*By Carlo Versano*
As Canada celebrates its status as the first G7 nation to allow recreational use of cannabis nationwide, the mission of marijuana advocates is now likely to focus on shifting public perception of marijuana use ... and marijuana users.
Derek Riedle, the publisher of Civilized, a high-end cannabis lifestyle and media brand, spoke to Cheddar on "Day 1" in Montreal, Québec. Riedle, who has long fought for legalization, isn't wasting any time in pivoting to what he believes to be the next issue at hand ー dismantling the stigma around recreational pot use. Cannabis culture is "fundamentally different" from the stereotypes in modern media, he said.
"People enjoy cannabis for all kinds of reasons," he added. But given the pervasive "stoner culture" perceptions, more than half of users remain in what Riedle has termed the "cannabis closet." As a member of the media that shapes those impressions, he sees it as his job to help those users come out.
Canada's legalization efforts, years in the making, culminated on Wednesday as longtime cannabis users and curious first-timers lined up at retail locations across the vast country to be part of what amounts to one of the biggest experiments yet in global drug policy.
"This is something that has never been done before," Riedle said.
He predicted Canada will become a testing ground for the fledgling industry and ground zero for an entirely new industry of innovative companies looking to capture a piece of the market. While public safety and sales issues are sure to come up, "the sky hasn't fallen," as Riedle put it.
"Canada is going to be a shining example."
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/canadians-brace-for-cultural-changes-as-cannabis-becomes-legal).
The big three car companies for GM and Stellantis have agreed to pay striking workers as they spend time on the picket line, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Elon Musk is making a big prediction about artificial intelligence and the jobs market.
Open enrollment season is here and the stress of picking the right plan for you could sometimes get overwhelming. Rosalyn Glenn, financial advisor with Prudential, joined Cheddar News to discuss what to know and understand about selecting your benefits to cover your medical needs and conditions, if any.
Learning about money is a skill that should be learned at an early age. OneMain Financial is now offering a financial course called 'Credit Worthy' across several high schools across the country, along with some scholarships. Doug Shulman, CEO of OneMain Financial, joined Cheddar News to discuss the importance of learning and understanding credit. "Over half of high school students graduate without knowing the basics about credit," Schulman said. "It really helps establish a great foundation to being an independent adult, to have a healthy and happy life, and some financial security is part of that."
Mariah Carey is facing a second lawsuit claiming copyright infringement over her song, "All I Want For Christmas is You."
Apple posted better-than-expected results for the third quarter but continued to report soft revenue. Cheddar News breaks it all down.
Thousands of hospitality workers across 18 casinos in Las Vegas have announced they are set to strike if a new contract agreement is not reached by Friday, November 10.
Mariah Carey, the 'Queen of Christmas,' is teaming up with Victoria's Secret for a new holiday collection.
Stocks jumped Friday after a jobs report showed a higher slowdown in hiring, giving hope to an end in rate hikes.
A new study found greater productivity in companies with a higher gender balance.
