Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act, is now law. The bill is a piece of government legislation that legalized access to recreational cannabis in Canada when it came into force on October 17, 2018. The bill received Royal Assent on June 21, 2018 during a ceremony in the Senate Chamber.
The bill, which also controls and regulates how cannabis is grown, distributed and sold, was introduced in the Senate and given first reading on November 28, 2017. It was passed in the House of Commons on November 27, 2017.
Bill C-45 was adopted at second reading in the Senate on March 22, 2018 and was referred to the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology. Four other committees also studied aspects of the bill.
The committee’s report, with amendments to the bill, was adopted on division on May 30, 2018.
On May 31, 2018, debate began at third reading. Pursuant to a motion adopted in the Chamber, speeches and amendments were grouped thematically:
- May 31: issues relating to cannabis production
- June 1: issues relating to the sale and distribution of cannabis
- June 4: international issues relating to cannabis
- June 5: issues relating to criminal penalties
- June 6: issues relating to cannabis consumption, public health and matters relating to Indigenous peoples.
The vote at third reading took place on June 7, 2018. Bill C-45, as amended, was adopted by a vote of 56 to 30, with one abstention. The House of Commons accepted some of the Senate’s amendments.
On June 19, 2018, senators voted 52 to 29, with two abstentions, to adopt a motion to inform the House of Commons that the Senate would not insist on amendments with which the House had disagreed.
PROGRESS THROUGH PARLIAMENT
RESOURCES: How a bill becomes a law Glossary of key Senate terms
DEBATE ON A MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
SOCI - Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology
Bill C-45 was referred to the Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology after it was adopted at second reading in the Senate on March 22, 2018.
The committee’s report, with amendments, was presented to the Senate on May 29, 2018.
Monday, May 28, 2018
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Friday, May 25, 2018
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Thursday, May 24, 2018
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Wednesday, May 23, 2018
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Tuesday, May 22, 2018
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Thursday, May 10, 2018
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Wednesday, May 9, 2018
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Pursuant to a motion adopted on February 15, 2018, four other Senate committees studied aspects of the bill.
AEFA - Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade
The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade studied the bill as it relates to Canada’s international obligations.
APPA - Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples
The Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples studied the bill as it relates to the Indigenous peoples of Canada.
LCJC - Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
The Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs studied elements contained in parts 1, 2, 8, 9 and 14 of the bill.
SECD - Senate Committee on National Security and Defence
The Senate Committee on National Security and Defence studied the bill as it relates to Canada’s borders.
The Cannabis Act in the Senate: Follow this Moment for updates on Bill #C45 at third reading.
The Cannabis Act in the Senate: Follow this Moment for updates on Bill #C45 at second reading.
First reading of Bill C-45
Bill 26: An Act to Control and Regulate Cannabis
Latest: Received Royal Assent on December 15, 2017.
Bill 29: An Act to Reduce Cannabis and Alcohol Impaired Driving
Latest: Received Royal Assent on December 15, 2017.
Bill 6: Gaming and Liquor Statutes Amendment Act, 2018
Latest: Received Royal Assent on June 11, 2018.
Highlights:
- Must be 18 to purchase or possess cannabis
- Private retailers to operate physical stores under the supervision of the province’s liquor commission; the provincial government to operate online retail
- Cannabis sales will not be permitted where alcohol, pharmaceuticals and tobacco are available for sale
- Zero tolerance for drug-impaired driving for drivers in the province’s graduated licensing program
- Maximum of four cannabis plants per household; landlords and condominium boards can make rules restricting cultivation
SOURCE: Government of Alberta
Last updated: June 15, 2018
Bill 30: Cannabis Control and Licensing Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on May 31, 2018.
Bill 31: Cannabis Distribution Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on May 31, 2018.
