Canada becomes second nation in the world to legalize marijuana
Canada becomes second nation in the world to legalize marijuana
A historic bill has been passed by the Canadian Parliament in order to legalise the recreational use of marijuana in the nation.
The Cannabis Act passed its final hurdle on Tuesday in a 52-29 vote in the Senate. The bill controls and regulates how the drug can be grown, distributed and sold, the BBC reported.
After Uruguay, Canada becomes the second country in the world to legalise Marijuana. Canadians will be able to buy and consume cannabis legally as early as this September.
Cannabis possession first became a crime in Canada in 1923 but medical use has been legal since 2001. The bill will likely receive Royal Assent this week and the government will then choose an official date when the law will come into force.
On Twitter, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praised the bill and focused on Canada's youth.
"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 legalise and regulate marijuana just passed the Senate," he said.
Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould also applauded the vote. "This is an historic milestone for progressive policy in Canada," she tweeted.
"This legislation will help protect our youth from the risks of cannabis while keeping profits out of the hands of criminals and organized crime."
The government is expected to give the provinces and territories, as well as municipalities, eight to 12 weeks to set up the new marijuana marketplace
-PTC News
