Senator Rob Black of Fergus has played a role in amending one of the federal government’s most controversial pieces of legislation in recent years.
Black, who was named an independent senator on Feb. 15 and sworn in 12 days later, helped announce last week changes to Bill C-45, which effectively legalizes access to cannabis.
On May 31, Black was joined by fellow senator Diane Griffin (PEI) and members of the Independent Senators Group (ISG), to explain the joint amendment to the The Cannabis Act.
The amendment, which was unanimously approved, removes all items associated with the production of cannabis – gardening/agricultural items such as soil, pesticides, lighting, fertilizer, shovels, etc. – from the “cannabis accessory” classification.
“I think it’s a good thing,” Black said in an interview on June 1.
A member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, Black told the Advertiser the ultimate result is gardening supplies will not need to be sold at specialty stores or from “behind the counter.”
He noted the amendment was the result of testimony at the agriculture and forestry committee and of meetings with industry representatives.
“We worked together to amend this legislation to ensure the concerns expressed were addressed,” Black stated in a press release.
The amendment also prohibits cannabis-related branding and marketing for gardening/agricultural products.
Black said the Senate had scheduled three more days of debate on the Cannabis Act, with plans for a final vote on June 7.
He told the Advertiser he won’t decide how he is voting until he hears all debates and amendments on the act. Yet he did note he personally thinks the decriminalization of cannabis is “not a bad thing.”
While some have considered the final vote a foregone conclusion, considering the prime minister’s push to pass the legislation, Black said senators are still debating “back and forth” about its contents.
“It will be interesting to see what happens,” he said, noting he is new to the process.
If approved by the senate, the amended bill will return to the House of Commons for consideration. The original goal was for the legislation to take effect on July 1.
