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Facts suggest that this excitement is unjustified. Now, more and more people have been asking for decriminalization of possession of marijuana, like former PM Jean Chrétien, because, “it’s the modern thing to do.” Yet Trudeau doesn’t give in; decriminalization is not the solution. And with recent raids on Toronto pot dispensaries, we know that municipalities agree with him and are willing to support him, for now.

Despite the best hopes of pot activists, chances are that laws on the matter will remain strict. First of all, large corporations who have already invested millions to fulfil MMPR requirements are actively lobbying for similar rules, quality tests and security measures be imposed on recreational marijuana’s production. But also, there has been two main concerns raised by the Trudeau administration, by many other politicians, by interest groups and by experts involved: preventing access by minors and ensuring the quality of products.

We don’t yet know what this means, because of “separation of powers” issues that it entails: some have been arguing for a freer production and selling market, some have been asking for a framework similar to the MMPR, some have been in favour of provincial Crown corporations like the LCBO in Ontario, the BCLDB in B.C. or the SAQ in Québec selling pot, some think highly regulated dispensaries and pharmacies might be a favourable option. The federal government also has a Constitution to abide by and needs to act between the lines of the criminal power over which it has control, making sure not to make the legislation too much about the “property and civil rights’’ and “local or private matters’’ that are provincial prerogatives.