China warns Canadian students that marijuana could harm "physical and mental health" despite legalization

The Chinese Consulate in Toronto has warned its students and other citizens residing in Canada of the potentially harmful effects of marijuana, despite the North American country's decision to legalize the pot.

"The consulate wants to remind Chinese citizens of the consular district, especially foreign students, to protect your physical and mental health, avoid contact or use marijuana," said a letter published on the website. official website of the consulate. Morning of South China reported.

The letter included explanations given by legal experts on what the legalization of Canada meant for Chinese citizens. However, it did not go so far as to prohibit Chinese nationals from legally using cannabis, although this reminded them that giving or selling to minors (under 18 years of age) was illegal, as was transportation. marijuana at customs.

A client shows the marijuana that he bought at a cannabis store in Quebec City on October 17th. China, as in many countries, including the US federal government, prohibits the consumption, sale and cultivation of marijuana.
ALICE CHICHE / AFP / Getty Images

China, like many countries, including the US federal government, prohibits the consumption, sale and cultivation of marijuana. according to South China Morning Post, Some Chinese residents in Canada have expressed concerns about Ottawa's decision to legalize marijuana. "You will never imagine how many lives of Chinese people will be ruined by legalization!" Said an article.

This warning came after a harsher warning from South Korea last week in which the country warned its citizens that they could be sued if they used marijuana legally in Canada.

Yoon Se-jin, head of the Drug Investigation Division at Gyeonggi Provincial Police Nambu, told potential Korean consumers: "Cannabis smokers will be punished in accordance with Korean law, even if they are Have done in countries where smoking marijuana is legal. There will be no exception. "

South Korean law is applicable to all citizens, at home or abroad, allowing the government to sue people who use drugs abroad. The East Asian nation enforces strict anti-drug laws, and the authorities are proud to call their country a "drug-free country."

Media gathered on October 16 in a Montreal cannabis store, owned by the SQDC (Quebec Cannabis Society), a day before the legalization of cannabis in Canada on October 17.
MARTIN OUELLET-DIOTTE / AFP / Getty Images

The United States, which still lists marijuana in the list of illicit drugs in Schedule 1 although nine states have legalized it for recreational purposes and more than 30 have legalized it for purposes medicinal products, have also warned Canadians and Canadians that any attempt to introduce cannabis at the border would still be treated harshly. It's true, whether the border is connected to a state where the pot has been legalized, because US borders are managed by federal agents. According to government officials, foreigners entering the United States for marijuana-related cases could also be banned.

Russia also criticized Canada's decision to use recreational marijuana in June as a "violation" of its "international legal obligations".

"We expect Canada's G-7 partners to respond to their" offhandness "as this alliance has repeatedly declared its adherence to the dominance of international law in interstate relations," the ministry said. Russian Foreign Affairs at the time.