emulated as Justin Trudeau moves ahead on the legalizing cannabis in Canada.