Canadian legislature approves recreational use of marijuana
Canada is set to become the first Group of Seven nation to legalise recreational marijuana after a bill from Justin Trudeau’s government won the backing of the upper chamber.
The Senate’s approval in a vote on Tuesday night in Ottawa clears the way for the final step -- a ceremonial approval from the governorgeneral -- to officially make Bill C-45 law. The exact date it will take effect remains unclear, and ministers have said another 12 weeks beyond that may be needed for producers and retail stores to prepare for their first sales.
“It’s been too easy for our kids to get marijuana -- and for criminals to reap the profits,” the prime minister said in Twitter message posted after the vote. “Today, we change that. Our plan to legalise & regulate marijuana just passed the Senate. #PromiseKept.”
Trudeau’s Liberals pressured the Senate to approve the bill this week before a Parliamentary recess began, allowing the government to keep a pledge for the market to open by the end of the summer. Legalisation could create a market worth C$7.2 billion ($5.4 billion) and investor anticipation has already created several companies such as Canopy Growth Corp. and Aurora Cannabis Inc. with market values of more than C$1 billion. The Senate voted 52 to 29 in favour of a revised bill from the elected House of Commons, and there were two abstentions. The House version accepted some earlier Senate amendments.
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