Where, when and why not now?

The Liberals’ landmark cannabis bill overcame its last legislative hurdle this week. But actual legal smoking won’t be allowed for another four months. The Post’s Maura Forrest answers the most pressing questions.

Q Why can’t I smoke pot legally now?

A Though Bill C-45 was passed by the Senate on Tuesday night and now awaits royal assent, the law will only come into force on Oct. 17, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Wednesday. The delay is to give provinces and police forces time to prepare. Until then, the government is telling Canadians to follow the existing laws.

Q When will I be able to buy edible marijuana products?

A Not for a while. The federal government plans to legalize edibles within a year of the cannabis bill coming into force — so by October 2019.

Q Where will I be able to buy legal weed?

A This depends on where you live. Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, Yukon and the Northwest Territories will sell marijuana in government-run stores, while Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Newfoundland have chosen private retail models. British Columbia will allow both private and government-run stores, while Nunavut has no immediate plans for a brickand-mortar location.

Q How can I grow my own plants?

A As it stands, if you live in Quebec or Manitoba, you can’t. Both provinces plan to ban home cultivation, though the Liberals rejected an amendment to the federal law that would have recognized the provinces’ right to implement such bans. As a result, the provincial bans could be subject to court challenges.

The federal law allows home cultivation of up to four plants and allows provincial retailers to sell seeds and small plants. However, it’s not clear how that will play out in every province.

Q Where will I be able to smoke it?

A Again, this depends on where you are. Public consumption is banned in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, P.E.I and Yukon, while most other jurisdictions will permit public consumption in some areas where smoking tobacco is allowed.

Q How old will I have to be?

A In Quebec and Alberta — 18. Everywhere else — 19.

Q How much will I be able to have on me?

A Up to 30 grams of dried cannabis.

Q How much will it cost?

A In December, federal and provincial finance ministers announced the cost of recreational marijuana could be about $10 per gram, with an excise tax of $1 on sales up to $10, and a 10-per-cent tax on sales worth more than $10. (Research suggests a typical joint can contain between 0.3 and 0.75 grams of cannabis.) Statistics Canada reported in March that the average price of cannabis on the existing illicit market is just under $7 per gram.

Q Can I consume any marijuana safely before driving?

A The government says it is taking a zero-tolerance approach, meaning even small amounts of cannabis consumed shortly before driving could put you over the proposed limit. The roadside screening devices will stop detecting it in your saliva after six to eight hours, so that’s the only truly safe approach.

Q Can I get amnesty for my existing pot possession conviction?

A The Liberals have hinted they’re considering amnesty for people with minor criminal records for pot possession, but they have made no firm commitments.