Years ago, when Justin Trudeau stepped onto a platform in a Vancouver park and proclaimed through a cloud of sweet-smelling haze that a federal Liberal government would legalize marijuana, there was much excitement within the cannabis community.

With last week's announcement by Trudeau's provincial Liberal cousins, the realities of draconian regulation in Ontario have resulted in the crushing disappointment of those long-forgotten high hopes.

For recreational users, smoking will only be permitted in private residences. Puffing at work, on university campuses, on patios, sidewalks or parks, will all remain prohibited.

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For a government that promised to legislate using evidence-based science, the rapid approach of legalized marijuana in Canada is starting to look like a case study in blind faith.

Last week, federal justice officials issued the next round of details in their impending pot law.

In addition to existing impaired-by-drug laws that police are already using to prosecute drugged drivers, three new criminal offences are destined to be born to deal with pot-impaired driving all based on the quantity of THC found in a person's body.

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For a government that promised to legislate using evidence-based science, the rapid approach of legalized marijuana in Canada is starting to look like a case study in blind faith.

Last week, federal justice officials issued the next round of details in their impending pot law. In addition to existing impaired-by-drug laws that police are already using to prosecute drugged drivers, three new criminal offences are destined to be born to deal with pot-impaired driving all based on the quantity of THC found in a person's body.

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