Liberal Government Introduces Marijuana Legalization Bills

It could soon be greener pastures for Canadians who have been suggesting for years that recreational marijuana usage should be legalized across the country.

Today in the House of Commons, Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale, Health Minister Jane Philpott and Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland introduced a collection of bills designed to legalize recreational marijuana usage in Canada.

According to a media release received by Huffington Post Canada, the government aims to establish a “strict legal framework” with regards to how marijuana is produced, sold, distributed and possessed in Canada.

For instance, selling pot to anyone under the age of 18 would be a criminal offence. What’s more, a “zero-tolerance approach” will be taken when it comes to dealing with drug-impaired driving. With regards to the latter, the government will work toward creating a sizeable public awareness campaign regarding the dangers of impaired driving.

Through the proposed legislation, the Liberals have also committed to investing in licensing, inspection and enforcement challenges.

As the Toronto Star reports, the Liberal government would like provinces to work with their municipalities in order to determine price control regulation, as well as methods of sale and distribution for marijuana.

Strict controls will also be in place for how marijuana is packaged for sale and how much an individual can possess at one time. Thus far, the proposal is for 30 grams (just over an ounce). Growers, meanwhile, can have up to four plants in their homes at a given time.

Now, we wait and see just how the rest of the House, as well as the general public respond to these bills.

Recently, “theZoomer” tackled the issue of marijuana legalized in Canada head-on. Click here to watch that episode.

-Adam Grant