The cannabis market persists despite governmental efforts to prohibit or control it, prompting several countries, including Canada, to consider legalization as a way to regulate it. Canada began legalizing recreational cannabis in April 2017, aiming to bring the market out of the shadows, but must address challenges such as public health, child protection, and economic impact. Canada’s approach reflects a global shift toward new solutions over prohibition, and it may draw lessons from other countries like Portugal, Spain, Israel, and the United States to balance the risks and benefits of legalization.