Highlights:
- Must be 19 to purchase or possess cannabis
- The province will use a government-run wholesale distribution model through its liquor distribution branch
- Public and private retail operations will be permitted
- Cannabis use will generally be permitted where tobacco consumption is permitted, but non-medical consumption will be banned in areas frequented by children including beaches, parks and playgrounds
- Maximum of four cannabis plants per household
Last updated: June 15, 2018
Bill 25: The Cannabis Harm Prevention Act (various acts amended)
Latest: Received Royal Assent on June 2, 2017.
Bill 11: The Safe and Responsible Retailing of Cannabis Act (Liquor and Gaming Control Act and Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation Act Amended)
Latest: Received Royal Assent on June 4, 2018.
Bill 25: The Non-Smokers Health Protection and Vapour Products Amendment Act (Prohibiting Cannabis Consumption in Outdoor Public Places)
Latest: Received Royal Assent on June 4, 2018.
Highlights:
- Must be 19 years old to purchase or possess cannabis
- The province’s Liquor and Gaming Authority will regulate the purchase, storage distribution and retail of cannabis; the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation will secure and track the provincial cannabis supply
- Private retailers will be used to sell cannabis to consumers
- Communities within Manitoba will be allowed to hold a plebiscite to prohibit cannabis sales
- Individual cultivation of cannabis in private homes is prohibited
SOURCE: Government of Manitoba
Last updated: June 15, 2018
Bill 16: Cannabis Control Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on March 16, 2018.
Bill 17: Cannabis Management Corporation Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on March 16, 2018.
Bill 18: Cannabis Education and Awareness Fund Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on March 16, 2018.
Bill 20: An Act to Amend the New Brunswick Liquor Corporation Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on March 16, 2018.
Highlights:
- Must be 19 years old to purchase or possess cannabis
- Cannabis stored or grown in a private home must be kept in a locked container or room
- The province’s liquor corporation will operate cannabis retail operations through a subsidiary
SOURCE: Government of New Brunswick
Last updated: June 15, 2018
Bill 20: Cannabis Control Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on May 31, 2018.
Bill 23: Liquor Corporation Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on May 31, 2018.
Bill 22: An Act to Amend the Smoke-Free Environment Act, 2005
Latest: Received Royal Assent on May 31, 2018.
Highlights:
- Must be 19 years old to purchase or possess cannabis
- Use restricted to private residences
- Maximum of four cannabis plants per household
- The province’s liquor corporation is responsible for, among other things, buying importing and controlling the sale of cannabis
- Private retailers to be used to sell cannabis
SOURCE: Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Last updated: June 15, 2018
Bill 6: Cannabis Legalization and Regulation Implementation Act Latest: Received Royal Assent on June 1, 2018.
Highlights:
- Must be 19 to purchase or possess cannabis
- The territory’s liquor commission will be responsible for the importation and sale of cannabis
- Communities within the Northwest Territories will be allowed to hold a plebiscite to prohibit cannabis
- Public smoking of cannabis will be restricted
- Maximum of four cannabis plants per household
SOURCE: Government of Northwest Territories
Last updated: June 15, 2018
Bill 108: Cannabis Control Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on April 18, 2018.
Highlights:
- Must be 19 years old to purchase or possess cannabis
- The distribution and sale of cannabis will take place through the province’s liquor corporation
- Limited public use will be permitted; use will be restricted by the province’s Smoke-free Places Act
- Maximum of four cannabis plants per household
- Cannabis use in vehicles will be prohibited
SOURCE: Government of Nova Scotia
Last updated: June 15, 2018
Bill 3: Cannabis Statutes Amendment Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on June 13, 2018.
Bill 7: Cannabis Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on June 13, 2018.
Highlights:
- Consumption and possession of recreational cannabis is banned in private vehicles
- Police officers are granted warrantless search and seizure powers in some cases where officers have reasonable and probable grounds to believe that cannabis is present in a private vehicle or in the possession of someone travelling in a private vehicle
- Distribution and sales will be managed by the territory through its liquor control board
- Public consultations will be required prior to opening a cannabis store or lounge
- Individual cultivation of cannabis in private homes is prohibited
Last updated: August 20, 2018
Bill 174: Cannabis, Smoke-Free Ontario and Road Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2017
Latest: Received Royal Assent on December 12, 2017.
