Less than 24 hours after cannabis became legal in Canada, the federal government announced that it had made so much money in tax revenue from the sale of legal weed that it was able to pay off the country's entire $650 billion debt .

“I told you,” commented Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, looking decidedly less handsome than usual with his bloodshot eyes. "It is extraordinary! One day you're swamped with debt and the next day it's vanished into thin air. It's just one more thing that makes Canada the great country it is!”

Millions of Canadian stoners lined up at their local marijuana shop to buy weed legally and pay taxes for the first time.

“It's like the sixties are back! But this time the Government likes us!” said an Ottawa man who bought three brownies and a half-dozen joints. “Who would have thought that getting high would have such a positive impact on the Canadian economy! It's better than the tar sands!”

The Canadian government was quick to report the financial benefits of the new legislation.

“We were down to $300 billion as of 10 a.m.,” Finance Secretary Bill Morneau said. “Sales were steady all day and by early evening our ten-year debt was completely gone. Thank you cannabis! ”

The debt reduction strategy has been praised by experts as an economic miracle , although some suspect that the Finance Minister was stoned when he drew up the calculations.