Canada legalises use of recreational marijuana

During the senate vote, the motion received 52 pro votes while 29 members voted against the move.

The law will come into effect from September

By virtue of the order, Canada became the second country in the world, after Uruguay, to legalise cannabis for recreational use.

However, Canada has been using cannabis medically since 2001.

Speaking about the new law, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 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."

The rule, however, has met with serious criticism from some section of the society.

Conservative lawmakers and members of the indigenous groups have trashed it.

"Hope we are wrong on this piece of legislation. I think it will be catastrophic for Canadian generations to come," tweeted Conservative senator Leo Housakos.

According to reports, Canadian adults will be allowed to possess around 30 grams of dried cannabis in public. Exceeding the limit will be deemed illegal and will attract penalty.

The authorities have also stated that buying cannabis from unlicensed dealer or growing more than four plants per household will be treated as illegal.

A buyer will need to be at least 18 years or older to obtain it from licensed stores, while some Canadian provinces have set up the age limit to 19.

Cannabis-infused foods will not be available now, but is expected to take a year from the time the bill comes into effect. Within this gap, the government is expected to set up the system.

While Trudeau, who is gearing up for the polls, said that he helped change an ineffective system, political commentators have accused him of being a populist and using the move to bolster his party's chances in the upcoming polls, as several surveys have suggested that most of the Canadian population are for the legalisation of cannabis as a recreational drug.
 

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