Bill 36: Cannabis Statute Law Amendment Act, 2018
Latest: Received Royal Assent on October 17, 2018.
Highlights:
- Must be 19 years old to purchase, possess or cultivate cannabis
- Bill 36 would repeals aspects of Bill 174 that ban the use of cannabis in public
- Bill 36 would repeals aspects of Bill 174 that restrict distribution and sales to the province through its liquor control board; private retail will be permitted
- Municipalities will be allowed to ban retail sales if they pass a resolution by January 22, 2019
- Maximum of four cannabis plants per household
SOURCE: Government of Ontario
Last updated: November 26, 2018
Bill 29: An Act to Respond to the Legalization of Cannabis
Latest: Received Royal Assent on June 12, 2018.
Bill 31: Cannabis Taxation Agreement Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on June 12, 2018
Highlights:
- Must be 19 years old to purchase or possess cannabis
- The province’s liquor corporation will operate cannabis retail operations through a subsidiary
- Use of cannabis is restricted to private residences, with some exceptions
- Individual cultivation of cannabis will have to occur within the person’s home and plants will have to be inaccessible to any person under the age of 19 who lives there
SOURCE: Government of Prince Edward Island
Last updated: August 20, 2018
Bill 157: An Act to constitute the Société québécoise du cannabis, to enact the Cannabis Regulation Act and to amend various highway safety-related provisions
Latest: Received Royal Assent on June 12, 2018.
Bill 2: An Act to tighten the regulation of cannabis
Latest: Received Royal Assent on November 1, 2019.
Highlights:
- Bill 2 raises the legal age to purchase or possess cannabis from 18 to 21
- Bill 2 prohibits cannabis possession on the grounds or premises of a college- or university-level institution, except for university residences
- Distribution and sales continue to be managed by the province via the Société québécoise du cannabis
- Zero-tolerance policy for driving while under the influence of cannabis
- Individual cultivation of cannabis in private homes remains prohibited
SOURCE: Government of Quebec
Last updated: January 14, 2020
Bill 112: The Miscellaneous Vehicle and Driving Statues (Cannabis Legislation) Amendment Act, 2017
Latest: Received Royal Assent on May 30, 2018.
Bill 115: The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act, 2017
Latest: Received Royal Assent on May 30, 2018.
Bill 121: The Cannabis Control (Saskatchewan) Act
Latest: Received Royal Assent on May 30, 2018.
Bill 122: The Cannabis Control (Saskatchewan) Consequential Amendments Act, 2018
Latest: Received Royal Assent on May 30, 2018.
Highlights:
- Must be 19 years old to consume non-medicinal cannabis
- Zero tolerance for drug-impaired driving
- Consumption in public spaces (including schools and daycares) will be prohibited
- Province plans to ban possession of any amount by a minor; violations to be punished by fine and seizure; possession of more than five grams will be a criminal offence under the Youth Criminal Justice Act
- Maximum of four cannabis plants per household; landlords can make rules restricting cultivation
- Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming (SLGA) will select 51 stores in 32 communities to sell cannabis
SOURCE: Government of Saskatchewan
Last updated: June 15, 2018
Bill 15: Cannabis Control and Regulation Act Latest: Received Royal Assent on April 24, 2018.
Highlights:
- Must be 19 to purchase, possess or cultivate cannabis
- The territorial government will own and operate at least one retail store and provide an option for online purchases
- Private retail will be permitted through a controlled licensing regime
- Use of cannabis will initially be restricted to privately owned residences and adjoining property
- Maximum of four cannabis plants per household
SOURCE: Government of Yukon
Last updated: June 15, 2018
