Canada’s new government has promised to legalize marijuana in 2017, but until that happens, you can still get charged for possession, producing or selling marijuana. All these activities are currently illegal and possible penalties, if convicted, range from a small fine to getting a criminal record. The case’s outcome depends on whether you have previous convictions, as well as on specific circumstances under which the incident happened: the amount of marijuana found in your possession, whether you were driving under the influence, and in addition to other case-specific factors. Repeat offenders may be subject to more serious consequences and such charges should definitely be taken seriously, as the sentences can be rigorous. Getting a good criminal lawyer is necessary to ensure that your rights under the law are fully represented. In the meantime, inform yourself with these marijuana laws in Canada based on the examples from other countries where marijuana has been partially legalized.

Even if cannabis gets legalized, as expected, some activities might still present a criminal offence. Nobody expects that smoking weed freely and anywhere will be the new standard– rather, even though it will be legalized, it is likely to be highly regulated. We could expect regulations to be just as stringent with cannabis edibles, as well. Marijuana offences will still exist, but in a different form. Also, keep in mind that marijuana Canada laws are constantly evolving. They are continually being updated to ensure that the best practices for creating and implementing drug policies are in place. Thus, the laws that are enforced today may be changed over time.

That being said, let’s see what the possible legislation changes may bring by looking at three places where this substance has been partially legalized.

Where is smoking marijuana allowed?