A New York Times reporter in Canada has been criticised for saying that Canadians are calling today "C-Day".

"I’m not trying to be a jerk, but I’ve not heard anyone, nor seen any local papers refer to this as C-Day," tweeted Canadian journalist Katie Simpson, in response.

Some media outlets, including Vice News, have been referring to the day as "Hash Wednesday" in a reference to the Catholic holy day of prayer.

Others have called it 10/17, in reference to 4/20 (20 April), which is regarded by some as a marijuana holiday.

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said in a news conference on Wednesday a new law will soon be introduced to make life easier for pot convicts.

Those who have served their time can apply for a pardon without having to pay a fee.

“It becomes a matter of basic fairness when older laws from a previous era are changed,” Mr Goodale said, Global News reported, external.

"I don't even drink coffee, I have no intention of using cannabis," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said at a news conference, when asked if he'll indulge now that it is legal.

Trudeau has admitted as far back as 2013 to smoking marijuana about five or six times in his life.

He said that in 2010, he and some friends smoked during a backyard get together, but added that he did not enjoy it.

"No, it wasn’t a mistake," Trudeau told journalists in Quebec City in 2013.

“I do not consume cannabis. I am not a big consumer at all."

British Columbians are among the heaviest cannabis users in Canada and Vancouver, its largest city, is dotted with "grey market" dispensaries.

Many dispensaries, which previously offered only "medical" cannabis, become effectively illegal with the introduction of legalisation.

What will happen to them after 17 October remains a question.

This dispensary planned to be open on Wednesday but the entire chain - all four locations - are expected to shut down completely the next day, and are currently selling off their wares at clearance rates.

Image source, Getty Images

As Canadians celebrate #WeedWednesday, here are the ground rules of the new law:

• Adults-only: You have to be 18+ or 19+ depending on the province to buy cannabis products
• Edibles: It'll be another year before cannabis-infused snacks are officially legal
• Sharing is caring: If you're an adult, you can share up to 30 grams of weed with other legal users
• DIY: Users can grow up to four cannabis plants for personal use as well as make their own cannabis products at home - as long as they're safe

• DUI: There is a zero-tolerance policy in effect for driving while under the influence of cannabis

• No-fly zone: The weed you buy in Canada has to stay in Canada - taking it across borders remains illegal. But, feel free to bring it on local flights

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada has released a statement emphasising that smoking weed during pregnancy could "cause lifelong harm" to the baby's brain.

Image source, Getty Images

Parks Canada has announced guidelines on lighting up around the campfire.

"While Parks Canada campgrounds are public areas, the agency treats individual campsites as temporary domiciles for our visitors," spokeswoman Marie-Hélène Brisson told CBC, external.

"For this reason, at Parks Canada campgrounds, consumption of cannabis will be permitted in campsites."

In some provinces - British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, as well as Nunavut and the Northwest Territories - adults are now allowed to smoke marijuana on hiking trails.

In most respects, cannabis will be treated like alcohol, officials say.

But officials caution that getting high in wilderness areas comes with increased risk to personal safety.

And smokers should be very cautious when extinguishing the flame, in order to prevent forest fires, which have increasingly been taking a toll on Canada's western provinces.

Image source, Getty Images

CBC News reports Conservative MP Michael Cooper said legalisation is "a mess" but that the law would stand even if Conservatives gain control.

MP Tony Clement has also been vocal about cannabis use, but said he'll focus on raising awareness of issues - like how police forces are unequipped to test impaired drivers for cannabis use., external.

The BBC's Jessica Murphy is on the ground in British Columbia at the province's only government-run store.

With these access cards, Canadians in Nova Scotia can opt to shop for weed online.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who promised to legalise cannabis in his campaign, has called the new policy a means of keeping "kids and communities safe".

An editorial piece in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) says Canada's legalisation of cannabis is "a national, uncontrolled experiment".

The critical article, external by CMAJ's editor-in-chief warned that the health hazards of cannabis are still unknown, and said any rises in recreational marijuana use "should be viewed as a failure of this legislation".

Image source, OCS.ca

The only way to legally buy weed in Ontario is online through a government-run website called the Ontario Cannabis Store.

As of midnight local time, OCS.ca began offering over 70 different types of cannabis to users that have entered their birth date, confirming that they are over 19 years old.

Customers can filter based on THC content percentage, price and aroma, and are allowed to purchase up to 30 grams.

After standing in line for hours, Canadians in Halifax, Nova Scotia head inside a local store to purchase their first legal cannabis.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has faced criticism - including from his own party - for not offering amnesty to people convicted of cannabis possession.

But according to Canadian media, the government will soon announce plans to allow people convicted of minor pot possession to more easily apply for a pardon.

The pardon, known as a record suspension, is costly and time-consuming to obtain, CBC reports.

There are 500,000 Canadians with criminal cannabis convictions.

Kani Malale told BBC News how his life has changed since he was charged with cannabis possession.

Join the BBC as we look inside a huge cannabis farm in British Columbia - which operators say is the world's largest.

While it can lead to feelings of relaxation, happiness and sleepiness, some experts say the drug isn't the harmless "natural" high some claim it to be.

In some cases, it can increase anxiety and paranoia, lead to confusion and even hallucinations, according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, external.

But still - many with long-term or painful illnesses swear by it, and there's good evidence that cannabis can help treat symptoms of chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, nausea and anxiety.

Want to know more? Read our full story.

Image source, Getty Images

Cannabis is now legal in Canada.

As of midnight last night, adults over 18 are now permitted to use the drug for recreation.

One shop owner in Portugal-Cove, Newfoundland told the BBC that today is a "dream come true".

Thomas H Clarke said his first customer last night was his father.

"I couldn't have had a prouder moment in my life," he said.