# What can I buy in Canada but not the US? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 8, 2003, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-buy-in-canada-but-not-the-us/206183 "2003-10-08T00:01:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2003, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-buy-in-canada-but-not-the-us/206183/81 "2003-10-18T15:03:05Z")
Hey guess what! Aero bars are now in the US. (Well, I’d bought them in MA before in an outlet store, but most people said they’d never seen them for sale here.) They’re now in the speciality isle of my local Shaws supermarket, so you should check your stores too. They’re pricey though $1.50 a bar. ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2003, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-buy-in-canada-but-not-the-us/206183/82 "2003-10-18T17:40:15Z")
Hawkins Cheezies. Mmmm. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2003, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-buy-in-canada-but-not-the-us/206183/83 "2003-10-18T18:27:11Z")
Tylenol with codeine is available over the counter (i.e., you don’t need a prescription although you have to ask the pharmacist for it.) You can get it in bottles of 500 and 200. It’s MUCH more effective for minor pain relief than anything available in the US. I use 'em for the occasional sinus headache, my wife uses them for menstrual cramps. I think you can bring back two bottles with you across the border by car, don’t know about air travel. BTW, these are MUCH lower doses of codeine than oxycodin or vicodin, they’re not considered addictive at all (which is why they’re sold OTC). You don’t have to sweat becoming a Rush Limbaugh style junkie with them. In the U.S. they’re considered a schedule 3 drug, which means they’re restricted for as long as the big drug companies think they can make big bucks by keeping them that way. OK, what’s pouline? ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2003, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-buy-in-canada-but-not-the-us/206183/84 "2003-10-18T18:52:22Z")
That’s pou **t** ine. It’s fries covered in gravy and cheese. Personally, I don’t like gravy, so it doesn’t work for me. And you’ve all forgotten about Shreddies(it’s a breakfast cereal). ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2003, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-buy-in-canada-but-not-the-us/206183/85 "2003-10-18T18:52:56Z")
Poutine: fries, mozza like cheese curds, beef gravy. Here’s a pic: [http://athleteca.tierranet.com/images/poutine.gif](http://athleteca.tierranet.com/images/poutine.gif) Depending on your taste, it is either the high point or the low point of Quebec cuisine (which in all seriousness, is often wonderful). ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2003, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-buy-in-canada-but-not-the-us/206183/86 "2003-10-18T19:45:56Z")
> [@](#): > > **Evil Captor:** BTW, these are MUCH lower doses of codeine than oxycodin or vicodin, they’re not considered addictive at all (which is why they’re sold OTC). You don’t have to sweat becoming a Rush Limbaugh style junkie with them. What the hell? While codeine isn’t anywhere near as addictive as some of the more powerful opiates, it’s certainly addictive. Addictive as morphine, anyway, since it’s converted into morphine as it’s metabolized. There’s a well-documented withdrawal syndrome. Also, while of course we’d never encourage anyone to abuse pharmaceuticals of any description, it’s troubling to see codeine being compared favourably with oxycontin and vicodin as a recreational drug, since (in Canada, anyway,) the law requires that OTC products containing codeine must also contain at least two other active ingredients, to discourage abuse. Usually this means acetaminophen. So yeah, there’s a reduced concern of becoming a Limbaugh-style junky-- mainly because this eventuality is obviated by the catastrophic liver failure that aspiring codeine addicts succumb to before they manage to get a respectable monkey on their back. Sorry for the hijack, but I find the dissemination of such dangerous misinformation alarming, especially at the SDMB, where it’s so unexpected. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2003, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-buy-in-canada-but-not-the-us/206183/87 "2003-10-18T20:26:28Z")
Bring a book for the wait to cross, both the tunnel and the bridge are horridly slow. There was a tanker-truck crash and resulting fire that closed down the I-94 and I-75 junction, that’s probably what led to part of the holdup **tomndebb** experienced. Any chance you can cross at the Bluewater bridge at Port Huron/Sarnia instead? Poutine, truly. Don’t forget to keep whatever reciepts you can get, then you can play our favorite bridge game “How much cheap duty free liquor can I get with my rebated GST tax?” It’s loads of fun. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2003, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-buy-in-canada-but-not-the-us/206183/88 "2003-10-18T20:50:40Z")
