The Federal Liberals say you’ll be able to legally light up this time next year.
Canada’s Health Minister, the Honourable Jane Philpott, said marijuana will be legalized in spring 2017, and the legislation will ensure “(the government keeps) marijuana out of the hands of children and profits out of the hands of criminals.”
The announcement was made at a United Nations global drug treaty review in New York on Wednesday, April 20th (or “420,” the unofficial international day celebrating cannabis).
“While this plan challenges the status quo in many countries, we are convinced it is the best way to protect our youth while enhancing public safety,” she adds.
In a recent report, the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse notes over 22% of Canadians between 15 and 19 got high in 2013.
Legalization will also reduce the number of Canadians going to jail. Stats Canada says Police arrested over 57,000 Canadians for pot possession in 2014 alone.
It could also mean big bucks. A Simon Fraser University report says legalizing marijuana could bring in 500 million dollars to BC annually in tax and licensing revenues.
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