A marijuana plant is seen in Smith's Falls, Ontario, March 19, 2014. REUTERS/Blair Gable

OTTAWA (Reuters) - The Canadian government will introduce on Thursday legislation to legalise marijuana for recreational purposes, a source familiar with the matter said on Monday.

The Liberal government made legalizing recreational marijuana part of its successful 2015 election campaign and had said it would introduce legislation this spring.

The source declined to be identified given the sensitivity of the situation.