Ottawa, Canada: Liberal Party members introduced legislation late last week to legalize and regulate the possession, use, and sale of cannabis by those age 18 and older. The legislation follows through on a 2015 campaign pledge by the Party, which has promised to regulate the marijuana market by mid-2018.
The proposed measures establish a legal framework for the commercial production and retail sale of herbal cannabis, germinating seeds, immature plants, and cannabis-infused oils. Under the plan, those over the age of 18 may obtain up to 30 grams of cannabis at one time, or home cultivate up to four plants for non-commercial purposes. The measures also grant various regulatory powers to individual provinces and expands police powers to target and prosecute driving under the influence, including the use of oral fluid detection technology and the imposition of per se thresholds for the presence of THC in blood. NORML opposes such limits because the presence of THC is not a consistent indicator of either behavioral impairment or recent cannabis use.
If enacted, Canada would become only the second country to regulate the nationwide production and distribution of cannabis.
For more information, please contact Erik Altieri, NORML Executive Director, or Justin Strekal, NORML Political Director, at (202) 483-5500.