OTTAWA (Reuters) — Recreational marijuana in Canada will only go on sale a few months after it is legalized because the new retail system needs time to start working properly, according to Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor.
The Liberal government says the new law must be in place by July 1 this year, which would make Canada the first Group of Seven country to adopt such a policy. Some of the provinces, which are responsible for actually selling marijuana, complain they do not have enough time.
“They told us they need eight to 12 weeks following (adoption of the law) for preparatory activities to occur, such as preparatory movement of product from licensed producers to distribution and retail outlets,” Petitpas Taylor told the Senate upper chamber.
