The legalization of recreational marijuana in Canada is less than one month away!
Once that October 17th deadline arrives, an entire new legal code will immediately come into effect.
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It's up to the individual provinces to regulate both the distribution and consumption of the newly legal drug.
In Quebec, the new marijuana laws are perhaps the most severe. The penalities for driving high are the most unforgiving in the country.
Moreover, the provincial government will maintain a complete monopoly of marijuana sales through the new Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC).
Any sale of marijuana outside of these stores will be completely illegal.
It is for this reason that Sûreté du Québec, the provincial police force, announced today the creation of a new squad to crack down on illegal marijuana products and sales.
It seems provincial law enforcement will be tougher on illegal marijuana consumption than it ever has been.
The new squad will include dozens of police officers whose mission will be to identify marijuana sales outside of provincial regulation.
Quebec is intent on securing its dominance of marijuana sales.
In some ways, it may become more difficult for marijuana users to consume the drug after legalization.
Prices in the SQDC will be markedly higher than street values because of taxes and added labour value.
There are now also restrictions on where users can smoke marijuana.
Whereas before the police might have turned the other way when they come across a person casually smoking a joint on a quiet street, now law enforcement has protocols to enforce new regulations.
Legalization is definitely going to require an adjustment period.