A Brief History Of The Cannabis Act
The Process By Which Recreational Marijuana Became Legal in Canada
The leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau, committed to legalize cannabis for recreational purposes during the 2015 federal election. The Liberals won 184 seats, in the election, allowing them to form a majority government.
The leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau, committed to legalize cannabis for recreational purposes during the 2015 federal election. The Liberals won 184 seats, in the election, allowing them to form a majority government.
The Trudeau government introduced the Cannabis Act, Bill C-45, and gave First Reading in the House of Commons on April 13, 2017. The Liberal plan was to make amendments to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts.
The Second Reading and referral to committee took place on June 8, 2017, which was followed by Committee Stage, where the Bill was studied by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health (HESA). HESA studies issues that relate to Health Canada, including bills and regulations. It also has oversight of four health-related agencies, including the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Public Health Agency of Canada. Members of Committee can hold hearings or special meetings to gain perspective from experts from both inside and outside government. The Committee can suggest amendments to the bill when it reports back to the Chambers.
The Committee’s Report was presented to Chambers on October 5, 2017, where the Bill was debated by all parliamentarians.
Legislation to legalize adult-use marijuana was passed by the House of Commons in Third Reading on November 27, 2017.
The Bill was introduced to the Senate and given First Reading on November 28, 2017. The Cannabis Act was adopted, by the Senate, in Second Reading on March 22, 2018, and was then referred to the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology (SOCI). Including four other Committees that also studied aspects of the bill.
The Senate Committee Report, with amendments to the Bill, was adopted on division on May 30, 2018.
The Senate of Canada website states:
On May 31, 2018, debate began at third reading. Pursuant to a motion adopted in the Chamber.
The vote at third reading took place on June 7, 2018. Bill C-45, as amended, was adopted by a vote of 56 to 30, with one abstention. The House of Commons accepted some of the Senate’s amendments.
On June 19, 2018, senators voted 52 to 29, with two abstentions, to adopt a motion to inform the House of Commons that the Senate would not insist on amendment with which the House had disagreed.
Bill C-45 was passed in both Houses in “identical form” and received Royal Assent on June 21, 2018 during a ceremony in the Senate Chambers, when the Bill officially became the law of Canada.
The Cannabis Act, Bill C-45 is government legislation that will come into full force and effect on October 17, 2018, which will legalize access to adult-use recreational marijuana; as well as control and regulate how marijuana is cultivated, distributed and sold in Canada.
