One argument often made in support of cannabis legalization is that it'll free up time in the court system.

It's too early to tell whether that'll be the case in Saskatchewan, but we can take a look at some numbers Stats Canada has out there.

The frequency of possession charges for cannabis both across Saskatchewan and Canada have been decreasing significantly since 2011.

In 2011 - the highest rate of possession charges per capita for the stats available, dating back to 2006 - there were around 205 offences per 100,000 people in Saskatchewan and around 180 offences per 100,000 people country-wide.

In 2017 that rate per 100,000 people fell to 96 in Saskatchewan and 105 in Canada.

Drug prosecutions are carried out federally in Canada, and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada said it's "too soon to tell" how cannabis legalization might impact prosecutions or the court system in Canada.

Trafficking marijuana, driving while impaired, and possessing more than four cannabis plants remain illegal.