Ottawa: Senators have voted to lift almost a century-old prohibition on cannabis, making it convenient for Canadians to legally purchase and consume recreational marijuana by mid-September.
The federal government’s bill legalising recreational marijuana was passed on Tuesday by a vote of 52-29, paving the way for a fully legal cannabis market within eight to 12 weeks.
“I’m feeling just great. We’ve just witnessed a historic vote for Canada. The end of 90 years of prohibition. Transformative social policy, I think. A brave move on the part of the government,” CBC quoted Tony Dean, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, as saying.
ALSO READ: United States of America withdraws from UN Human Rights Council
Meanwhile, Canadian Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor said the provinces will need two to three months to implement the new legalised cannabis regime.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed satisfaction talking about the bill and tweeted, “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,”
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
Canada is the first industrialised country to legalise cannabis nationwide.