Canada legalizes Marijuana for recreational purposes

The Parliament of Canada took steps to legalize the use of Marijuana for recreational purposes nationwide. The final hurdle of legalizing the Cannabis Act was won over on Tuesday (June 19) after a poll of 52-29 in the Senate. The Act regulates and controls the manner in which the drug could be grown, distributed and sold. Through the new Cannabis Act that was legalized, Canadians will be able to consume cannabis from September. With this significant move, Canada makes history as the second country worldwide to legalize the drug for recreational purposes. Uruguay was the first ever since their permit was passed on in December 2013. The possession of Cannabis in Canada was firstly considered a crime in 1923 but has been legalized for medical usage ever since the year 2001. Although the bill for the enactment of the Act has been presented to the Senate, it has to also go through the Royal Assent this week, and the government would only then choose an official date when the law would come into force. Justin Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister took to Twitter saying that all the while it has been all too easy for kids to get Marijuana and for the criminals to make profits out of it, but today that they've changed that.  In 2015 alone reports revealed an estimate of about C$6bn spent on Cannabis comparatively close to the money spent on wine. The drugs would also be provided online access from federally licensed producers to be ordered from all over Canada. Adults are given authority to possess up to 30 grams (one ounce) of dried cannabis when in public. Food infused with cannabis would not be put up for immediate purchase but it will be within a year of the bill coming into force. The legal age for the consumption of Marijuana has been federally set as 18. Although legalized the federal government has authorized certain guidelines for branding and promotional activities, where promotions carried out targeting the younger people or depiction of celebrities or animals in advertisements are strictly prohibited. Further, the possession of over 30 grams of cannabis, growing more than four plants per household and buying from an unlicensed dealer still remains illegal. If an individual is caught selling the drug to a minor he could be penalized and jailed for a period of 14 years. But why now? The new legislation was passed in order to fulfill a campaign promise made by PM Trudeau, in 2015. This decision has been taken in an era where global trends shift away from the criminal prohibition of the drug.