Canada on track to legalize recreational pot by July 2018

[webfact]

Canada on track to legalize recreational pot by July 2018

By Leah Schnurr and David Ljunggren

 

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice Bill Blair, the Canadian government's point man on the legalised marijuana file, speaks during a news conference in Ottawa, Ontario,Canada, April 13, 2017. REUTERS/Chris Wattie

 

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada was on track to legalize recreational marijuana by July 2018 after the government put forward legislation on Thursday that will see it regulate production but left the details of how the drug will be sold up to the provinces.

 

Recreational marijuana has been legalized in some U.S. states, including Colorado and Washington, but Canada would be the first Group of Seven country to do so nationally.

 

The ruling Liberal party made legalization part of its successful 2015 election campaign and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has argued that it will keep marijuana out of the hands of underage users and reduce drug-related crime.

 

"Criminal prohibition has failed to protect our kids and communities and we need a new approach," said Bill Blair, the government's point man on the issue and a former police chief.

 

The government said it will provide details on a new licensing fee and tax system in the coming months. Blair said Ottawa was talking to provinces and producers to make sure the sale price will be "appropriate."

 

The provinces will be responsible for overseeing and approving retail sales of cannabis. Authorities have been battling a rise in illegal dispensaries, particularly in British Columbia and Ontario, for over a year.

 

In jurisdictions that do not put a regulated retail framework in place, Canadians would be able to purchase marijuana online. The minimum legal age would be 18, though provinces would be able to raise that.

 

Only cannabis grown by a federally licensed producer will be available for sale, though Canadians could grow up to four plants at home.

 

Packaging would not be allowed to appeal to youth, include endorsements, or associate cannabis with a certain "way of life," according to the legislation. An official panel recommended late last year that the government require plain packaging.

 

While medical marijuana is already legal in Canada, consulting firm Deloitte has estimated annual sales of recreational marijuana could be as high as C$8.7 billion ($6.5 billion).

 

Shares of marijuana producers were trading lower following the announcement, though the stocks have seen a run-up in anticipation of legalization.

 

Canopy Growth Corp <WEED.TO> fell 3.8 percent to C$9.92, though the stock has more than tripled in the last year. OrganiGram Holdings Inc <OGI.V>, which has nearly doubled, fell 9.7 percent to C$2.80.

 

The market action was likely a "sell the news" reaction as the legislation was largely in line with what an official task force recommended last year, said Aaron Salz, founder of Stoic Advisory.

 

The legislation will be reviewed in Parliamentary committees, where alterations could be made. But it is ultimately all but guaranteed to pass, as the Liberals have a majority in the House of Commons.

 

(Reporting by Leah Schnurr and David Ljunggren; Editing by Dan Grebler and Lisa Shumaker)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-04-14

[boomerangutang]

About <deleted> time.  To their credit, Canada has already been more sensible about the US in allowing hemp to be farmed.   Legalizing pot was the logical next step.

 

Now what about Thailand?  I've read two small articles in Bkk papers in the past year hinting that pot may be legalized in Thailand.  However, each article makes clear that, if it was legalized, it would be tightly controlled by one or two very rich families.  Probably the same families which completely control the beer biz here.

 

The best way to legalize pot, from the production end, is to allow anyone to grow the stuff.  Since all governments are totalitarian to some degree, that's anathema to control-freak governments.  In everything they do, they want to continue to channel as much money as possible to people at the top of the pyramid.

[canuckamuck]

Something has to pay for Trudeau's spending spree. Canadians would be well advised to buy stock in companies involved with late night fast food delivery.

[Panda13]

[champers]

A more attractive tourist destination. Happy. Enjoy.

[Tredz]

good joob !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[elgordo38]

8 hours ago, boomerangutang said:

About <deleted> time.  To their credit, Canada has already been more sensible about the US in allowing hemp to be farmed.   Legalizing pot was the logical next step.

 

Now what about Thailand?  I've read two small articles in Bkk papers in the past year hinting that pot may be legalized in Thailand.  However, each article makes clear that, if it was legalized, it would be tightly controlled by one or two very rich families.  Probably the same families which completely control the beer biz here.

 

The best way to legalize pot, from the production end, is to allow anyone to grow the stuff.  Since all governments are totalitarian to some degree, that's anathema to control-freak governments.  In everything they do, they want to continue to channel as much money as possible to people at the top of the pyramid.

Enough said. 

[cruisemonkey]

Canada, my home on Native land. Light up a joint and offer the nearest cop a toke... light up a cigarette and get fined $500.

[Grubster]

12 hours ago, boomerangutang said:

About <deleted> time.  To their credit, Canada has already been more sensible about the US in allowing hemp to be farmed.   Legalizing pot was the logical next step.

 

Now what about Thailand?  I've read two small articles in Bkk papers in the past year hinting that pot may be legalized in Thailand.  However, each article makes clear that, if it was legalized, it would be tightly controlled by one or two very rich families.  Probably the same families which completely control the beer biz here.

 

The best way to legalize pot, from the production end, is to allow anyone to grow the stuff.  Since all governments are totalitarian to some degree, that's anathema to control-freak governments.  In everything they do, they want to continue to channel as much money as possible to people at the top of the pyramid.

Taxes man, lots of taxes.

[Ulic]

I will not be a perfect repeal and legalization as there are too many interested parties both for and against but it will be a step in the right  direction. Pot shops/dispensaries are sill being raided (yesterday in Hamilton Ontario) and owners charged. Seems to be a waste of time and resources but some have jumped the gun. Plenty of speed bumps to come but the end on the war on cannabis is in sight.  

 

[Jingthing]

Congrats to Canada.

Doin' the right thing, yet again.

[Srikcir]

With the US Department of Justice Secretary Sessions' revitalized War on Drugs, I expect he'll go ballistic with Canada approving recreational use of marijuana. Trump might have to build another border wall.

[Jingthing]

6 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

With the US Department of Justice Secretary Sessions' revitalized War on Drugs, I expect he'll go ballistic with Canada approving recreational use of marijuana. Trump might have to build another border wall.

Canada should build it and make the deplorables pay for it. 

[Stargeezr]

Yeah Man,  Come to Canada, and get high on drugs.

  Maybe that will be the next slogan for tourism in Canada, as even its PM is  all for legal pot.  Mr Green PM is all for this likely because he wants some for him self.

  Actually there are a lot of us Canadians who are worried abot the potheads on the roads already.   Once this stuff is legalized, watch out, as  Canada will be headed for a higher traffic crash and smash situation.  Thanks Mr. Trudeau for making Canada a more dangerous place to drive in.

Geezer