The Approach of All Provinces Towards Marijuana Legalization in Canada
On July 1st 2018, recreational marijuana will be legalized all across Canada.
This will be a day to remember for a large number of Canadians.
With a majority of the provinces and territories throughout Canada outlining their plans for marijuana legalization in Canada after countless discussions, meetings, and surveys, we’ve broken down the plans for each province and territory in Canada so you know how marijuana legalization will affect you.
British Columbia
In British Columbia, one must be at least 19 years old to purchase and use recreational marijuana.
Both private and public retail outlets would carry out legal sales of weed. It is still yet to be determined how the retail model for British Columbia will play out in the west-coast province.
However, the retailers in the province can only purchase their cannabis supply from a branch of the existing wholesale distribution system of alcohol, the British Columbia Liquor Distribution Branch (BCLDB).
Alberta
The provincial government of Alberta has different plans for marijuana legislation in Canada.
Legal age in Alberta will be similar to alcohol at age 18.
Private and public retail will take care of the over-the-counter sales, but the government will control the online sales of cannabis.
The procedure of the sales is still being worked out. The provincial government has made it clear that the stores selling weed must be physically separate from those who sell pharmaceuticals, tobacco, and alcohol.
Use of marijuana will be permitted in private spaces and in public, following the same rules as tobacco.
Saskatchewan
The minimum age for purchase and consumption of legal marijuana in Saskatchewan has not yet been decided.
The Saskatchewan provincial government has issued sixty retail permits to private operators in First Nations communities and forty municipalities.
The provincial regulatory authority is the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority. It regulates the sales of marijuana; however, each municipality has the authority to ban cannabis sales in its area.
Manitoba
While the legal drinking age in Manitoba is 18, the province is planning to set the legal age for marijuana use at 19.
Residents of the province would not be allowed to grow weed at their homes under new marijuana legislation in Canada.
The sale of marijuana will be regulated by the Liquor and Gaming Authority of Manitoba. However, the municipal governments will be given the option to ban sales in their area after conducting referendum.
Ontario
The Government of Ontario has different plans for marijuana legalization in Canada.
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) is going to run 150 stores in the province that will be allowed to sell cannabis.
The buyers must be at least 19 years old, and consumption of marijuana in workplaces or public spaces will be prohibited.
Quebec
In Quebec, the government has passed a bill for the sale of cannabis to be controlled through the provincial liquor board. However, there is some possibility for the private operators to get licensed.
The provincial government plans to open fifteen weed stores by the mid of this year. The province will also control the online sales of the drug once weed is legalized in Canada.
The bill also prohibits residents to cultivate marijuana for commercial or personal use. However, authorized people will be allowed cultivate cannabis in their homes.
The maximum limit of possession of the drug at home is 150 grams. A person would not be allowed to keep more than 30 grams of marijuana on hand.
Quebec’s provincial government has decided to have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to driving under the influence.
New Brunswick
The minimum age for a person to purchase and consume cannabis is 19 years.
New Brunswick will enter the marijuana market itself by having its provincial-controlled liquor board (NB Liquor) set up tightly-controlled retail stores starting in July.
Right now, up to 20 outlets have been planned with tight policies in place, including a certain distance required from schools, only displaying products under glass, and proof of identification required.
Prince Edward Island
The province of Prince Edward Island has also set 19 years as the legal age after marijuana legalization in Canada.
The provincial government will run separate outlets for the sale of cannabis, instead of doing it through their liquor commission.
Online sales of the drug will be allowed, and people could use marijuana only at private residences.
Nova Scotia
The sales of cannabis will be done through the liquor commission in Nova Scotia (NSLC).
Online sales of weeds will be allowed in the province after marijuana legalization in Canada.
The consumers must be at least 19 years old.
The province plans to implement the federal rules about the limit of cultivation and personal possession. A person can possess up to 30 grams of marijuana, and they can cultivate up to four plants per home.
Newfoundland/Labrador
Labrador and Newfoundland plan to allow the sale of weed under the new marijuana legislation in Canada with the legal age for the use of cannabis at 19 years.
The distribution to private retailers is going to be overseen by the Newfoundland & Labrador Liquor Commission.
People will be allowed to consume the drug only at private residences.
Territories
The proposed age for the consumption of the drug is 19 years in the Yukon.
A person would be allowed to possess more than 30 grams of cannabis. Not more than four plants would be allowed per household for cultivation.
In the beginning, only government-controlled retail outlets would control the sales of cannabis.
In the Northwest Territories, the proposed minimum age for consumption and possession is 19. With the same rules as laid out in the federal legislation for up to 30 grams in possession in public and up to 4 plants grown at home, consumers will be allowed to smoke in private places and will be restricted in public places due to second-hand smoke.
Nunavut marijuana legalization is still an ongoing discussion with the community holding consultations this January, although no plans have been set as of yet.
Getting ready for the big day
With July approaching in only a few months, the provinces and territories are working hard to ensure they are prepared for the highly-anticipated legalization of marijuana in Canada.
With what only seems to be minor differences between the provinces and territories, we seem to be seeing similar systems to how alcohol is currently set up.
Time will tell how many, if any, changes will be made to these plans outlined above for each province and territory.
What are your thoughts on the plans outlined above for your province? Leave your comment below to discuss.