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Senators make final pitches for and against legalizing pot ahead of Bill C-45 vote

Click to play video: 'Is the government ready for pot legalization?'
Is the government ready for pot legalization?
WATCH: Is the government ready for pot legalization? – May 8, 2018

OTTAWA – Senators are giving their final pitches for and against legalizing marijuana as they prepare to vote tonight on the Trudeau government’s landmark legislation to lift Canada’s 95-year-old prohibition on recreational cannabis.

Bill C-45 appears likely to pass, despite the resolute opposition of the 32 Conservative senators and uneasiness among some independent senators.

But that won’t be the end of the pot saga.

READ MORE: Senate Indigenous committee came close to indefinitely postponing cannabis legalization

Senators have approved almost four dozen amendments to Bill C-45.

If the Senate passes the bill with those amendments, it will go back to the House of Commons, where the government will decide whether to approve, reject or modify the changes before returning it to the Senate for another vote.

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WATCH: Bill C-45 amendment to see marijuana production accessories sold in garden stores

Click to play video: 'Bill C-45 amendment to see marijuana production accessories sold in garden stores'
Bill C-45 amendment to see marijuana production accessories sold in garden stores

Most of the Senate’s amendments are minor, but a handful are significant, including one to allow provinces to prohibit home cultivation of cannabis if they choose, rather than accept the four marijuana plants per dwelling allowed under the bill.

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