Oh Cannabis   Play video Decriminalizing pot a hard sell in politics Pot goes legal in Washington State on Thursday Watch what you wish for, warn Canada's drug cops In a legalized world, allowance would have to be made for cops to light up off duty, say watchers Washington cop of the front lines of legalizing pot B.C. pot activists B.C. pot activists What would Canada look like after 10 years of marijuana legalization? Oh Cannabis

VANCOUVER - Sidewalk spats are nothing new to this city's faded Downtown Eastside, and they appear as often as buses.

Outside East Hastings' Vancouver Medicinal Cannabis Dispensary — one of many medical marijuana shops across North America that thrive, not without occasional police raids — owner Dana Larsen ignores a taunting critic.

The passerby is livid after overhearing mention of Washington State — and Colorado — voting in favour of axing criminal penalties for the possession and sale of recreational pot. Pending the U.S. government stepping in — a likely bet — it could lead to marijuana shops as common as Starbucks.