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Canadian News

Cannabis Act Clears Canadian Senate, Heads for Royal Assent

The Canadian Senate has voted 52-29 to approve the most recent version of Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act, which means the legislation making recreational pot legal is one step closer to becoming the law of the land in Canada.

With the vote last night, the Senate accepted the House’s removal of 13 of the 46 amendments that the Senate had originally added, including a ban on branded swag, which could pose a significant market opportunity for the promo industry.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to Twitter to express his satisfaction that the bill would be moving forward, citing a campaign promise he made back in 2015.

The Bill will now move to the royal assent stage, during which Canada’s sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II, will need to approve the act. That could come this week, after which Canada will set a date for legalization. That’s expected to be in late August or early September, after an eight- to 12-week preparation period that was promised to the provinces.

“This is an historic milestone for progressive policy in Canada as we shift our approach to cannabis,” said Minister of Justice Jody Wilson-Raybould, in a statement after the vote. “This legislation will help protect our youth from the risks of cannabis while keeping profits out of the hands of criminals and organized crime.”

While branded merch will be allowed under the bill’s provisions, the law bans the sale of cannabis to anyone under 18, although provinces and territories will be able to set higher minimum ages. Cannabis and oils will go on sale at regulated shops initially, followed by edibles next year following new regulations.

Legalization will make Canada the first advanced industrialized nation to make recreational marijuana lawful across the country. Medical marijuana has been legal there since 1981.