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TORONTO (Reuters) – Canada's decision to legalize marijuana for recreation this week should not immediately trigger a flood of potted food tourism, as tour operators and consumers are unsure of the rules governing the new industry.
PHOTO FILE: A sign warning travelers to cross international borders with cannabis is seen at the Ottawa International Airport in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, October 15, 2018. REUTERS / Chris Wattie / File Photo
Canada has precedents to follow in California, Colorado and elsewhere. But observers have pointed out that these American states offering legal marijuana for legal purposes could put a damper on Canada's travel aspirations: Why go to Canada when you can legally smoke in two or three states?
On Wednesday, Canada became the first major industrialized country to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes, generating huge demand. But tourism professionals respect the legalization with more precaution than promotion.
"The tourist is really at the mercy of a radically changing landscape," said Neev Tapiero, who gently launched his company, the Canadian company Kush Tours, a few months ago. "There are still other bugs to solve."
The landscape changed on Wednesday with legalization. This will change again in six months when Ontario, Canada's most populous province, will allow private storefronts, and again in several months if edible pan products become legal, he said.
Tapiero said he wanted government tourism agencies to be more proactive in informing potential tourists about what is legal and not legal.
Denelle Balfour, a spokesperson for the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, said a public awareness campaign was directing people to an information site.
"We have only received a few calls" from tourists seeking legalism, said Gordon Orr, Executive Director of Tourism Windsor Essex. "One was where do we find it?"
Some tour operators are reluctant to highlight this fledgling industry.
"We do not use it as a promotional tool," said Christian Wolters, General Manager of Tour Radar in North America. "If someone specifically asks questions, we indicate that it is legal … but they must be careful whenever they return to their country."
Aaron Bowker, US Customs and Border Protection Spokesperson, had a tough message to send to future visitors.
"I have been telling people for months: if you travel to Canada to use marijuana for recreational purposes and you are a US citizen, you are guaranteed to enter the United States. However … do not bring him back.
On Wednesday, new posters were placed at Canada's bus terminals aimed at a specific demographic: cannabis lovers.
The Greyhound Bus Organizer's poster tells passengers where to pack the drug, where to smoke it, and most importantly, what to do if they cross the border – leave it behind.
Ryan McConnell, senior vice president of Kantar Consulting, a company that recently conducted a "curious cannabis" survey, said Ryan McConnell.
"You will find people who think everything is legal, everything is legal. This is simply not the case.
Reportage of Anna Mehler Paperny; Edited by Bill Berkrot
