Under a new law that comes into effect on October 17, 2018, Canadians over the age of 18 will be able to buy and consume marijuana legally. Bill C-45 overturns close to a century of prohibition and is a transformative policy measure without precedent. Uruguay, nine US states, as well as the District of Columbia, have legalized marijuana for recreational use, but Canada will become the first federation, and the first G7 country, to do so at a national level.
Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government first pledged to legalize marijuana in their 2015 election platform, framing their approach along the lines of harm reduction, youth protection and countering the negative effects of over-criminalization for drug-related offences.
