With the final stamp of approval from the Crown, recreational marijuana will become legal in Canada after the Canadian Senate voted 52-29 in favor of legalization Tuesday.
The Cannabis Act, which still needs royal assent from Gov. Gen. Julie Payette, passed the final step in becoming a law after a yearlong debate in the country’s House and Senate. Payette is expected to approve the bill as soon as Wednesday, according to CTV News.
Once approved, it’s likely to take effect in September, giving provinces, territories, and other stakeholders time to decide how they will regulate and govern in accordance with the new nationwide law.
The act makes Canada the first G-7 country to legalize recreational marijuana nationwide.
[Also read: Mitch McConnell: No plans to legalize marijuana]
