Consumers must be at least 18 years old, and the production, distribution or sale of cannabis products is an offense for minors.
The supply of recreational marijuana could be limited at least early on in some stores.
Officials in Nova Scotia and Manitoba said they won’t have a large selection, at least not on the first day, CNN affiliate CBC News reported.
The Canadian legislation, known as the Cannabis Act, stems from a campaign pledge of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to keep marijuana away from underage users and curb marijuana-related crime.
Some health care professionals in Canada have said they are afraid of the consequences of legalizing marijuana. Stringent rules will still govern the purchase and use of the marijuana.
Marijuana will not be sold in the same location as alcohol or tobacco. Consumers are expected to purchase the drug from retailers regulated by provinces and territories or from federally licensed producers when those options are not available.
Canada’s government also made changes to impaired driving laws to address repercussions for driving under the influence of cannabis.
The pot industry took in nearly $9 billion in sales in 2017 in the United States, according to BDS Analytics. The revenue from those sales is equivalent to the entire snack bar industry.
CNN’s Mary McDougall, Madison Park and Bani Sapra contributed to this report.
Source : Nbcnewyork