In this April 20, 2016, file photo, people smoke marijuana during a 4/20 cannabis culture rally in Toronto. The Canadian government, which introduced nationwide pot legalization legislation last month and expects to pass it next year, hopes to undercut the underground marijuana market with the lower age limit of 18 and not 21, an untested theory that is being closely watched around this country and in the U.S. (Mark Blinch/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
The most controversial thing about Canada's move to legalize marijuana nationwide may be setting the minimum age for use at 18.
In this April 20, 2016, file photo, people smoke marijuana during a 4/20 cannabis culture rally in Toronto. The Canadian government, which introduced nationwide pot legalization legislation last month and expects to pass it next year, hopes to undercut the underground marijuana market with the lower age limit of 18 and not 21, an untested theory that is being closely watched around this country and in the U.S. (Mark Blinch/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
The most controversial thing about Canada’s move to legalize marijuana nationwide may be setting the minimum age for use at 18. That’s three years lower than in U.S. states that have embraced legalization.
Advocates for the measure say putting the limit at 21 would encourage a black market and drive youths into the hands of criminals.
But health experts are worried that the provision will encourage use of a substance that can have long-term consequences on still-maturing brains.
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