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Canada may legalise cannabis by Canada Day 2018

Legislation is to be put forth in the coming weeks that will see the drug legalised and regulated by July 1 2018, according to reports.
Legislation is to be put forth in the coming weeks that will see the drug legalised and regulated by July 1 2018, according to reports. Legislation is to be put forth in the coming weeks that will see the drug legalised and regulated by July 1 2018, according to reports.

Canada is set to announce legislation to legalise marijuana in the country in 2018, according to reports.

Canada’s Minister of Health Jane Philpott announced the plans last April, with the government’s specially appointed task force on cannabis legalisation and regulation releasing its final report in November.

It’s thought the bill will follow the recommendations set out by the task force – chaired by former liberal justice minister Anne McLellan – and will be put forth in the week commencing April 10, reports CBC News.

Man smoking weed
Man smoking weed
(Yui Mok/PA)

And if the report is accurate, that means cannabis will be legal by Canada Day next year – that’s July 1.

Ottawa will oversee the country’s marijuana supply as well as license producers. However, each individual province will be able to set out rules on the price, distribution and selling regulations itself.

While Ottawa will enforce a minimum age of 18 for purchase, the provinces will have the option to raise the age limit should they wish.

Those who grow their own marijuana will be limited to four plants per household.

Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau
(Chris Jackson/PA)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to legalise cannabis during his election campaign in 2015.