Prime Minister announces Oct. 17 as day Cannabis becomes legal in Canada
By Nelson Daily Staff
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Wednesday that recreational marijuana will become legal in Canada on October 17.
The announcement by the Prime Minister came during question period. Trudeau said the delay to the fall date was due to provinces wanting more time to implement the legalization.
“We heard from provinces and territories who told us they needed more time to transition to this new framework, so our government will continue to work in full partnership with them, to ensure the smooth and orderly implementation of this new law across Canada,” Trudeau told reporters during an end-of-session news conference.
The announcement came a day after the Senate passed a “historic” bill allowing recreational marijuana use with a vote of 52-29.
Canada is only the second country in the world — and the first G7 nation — to implement legislation to permit a nationwide marijuana market. In the neighboring US, nine states and the District of Columbia now allow for recreational marijuana use, and 30 allow for medical use.
Uruguay was the first country to legalize marijuana’s production, sale and consumption in December 2013.
Here are 10 things the public needs to know about the Cannabis in Canada:
- Cannabis for non-medical purposes is not yet legal, so adults can’t buy it legally until the Act comes into force.
- Cannabis won’t be legal for everyone. You will have to be of legal age, which is 18 or 19 years of age, depending on your province or territory.
- Get informed about where you will be able to legally buy or use cannabis in your province or territory.
- Learn how to recognize legal cannabis. Look for plain packaging, the standardized cannabis symbol, health warning messages on labels, and the cannabis excise stamp.
- Make sure you store cannabis securely and away from children.
- If you plan to use cannabis once it is available for legal purchase, learn how to use it safely and know the health effects. Like alcohol and tobacco, cannabis is not without risks, especially for those under the age of 25.
- Don’t travel internationally with cannabis. It will remain illegal to take cannabis across the Canadian border—just like it is today—whether you’re leaving or entering Canada.
- Don’t drive or work high. As with alcohol, driving while impaired by cannabis is illegal. It can harm your ability to drive. It can also affect your ability to operate equipment safely.
- Under the Cannabis Act, access to cannabis for medical purposes will continue for those who have the authorization of their healthcare practitioner.
- If you have any other questions, get the facts at Canada.ca/Cannabis, the Government of Canada’s hub for cannabis information.
Source: Government of Canada Website
