Canada Senate Approves C-45 to Legalize Recreational Cannabis

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]R[/dropcap]ecreational cannabis could likely become a reality in Canada, after today’s approval in the Senate. A bill to legalize cannabis for adults passed in the Canada’s upper house late Thursday night with a vote of 56-30. Bill C-45, or the Cannabis Act, would reverse a nearly 100-year prohibition of cannabis in Canada.

After over a year of compromises, debate and amendments, the bill is finally approaching the finish line. It would legalize up to 30 grams of cannabis for adults. Some amendment setbacks would apply, however, such as the option of provinces to ban even at-home cultivation.

Tonight’s vote was a long-awaited victory. Minister of Health and MP for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, applauded the approval of the bill.

I’m very happy to see that Bill C-45 has passed third reading in the @SenateCA. We’re one step closer to a sensible, responsible policy on cannabis – taking profits away from criminals and protecting our youth. #C45

— Ginette Petitpas Taylor (@GPTaylorMRD) June 8, 2018

Independent Sen. Andre Pratte appeared willing to give legalization a try, and “move forward” with an open mind.

Others weren’t so enthusiastic, according to The Canadian Press. Sen. Dennis Patterson sided with several other lawmakers of the Conservative Party of Canada, saying that cannabis is a “mind-numbing drug”. “I believe, and I do fervently hope I’m wrong, that we will pay an intolerable price that we will regret,” Patterson lamented. “There will be casualties. There will be mental illness. There will be brain damage. There will be deaths.”

The bill will now return to the House of Commons for consideration. After that, it goes to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s desk for signature, as promised, and it becomes law. Other than Uruguay, Canada would be the only country to legalize cannabis and the first G7 nation to legalize cannabis.