Is Canada ready? Trudeau rolls political dice with cannabis legalization

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada is ready for cannabis legalization as the country prepares to push the green light on recreational use for adults.

Speaking on Parliament Hill, Trudeau says the government has worked for years to prepare for a legalized regime, adding the current approach to cannabis is not protecting young people or communities from organized crime.

Conservative House leader Candice Bergen is not convinced, saying the government rushed legalization.

She points to issues at the Canada-U.S. border and provincial and municipal concerns as evidence Canada isn’t ready.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he is supportive of legalization but his party is calling on the federal government to expunge Canadians’ criminal records for simple pot possession.

Beginning Wednesday, Canadians who are 18 or 19, depending on the province or territory, will be able to buy and use cannabis legally.

The Canadian Press