Canada on track to legalize recreational pot by July 2018 | Reuters

By Leah Schnurr and David Ljunggren | OTTAWA OTTAWA Canada was on track to legalize recreational marijuana by July 2018 after the government put forward legislation on Thursday that will see it regulate production but left the details of how the drug will be sold up to the provinces.Recreational marijuana has been legalized in some U.S. states, including Colorado and Washington, but Canada would be the first Group of Seven country to do so nationally. The ruling Liberal party made legalization part of its successful 2015 election campaign and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has argued that it will keep marijuana out of the hands of underage users and reduce drug-related crime."Criminal prohibition has failed to protect our kids and communities and we need a new approach," said Bill Blair, the government's point man on the issue and a former police chief.The government said it will provide details on a new licensing fee and tax system in the coming months

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