Dozens of Senate Changes Won’t Slow Trudeau in Legalizing Weed
- Canadian upper chamber expected to pass amended bill Thursday
- Changes mean bill returns to House of Commons before break
Marijuana plants grow at a facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Photographer: Trevor Hagan/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
A Senate vote this week on dozens of amendments to a bill legalizing recreational marijuana probably won’t substantially delay Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s push to open the market this summer.
The amended bill -- the Senate’s social affairs committee last week proposed 34 changes -- is due for a final vote Thursday. It’s expected to pass with amendments, and would then go back to the House of Commons to consider those changes. There is some urgency, with the summer break approaching. Trudeau’s government is flexing its muscle, pledging pot will be legalized this summer and signaling lawmakers won’t adjourn until the bill is passed.