Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who said he would work toward legalizing marijuana in the country during his campaign, possibly saw his popularity get higher Thursday when he introduced legislation legalizing the recreational use of cannabis in the country.
The legislation would set the minimum legal age for use and purchase at 18, though provinces would be able to raise the age.
Bill Blair, a member of parliament and former Toronto police chief who has led the government's marijuana reform process, said that the government consulted extensively with officials in Colorado and Washington.
"We want to make sure that we are protecting the vulnerable and the youth, that we are promoting public health and road safety and that we are focusing on prevention and harm reduction", Naqvi said.
The federal government is also waiting on the result of a pilot project that's been underway in a number of Canadian cities, exploring new technology for a more effective roadside test for enforcing impaired-driving rules.
Under the proposed law, an adult will be able to possess up to 30 grams of dried cannabis (roughly enough for 50 "joints" or rolled marijuana cigarettes) in public, and grow four cannabis plants at home for personal consumption which do not exceed one meter in height.
Trafficking outside the new regime would continue to be illegal and punishable by up to 14 years in prison, as would selling cannabis to youths, driving under its influence, and importing or exporting pot.
Its legalization and regulation would follow in 2018, in time for Canada's national day on July 1.
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He stressed that until the legislation is passed, recreational marijuana remains illegal across Canada - a point underscored in recent months by a series of police raids on marijuana dispensaries across the country. Permits may be issued for certain purposes, such as medical cannabis and industrial hemp.
It noted that in the handful of USA states where recreational marijuana use is legal, the minimum age was set at 21, in line with alcohol consumption. Marijuana, of course, is still federally illegal under USA law.
Health Minister Jane Philpott says criminalizing cannabis has not deterred use among young people, noting products like alcohol and tobacco are legally available with restrictions. Government needs to ensure that legislation is inclusive and allows small craft cannabis producers and retailers to participate in the regulated market.
The legislation would prohibit marketing aimed at young people and would ban sale of cannabis products in vending machines and self-service displays but detailed packaging rules will only be decided after a series of consultations with industry and the public.
"I think the proposal for the age of 18, or 19 in some provinces, to align with the [legal drinking age] across the country, is a reasonable compromise", Mr Trudeau said last December.
- At first, sales will entail only fresh and dried cannabis, cannabis oils and seeds and plants for cultivation.
Trudeau said during his campaign that he meant to legalize marijuana, and the government opened up the idea to 60 days of public comment past year.
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