The true north stoned and free

According to a study done by the United Nations, Canadians smoke more pot than just about every other country in the world. Yes, even more than Jamaica. (Okay, it wasn't based on total amount smoked... just the percentage of the population who admit to having smoked pot in the past year.)

What's up with that, dude? I have to say, our top ranking here surprises me a little and makes me believe one of the possible theories put forward in the article I read -- that Canadians are just more honest about answering the question.

This makes some sense to me... First, Canadians aren't as afraid of their government as Americans (based on my observations) sometimes seem to be. So, people (paranoid from all their pot smoking) wouldn't be afraid that if they tell the pollster the truth, that cops will suddenly break down their door and snatch their stash. Related to this theory, I think in the past few years, not only has the stigma about pot virtually disappeared in Canada, I'd be willing to bet that more people lied and said they did smoke pot in the last year when they didn't, than the other way around.

Not that pot is legal here. There was a law introduced five or so years ago to decriminalize possession -- such that possession of small amounts would get you a ticket, but not arrested or a criminal record -- but the government changed before the law was passed, so it's still a criminal offense. Although it does seem like the cops take a much more blase attitude toward it the past ten years or so.

Me? I've never been a pot smoker. Not that I never have, it's just never been my thing. (I'm more of a gin girl. Okay, and scotch.) I've even been in relationships with men who smoked just about every day... and still, I didn't.

But I feel kind of proud (in a very bizarre way) that Canada made the top five. The only countries in the world that smoke more than we do are Papua New Guinea, Micronesia, Ghana and Zambia.

Go Canada! Party on!