When people think of countries around the world that embrace cannabis production, most think of Amsterdam first, with its street-level cafes and apparently permitted culture. But its laws don't necessarily reflect that widely supported view.

Cannabis is illegal but tolerated there. The police will leave you alone if you hold five grams or less because they assume you have it for your own private use. You could face a fine or prison sentence if you have more than that because they assume you could be selling it.

OMQ produced this graphic, called "Marijuana Lessons for Canada," as a public teaching tool in advance of legalization, which the Canadian government says will happen by the beginning of next year.

The graphic compares various states of legalization and decriminalization in three countries - Netherlands, United States, and Portugal - as a way of sparking discussion about the possible reforms that will take place in Canada.

It answers basic questions like, "Where is smoking marijuana allowed?" In the Netherlands, it can only be consumed in licensed cannabis coffee shops. In Portugal - where cannabis is decriminalized, not legalized - you can only smoke it at home. You can't do it public, though there are some unsanctioned cannabis coffee shops. In legal U.S. states, you also can't smoke it in public, though there is currently heated debate and various lawmaking initiatives to allow for cannabis clubs and cafes.

This also answers the questions around growing at home and where you can buy hemp products. Because Canada has promised to legalize cannabis, not simply decriminalize it, the authorized U.S. states are likely to provide more useful insights for setting up a legal, recreational market there.