How Trudeau Is (Kind of) Legalizing Pot in Canada

Canada is planning to legalize recreational marijuana, which would make it only the second nation to do so, after Uruguay. Beyond that, it gets complicated. The plans unveiled on April 13 by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government were short on details about what the market might look like, and included onerous new penalties. Rather than celebrating the prospect of legalization in the not-so-distant future, Canada’s pot activists are complaining about the law-and-order campaign against pot use.

The proposed legislation, targeted to take effect by July 2018, would let anyone over 18 buy fresh or dried cannabis, cannabis oils, seeds and plants. Edible products like brownies will be legalized later. Adults can carry and share up to 30 grams in a public place at any time, and grow up to four plants in any residence. Minors won’t be prosecuted if found with under five grams.