January 1st was a momentous day for the cannabis industry and drug policy reform globally. A week ago, when the clock struck midnight, California began legal sales of cannabis for adult use.

Canada is set to legislate for sale of cannabis for responsible adult use before July 2018. The countdown starts now.

Blair Gibbs is a former UK government official who served as an advisor to the former Mayor of London Boris Johnson and the Justice Secretary Michael Gove. He is currently working in Vancouver.