![[image source: Bangla Photography - Flickr]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2018/6/21/660x290/b_502x220x82/image-source-bangla-photography-flickr_2037327.jpg "[image source: Bangla Photography - Flickr]")
Marijuana is a controversial drug, as many countries are against legalizing it, but Canada will be the second nation in the world to legalize marijuana for recreational use, thanks to a recent vote in the Senate.
The second nation in the world to legalize marijuana for recreational use
According to CNN, Uruguay was the first nation to legalize marijuana back in December of 2013, and now, Canada will be the second country to do so. Canada made the decision to legalize recreational marijuana by a senate vote of 52-29 on Tuesday, June 19, and it will become official in October.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to Twitter to speak of the new change, and what the overall plan will be moving forward. Prime Minister Trudeau ended one of his tweets with the hashtag #PromiseKept, as seen below:
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
Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould applauded the choice to legalize the drug on Twitter, focusing on the youth and not allowing criminals to profit from it.
#C45 has passed the Senate - this is an historic milestone for progressive policy in Canada as we shift our approach to cannabis. This legislation will help protect our youth from the risks of cannabis while keeping profits out of the hands of criminals and organized crime. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/guaWrS1kHG
— Jody Wilson-Raybould (@Puglaas) June 19, 2018
The Senate bill will not go into effect right away because different areas need time to prepare for the legalization and sale of the drug.
It is important to understand that the bill is not in place yet, and that the current rules regarding marijuana still apply until the newly passed legislation goes into effect on October 17. Adults 18 and up will be able to purchase, use a limited amount, and even grow marijuana legally once the bill goes into effect.
The rules regarding the legalization of recreational marijuana
An article from CNN explains what users are allowed to do, along with some of the limitations. The article states that individuals "will be able to carry and share up to 30 grams of legal marijuana in public. They also will be allowed to cultivate up to four plants in their households and prepare products such as edibles for personal use." So, there will be limitations regarding how many plants an individual can have and how much someone can have on them in public.
According to CNN: "Consumers are expected to purchase marijuana from retailers regulated by provinces, territories or -- when neither of those options are available -- federally licensed producers. Marijuana will also not be sold in the same location as alcohol or tobacco."
The Canadian government has also made changes to their impaired driving laws, to address the matter of driving under the influence of marijuana.
According to the bill, the current age for marijuana use is set at 18. Individual provinces can raise the age, but the main goal is to discourage use among youth. The bill also makes the production, distribution, or sale of cannabis products an offense for minors.
