While many states have legalized marijuana over the past 10 years, the United States federal government has yet to enact legislation or move to enforce existing laws (though that may change under the current administration). In contrast, the Canadian federal government plans to legalize marijuana, and provinces and municipalities will be forced to deal with the impacts within their areas of jurisdiction. Despite these differences in approach at the federal level, local governments are faced with many challenges arising from legalization of marijuana made by other levels of government. The presenters will explore lessons learned from the experience in the US and challenges that lay ahead for jurisdictions on both sides of the border as they deal with legalization, focusing on issues that the practitioner may want to consider when drafting regulations including zoning, dispersion, security, odor and advertising. There also will be consideration of regulating public use, use by minors and enforcement of licensing regimes.
