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The Trudeau government’s notice that recreational use of marijuana will be legal on July 1, 2018, has created a number of challenges for provincial politicians.

Legalizing the substance is the easy part. More difficult is deciding how the drug will be sold to customers, where retail outlets will be located, where cannabis can be smoked and how police will be able to detect those who have consumed too much pot.

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The NDP government provided a glimpse this week of what legalized pot might mean for Albertans, but it’s waiting for the public to weigh in before it introduces legislation this fall.

One of the most fundamental decisions the NDP must make is whether Alberta should allow marijuana to be sold in private stores — just like alcohol is — or whether the government will operate its own outlets, as Ontario has decided.

Alberta Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley says if privately owned stores are permitted, they would be restricted to selling marijuana. They would not be able to offer alcohol, tobacco or pharmaceuticals to their customers.