Pubdate: Fri, 14 Apr 2017
Source: USA Today (US)
Copyright: 2017 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/625HdBMl
Website: http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/index.htm
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/466
Author: Adam Kovac

BORDER BOTHER: CANADA'S MOVE TO LEGALIZE POT

MONTREAL - The Canadian government announced Thursday new legislation
to legalize marijuana for recreational use, a move that could lure
American visitors but create legal headaches when they return home.

Possession of small amounts of pot will be legal throughout the
country on July 1, 2018, if the legislation passes. The federal
government set the minimum age at 18, but will allow each province to
determine if it should be higher. The provinces also will decide how
the drug will be sold and distributed. Those under 18 found with small
amounts of marijuana would not face criminal charges.

Canada legalized marijuana for some medicinal uses in 2001.

In the United States, voters in California, Massachusetts, Maine and
Nevada decided last year to approve the use of recreational marijuana,
joining Colorado, Oregon, Washington state, Alaska and Washington,
D.C.

James Phillips, CEO of the Canadian/American Border Trade Alliance,
said the Canadian move could cause problems along the border because
marijuana possession is still illegal under U.S. law.
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MAP posted-by: Matt