Canadian senate clears cannabis legalization

The Canadian Senate voted Tuesday to legalize cannabis, bringing Canada one step closer to becoming the first G7 country to authorize consumption and production of the mind-altering drug.

Just a day before, the House of Commons passed by 205 votes to 82 the bill that must now receive royal assent by the governor general before becoming law, likely by September. The step is only a formality.

The Senate, which could have delayed but not blocked the legislation—passed it with a 52-29 vote.

The measure ends prohibition of cannabis that had been in place in Canada since 1923. It was effectively legalized for medical use nearly two decades ago, in 2001.

Legalizing weed was a 2015 campaign promise of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has acknowledged smoking a joint with friends “five or six times” including since being elected as an MP.

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