In preparation for the federal legalization of cannabis, the provincial government is papering everyone’s mailbox with two handy documents inculcating major policy shifts taking effect on October 17.

One document briefly summarizes the changes to Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act, and a second touches on legislative shifts in B.C.

The colourful little grab guides for weed legalization skim the important changes Canadians can expect to see with the new regulations, including quick-hit facts like: “adults can grow up to four cannabis plants per household. But you have to make sure the cannabis plants are not visible from a public place.”

Keep in mind, the provincial government needs to take a safer-than-sorry approach to cannabis, so some statements still need to be taken with a grain of salt. For example, one leaflet reads: “Like alcohol and tobacco, cannabis has risks, especially for youth and young adults”, which is still widely contested by academics and advocates who argue that cannabis can be incredibly helpful in treating heath conditions at all ages and the impacts on youth are born of drug-war-era fear tactics. On the other hand, blunt statements in the fact sheets, like: “don’t cross the border with cannabis”, may help clear up lingering confusion and prevent someone from getting smacked with a ;lifetime ban from the United States.

These leaflets are really just a glossy invitation prompting Canadians to educate themselves by pointing them in the direction of more thorough informational resources.

Those curious the learn more about the federal changes are urged to visit the Health Canada cannabis portal or GetCannabisClarity.ca for more on the provincial changes. On both sites, users can explore colour-coded topics to delve deeper into specific issues, including cannabis use in the workplace, the impact of legalization on indigenous governments, and landlord rights. Each section contains several important public documents, links to active cannabis organizations, and educational resources for further research.