Canada is misunderstood. When I talk about traveling to the northernmost state in the USA people assume that I am traveling to some spectacular Mecca of Cannabis, the Amsterdam of the West. It's commonly assumed in the US that pot is legal in Canada, or at least decriminalized to the point of being legal-like. While the penalties for posession and consumption are usually minimal, it's still quite  illegal in Canada to possess Marijuana unless you have a medical marijuana card.

The medical marijuana laws permit persons to obtain cannabis in one of three ways: Grow it, Have someone you know grow it, or buy it from a provincially approved facility. If the government were approving these applications for providers it probably would be a lot like a functional system. Because there is a very limited supply line and quality has been an issue, many patients are being required to find their medicine at the street corner pharmacy, essentially, forcing people with legitimate legal right to purchase and consume a product to break the law. I know, it's government, right?

That said, there is a level of tolerance for smoking cannabis in some Canadian cities which borders on decriminalization. I've been spending some time in Toronto, Ontario recently and I've had occasion to see for myself how things are in this neck of the woods. I'll be touring some local spots and checking out the scenery, from THC on Yonge with it's Vapor Central lounge, to wherever it takes me really. I've got a classy broad along and we're going to try some of the most fantastic ethnic food in this hemisphere, from the best Gyros in Greek Town to the best curry. And we're going to do it with all of the class, dignity, and decorum that our ravenous munchies will allow.

We're also going to feature some amazing dishes from a local Food and Drink magazine, and then to top it off we're going on a road trip, from Toronto to the Edge of the Universe. This is going to be a fantastic summer,and there will be pictures of cats. Invisible cats being adorable. Doing cute and silly things. There might even be captions.

So come to Canada for the beer, come for the polite conversation. And the food.

Never forget the food. And check out the Magazine while you're sitting there.