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(Update 12:30, June 20) - The Canadian government has made October 17, 2018, the official date of cannabis legalization.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement this morning during question period in the House of Commons.
This announcement comes after a historic vote in the Senate Tuesday night to pass Bill C-45, the government’s legislation to legalize cannabis.
Provinces and Territories have made it clear they need eight to 12 weeks to implement the new legislation. The new date will give them over 15-weeks to prepare for recreational cannabis sales.
The bill still needs to receive Royal Assent, which is expected on Thursday.
(Original Story) - The Senate has officially passed Bill C-45, The Cannabis Act, essentially legalizing cannabis in Canada.
The final vote passed 52 to 29, with two abstentions, meaning that Bill C-45 will now head for Royal Assent later this week before it officially becomes law.
Vote result on @SenHarder's motion related to the House of Commons response to the Senate's amendments to Bill #C45: Yeas: 52 Nays: 29 Abstentions: 2 #SenCA #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/Pa0LIcp6tq
— Senate of Canada (@SenateCA) June 19, 2018
It’s been too easy for our kids to get marijuana - and for criminals to reap the profits. Today, we change that. Our plan to legalize & regulate marijuana just passed the Senate. #PromiseKept
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 20, 2018
The main point of contention was in regard to a Senate amendment to allow provinces the jurisdiction to ban the home cultivation of cannabis.
That amendment was defeated in the vote, meaning current federal rules will allow provinces to set a limit between one and four plants, but will not allow provinces to ban home cultivation outright.
“We have witnessed today a very historic vote that ends 90 years of prohibition, that’s historic. It ends 90 years of needless criminalization, it ends a prohibition model that inhibited and discouraged public health, and community health approaches in favour of ‘just say no.’ Approaches that simply failed our young people miserably,” independent Senator Tory Dean said after the vote.
Before becoming law the bill still needs to receive Royal Assent, which is expected as early as tomorrow.
Implementation could take eight to 12 weeks following Royal Assent, meaning Canadians will be able to legally purchase cannabis by September at the earliest.
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