A Canadian marijuana legalization poll taken this week by Forum Research found that 59 percent support the new Liberal government’s stance on legalizing, taxing, and regulating cannabis for adult use, closely mirroring a recent Gallup poll showing 58 percent support for legalization in the United States.

However, there are some strong differences in Canadian and American opinions on how marijuana should be legalized.

The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, spoke out clearly in favour of legalizing marijuana during the election campaign that brought him to power on October 19. Professor Serge Brochu of University of Montreal's School of Criminology would support this policy change and has answered several questions to clarify the rational and nuance surrounding his opinion.

Q: What are the arguments in favour of legalization?

A legal marijuana industry in Canada would have between 6- and 7-million potential customers, an exclusive new poll has found — or about a third of the country’s adults.

A new Forum Research survey of 1,256 adults found 18 per cent of respondents had already used pot in the past year and another 13 per cent would if it were legal, for a combined 31 per cent of the adult population older than 18.

“The size of the market… should be good news for the potential industry players waiting to open shop here,” said Forum Research President Lorne Bozinoff in a release.

SASKATOON -- A man has launched a complaint with the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission over a police raid on a Saskatoon medical marijuana dispensary.

Kelly Anderson took the action Friday after police arrested four people at the Saskatchewan Compassion Club on Oct. 29, including owner Mark Hauk.

The complaint names Mayor Don Atchison and police chief Clive Weighill.

Anderson says the unlicensed club was the only place he felt safe purchasing marijuana to treat his chronic pain caused by a weakening of one knee and surgery on the other.

He says the closure of the dispensary denies him access to his medicine and is therefore discriminating against his condition.

Canada's cheapest pot producer sees sunshine as the secret to dominating legalization era

In Leamington, Ontario Aphria Inc.'s marijuana greenhouse is probably a space as different as it could be from a drug dealer's dingy basement. But it is home to some of the lowest-priced commercial pot in the country. Canada's budding marijuana industry could blossom into a $5-billion market if Liberals make recreational pot legal It is already…

Nova Scotia activist doesn't want people to mix marijuana with tobacco if pot is legalized

With the expected legalization of pot, a Nova Scotia activist is concerned about a Maritime marijuana tradition spreading — smoking marijuana cigarettes cut with tobacco.

It's a practice Nova Scotia rapper Classified referenced in his song, The Maritimes. 

"We always mix our tobacco with weed, it's the way we've always done it," Classified raps.

That song brings a smile to Chris Backer's face.

"For a lot of Maritimers financially, we have less money here. And a lot of people stretched [marijuana] out that way by mixing it with tobacco," said the vice-chair of Maritimers Unite for Medical Marijuana.

Port Alberni’s first and only medical marijuana dispensary may be shutting its doors for good today after a short stint in the city.

WeeMedical Dispensary Society opened its Port Alberni location two weeks ago but it has quickly learned its not welcome.

The city’s mayor says such dispensaries are illegal and should not operate in the city until they are.

“We don’t want to be in the position as a city where we’re seeming to endorse something that currently isn’t legal,” says Port Alberni mayor Mike Ruttan. “Frankly, for a business to open up without even discussing it with the city beforehand is disrespectful.”

Victoria will write to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for clarification on the federal government’s plans for the legalization and regulation of marijuana.

Meanwhile, the city will continue to develop its own regulations governing marijuana shops.

During the election campaign, the federal Liberals promised to remove Criminal Code provisions against possession and consumption of marijuana and to institute a federal system for sales and distribution.

Victoria councillors Marianne Alto and Chris Coleman suggested pausing efforts to develop regulations surrounding the marijuana retail trade until the city heard from the prime minister or Feb. 19 — whichever came first.

The Department of State thinks that it’s just fine if Canada and Mexico decide to legalize recreational marijuana.

State Spokesman John Kirby answered a question at a Thursday press briefing about whether the recent federal election in Canada, as well as the Mexican Supreme Court ruling, would impact crime cooperation. The ruling established a constitutional right to recreational marijuana for personal use — for four individuals, leaving the country’s drug laws untouched. 

While many are eager to learn if Trudeau's government will make good on its promise to legalize marijuana, Halifax's deputy chief of police says everything from enforcing impaired driving to smoking regulations is about to get a whole lot more complicated.

"Just because it's legal, doesn't make it safe," said Bill Moore.

"I don't think the discussion has meant decriminalization is a free for all. I don't think that's where we're going. Hopefully not."

During the election, Justin Trudeau promised legalization would keep pot out of the hands of children and profits out of the hands of criminals.