Legalized pot is still part of the plan, the Liberals reaffirmed in Friday’s speech from the throne.
“The Government will introduce legislation that will provide greater support for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault; that will get handguns and assault weapons off our streets; and that will legalize, regulate and restrict access to marijuana,” Gov. Gen. David Johnston said in the speech.
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It was a brief mention – six words out of 1681. But Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s indicating he intends to make good on a high-profile campaign pledge, even though the Liberals’ campaign platform this fall didn’t include any details on how pot would be regulated, how much it would be taxed or how revenue from that tax would factor into the government’s budget plans.
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Canadian courts have upheld Canadians’ right to use medicinal marijuana in dried and edible forms if they don’t want to smoke it. They can also grow their own plants at home.
Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould’s mandate letter instructs her to work with the ministers of health and public safety to “create a federal-provincial-territorial process that will lead to the legalization and regulation of marijuana.”
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