No weed for South Koreans, not even in Canada
On October 17, the recreational use of marijuana in Canada will become legal, thereby allowing Canadian residents, as well as tourists to Canada, to light up if they're into smoking pot. However, South Korea is having none of that, and has issued a strict warning to its citizens to not smoke pot, even while in Canada. Here are the details.
The Korea Customs Service's warning to South Koreans
"It will still be illegal for Koreans to smoke marijuana in Canada or anywhere else. Koreans who return here after using the drug could face criminal charges. We will strengthen inspections of people who come from Canada," said the Korea Customs Service in a statement.
It's unclear how South Korea plans to monitor its citizens
As of now, it's not clear as to how South Korean authorities plan to monitor its citizens throughout Canada. Neither is it clear how they plan to prosecute South Koreans for doing something that is perfectly legal in Canada. However, reportedly, the Korea Customs Service, in anticipation of weed smuggling, plans to step up inspections of passengers and luggage coming in from Canada.
Why authorities are so nervous about Canada legalizing weed
Since California began legally selling pot in January, the Korea Customs Service have seized over 18kgs of pot, up a whopping 365% compared to last year. With thousands of South Korean tourists visiting Canada annually, and pot set to become legal, authorities are understandably nervous.
Pot and South Korea have had an adversarial relationship
Historically, South Korea has been strongly opposed to the recreational use of marijuana. While pot usage saw a spike during the 1960s owing to the hippie culture, cannabis was banned some years later after the Cannabis Control Act, 1976 was passed. Currently, buying or selling marijuana in South Korea can result in five years of imprisonment, and fines going up to $48,000!
