Canada becomes the second country in the world to legalize cannabis

June 20, 2018

Pictured: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

The Canadian Senate passed a bill to legalize cannabis for social use on Tuesday with a vote of 52-29. The vote officially made Canada the second nation in the world – and the first G7 nation – to legally permit a nationwide cannabis market.

Bill C-45, known as the Cannabis Act, arose after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to secure cannabis for adult use only and reduce crime.

“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,” Trudeau tweeted yesterday.

Uruguay is the only other country that has legalized nationwide cannabis production, sale, and consumption.

Provinces and territories in Canada have advised they will need about eight to 12 weeks to draft their own rules for cannabis sales. The government is expected to choose an implementation date sometime in September.

The new bill will allow adults 18 and older to carry and share up to 30 grams, or just over one ounce, of legal cannabis in public. Adults will be allowed to cultivate up to four plants in their homes and prepare edibles for personal use. As for purchasing cannabis, consumers are expected to buy their product from regulated, licensed producers. Producers will be regulated by provinces, territories, or the federal government. Cannabis cannot be sold in the same place as alcohol or tobacco.