As Cuban cigars are to ordinary cigars, so is Cuban rum to ordinary rum. Try Havana Club - it’s excellent. Of course, bringing it back to the US is as illegal as bringing back Cuban cigars. ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2003, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-buy-in-canada-but-not-the-us/206183/89 "2003-10-18T22:30:27Z")
Mmm Butter Tarts. I second this as a culinary delicacy. I miss my Sleeman’s beer although I’ve found a few substitutes for Canadian chocolate bars. Fast Break=Sidekick 5th Avenue=Crispy Crunch (though the American version tastes off, it’s the same idea). ---
**Author:** ![Ripley2004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ba9def/32.png) [@Ripley2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ripley2004)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2003, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-buy-in-canada-but-not-the-us/206183/90 "2003-10-18T23:00:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Muffin \* > \*\*Poutine: fries, mozza like cheese curds, beef gravy. Here’s a pic: [http://athleteca.tierranet.com/images/poutine.gif](http://athleteca.tierranet.com/images/poutine.gif) > \*\* OMG. Just the sight of poutine makes my arteries scream. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2003, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-buy-in-canada-but-not-the-us/206183/91 "2003-10-18T23:10:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Queen Tonya \* > \*\*Bring a book for the wait to cross, both the tunnel and the bridge are horridly slow. There was a tanker-truck crash and resulting fire that closed down the I-94 and I-75 junction, that’s probably what led to part of the holdup **tomndebb** experienced. Any chance you can cross at the Bluewater bridge at Port Huron/Sarnia instead? > \*\* I guess I could go up that way although it looks like a long ways out of the way. Is border crossing slow going both ways? ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2003, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-buy-in-canada-but-not-the-us/206183/92 "2003-10-19T00:56:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Larry Mudd \* > \*\*What the hell? While codeine isn’t anywhere near as addictive as some of the more powerful opiates, it’s certainly addictive. Addictive as morphine, anyway, since it’s converted into morphine as it’s metabolized. There’s a well-documented withdrawal syndrome. \*\* I’m sorry, but you’re wrong. It’s not addictive in the quantities used. It IS sold OTC for that reason. There’s just not enough codeine in it to have an addictive effect. **Also, while of course we’d never encourage anyone to abuse pharmaceuticals of any description, it’s troubling to see codeine being compared favourably with oxycontin and vicodin as a recreational drug, since (in Canada, anyway,)** You need to read my post more carefully. Show me where I advocated recreational use. You don’t get any kind of high from the things. They just relieve pain. Minor pain. That’s what they’re good at, but I’ve never noticed any kind of buzz from them, any more than from tylenol without codeine. **the law requires that OTC products containing codeine must also contain at least two other active ingredients, to discourage abuse. Usually this means acetaminophen. So yeah, there’s a reduced concern of becoming a Limbaugh-style junky-- mainly because this eventuality is obviated by the catastrophic liver failure that aspiring codeine addicts succumb to before they manage to get a respectable monkey on their back.** You have no idea what you are talking about. You sound more than a little hysterical on the topic. \*\*Sorry for the hijack, but I find the dissemination of such dangerous misinformation alarming, especially at the SDMB, where it’s so unexpected. \*\* [/QUOTE] I suppose some people will get hooked on anything, but we’re not talking about Tylenol #3, which has a much higher amount of codeine that in Canadian OTC tylenol with codeine. I would agree that Tylenol #3 (tylenol with codeine, the prescription drug in the US) poses a danger of addiction when used without medical supervision, but it’s just not the same thing. Really, they’re like aspirin. You use them when you hurt, the pain goes away, you stop. There’s not withdrawal or anything of that nature. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2003, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-buy-in-canada-but-not-the-us/206183/93 "2003-10-19T01:19:12Z")
When it comes to battling the artery clogging effects of poutine addiction (a common affliction), Tylenol with codine is not useful whereas Aspirin is, for Tylenol’s acetaminophen does not help thin the blood the way Aspirin’s acetylsalicylic acid does. