Recreational marijuana will officially become legal in Canada on Oct. 17, 2018
(OTTAWA) Bob Nault, Member of Parliament for the Kenora Riding, released the following statement regarding the Senate’s approval of Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act:
“Thanks to the hard work of both Chambers of Parliament, the Cannabis Task Force, along with input from all Canadians, we have passed historic legislation that will legalize and strictly regulate the sale of cannabis in our country. While we have a few steps left before legalization, including an implementation phase, this is, nonetheless, a transformative piece of legislation.
“We know that our previous model of prohibition failed to keep our children safe. That is why this new legislation will place strict penalties on those who make cannabis available to youth under the legal age while allowing adults to legally purchase, grow and use a limited quantity of cannabis.
“To complement the Cannabis Act, Bill C-46, which is currently in the Senate, will provide new powers for police and strengthen penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“Now that the Prime Minister has announced that recreational marijuana will become legal in Canada on Oct. 17, 2018, it is important to remember that our existing laws are still in place until they are repealed and replaced. In the meantime, the government will continue with public education initiatives to help Canadians understand the new legal framework for cannabis, including legalization timelines.”
