Tuesday March 28, 2017
Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday March 28, 2017
Trudeau government to legalize marijuana by Canada Day 2018: reports
The Liberal government plans to announce legislation next month that will legalize recreational marijuana use nationally by Canada Day 2018, CBC News reported Sunday night.
The report, aired first on CBC’s flagship TV show, The National, said the government plans to introduce the legislation the week of April 10.
Another report, however, indicated the bill would be introduced on April 20, or 4/20, a symbolic date for marijuana users.
According to the CBC report, Ottawa will secure the country’s marijuana supply and license producers. The national age limit to purchase the drug will be set at 18, but provinces will be able to set it higher.
Provinces will also control price, along with how marijuana is bought and sold.
Also, Canadians who wish to grow their own marijuana would be limited to four plants per household.
The new rules generally follow the recommendations of a federal task force chaired by Anne McLellan, a former justice minister. The task force delivered a 106-page report in December with 80 recommendations.
Bill Blair, the former Toronto police chief who, as a Liberal MP, was Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s point person on the issue, briefed the Liberal caucus on the roll-out plan and planned legislation during meetings this weekend, CBC said. (Source: Toronto Star)