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2003, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-buy-in-canada-but-not-the-us/206183/94 "2003-10-19T01:54:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KRM \* > I guess I could go up that way although it looks like a long ways out of the way. Is border crossing slow going both ways? If you’re actually going to be in the city, it’s probably not worth driving to the Bluewater bridge anyway, I-69 is construction hell, too. Hey, just because we’re the _motor city_ doesn’t mean one can expect to drive here. :smack: In my recent experience, it’s much quicker coming back than going, although I break it up with the duty-free stop so that might alter my perception. Not much you can do to make it faster other than avoiding rush hour, naturally, but if you tell me your listening preferences, I can give you the good radio stations. Not a heck of a lot, granted, but since 9-11, crossing sucks. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2003, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-buy-in-canada-but-not-the-us/206183/95 "2003-10-19T01:57:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\*Evil Captor: \*\*You need to read my post more carefully. Show me where I advocated recreational use. You don’t get any kind of high from the things. They just relieve pain. Minor pain. That’s what they’re good at, but I’ve never noticed any kind of buzz from them, any more than from tylenol without codeine. Sorry, my reaction to your post was coloured by the fairly high incidence of tylenol abuse 'round these parts, especially by kids – people will grind up twenty of them at a go and choke 'em down for a codeine buzz, often with predictably disasterous health consequences over time. Just a frame-of-reference thing. Of course, when used as directed as a convenient analgesic, there’s little concern about addiction. It’s quite another thing to say that they’re non-addictive, though. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2003, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-buy-in-canada-but-not-the-us/206183/96 "2003-10-19T05:09:55Z")
In my experience, Canada has the world’s best strippers. But they discourage take-out purchases. Ontario still has Kenny Rodger’s Roasted Chicken franchises at least as of a year ago. They’re no longer in business in New York. But I don’t like the Candian version as well as I did the American version. And one thing you can’t buy in Canada, at least to take back to the US, is beef. I was up there last August and planned on buying some smoked beef but was told it couldn’t be brought into the US. ---
**Author:** ![Mukluk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b77776/32.png) [@Mukluk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mukluk)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2003, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-buy-in-canada-but-not-the-us/206183/97 "2003-10-19T05:47:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Muffin \* > \*\*Poutine: fries, mozza like cheese curds, beef gravy. Here’s a pic: [http://athleteca.tierranet.com/images/poutine.gif](http://athleteca.tierranet.com/images/poutine.gif) > > Depending on your taste, it is either the high point or the low point of Quebec cuisine (which in all seriousness, is often wonderful). \*\* Proper poutine is made with cheese curd _not_ mozzarella, and IMHO curd tastes much better! Unfortunately, mozzarella is usually what you will get in places other than Eastern Ontario (around Ottawa) and in Quebec. ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Macphisto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@Ms\_Macphisto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Macphisto)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2003, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-buy-in-canada-but-not-the-us/206183/98 "2003-10-19T06:37:13Z")
Could be worse, the Pit Pub at UBC makes their poutine with cheddar cheese. Needless to say, I only had that once. Real cheese curd is the only way to go, but sadly very difficult to come by on the west coast. I did find it somewhat amusing that the Pit spells it “pooteen” on the receipt however. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2003, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-buy-in-canada-but-not-the-us/206183/99 "2003-10-19T12:00:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mukluk \* > \*\*Proper poutine is made with cheese curd _not_ mozzarella, and IMHO curd tastes much better! Unfortunately, mozzarella is usually what you will get in places other than Eastern Ontario (around Ottawa) and in Quebec. \*\* Which is why I stated “mozza like cheese curd” rather than mozza. Thing is, a gret many folks have no idea what chese curd tastes like, thus the need for an analogy. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2003, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-buy-in-canada-but-not-the-us/206183/100 "2003-10-19T12:01:58Z")
I would like to by a vowel. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-buy-in-canada-but-not-the-us/206183.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-buy-in-canada-but-not-the-us/206183.md?page=6)