B.C. introduces recreational marijuana legislation for legal age, distribution

VICTORIA – The British Columbia government introduced a trio of bills today outlining how recreational marijuana will be regulated, adding clarity to some rules that have already been made public.

The province will have jurisdiction over wholesale distribution of cannabis and sales will be allowed through both public and private stores to buyers who are at least 19 years old.

Solicitor General Mike Farnworth says a new community safety unit will target illegal sellers.

There will also be a 90-day driving prohibition on drivers found under the influence of drugs, and new drivers in the graduated licensing program would be prohibited from operating a vehicle with any THC in their systems.

The Liquor Distribution Branch, B.C.'s wholesale distributor of non-medical cannabis, is expected to open the first government-operated retail story by late summer and is working on an online sales model.

B.C. is one of the last provinces in Canada to table its recreational marijuana legislation.

"The legislation introduced today provides a sound foundation for the regulation and safe implementation of legalized cannabis in British Columbia," Farnworth said in a statement.

"This marks a major milestone, and puts our province in position to not only be ready for federal cannabis legalization in late summer, but does so in a way that reflects the province's goals for legalized cannabis that prioritize public health and safety, particularly for our children and youth."