The federal government’s much-debated legislation to legalize marijuana is being punted back to the Senate, it was confirmed on Wednesday, with a few key changes in its wording and a stern warning from the prime minister that Conservative senators should quit playing “games.”

What this means, in practical terms, is that the parliamentary wrangling over Bill C-45 will probably continue for at least another few days (it may be Monday before the bill is back before the Senate, insiders suggest).

The House of Commons is scheduled to break for the summer in just over a week, so the time crunch on this major Liberal promise has suddenly become very real.

One thing, however, remains certain: you won’t be able to buy legal marijuana at your local cannabis store on July 1. Nor will Canadians suddenly be able to find it for sale online on Canada Day.

Here’s what you need to know about what happens now, and what to expect over the next few months.

Why isn’t pot going to be legal on July 1?

The Canada Day goal was always a moving target for Ottawa when the government first tabled Bill C-45. [Read more at Global News Canada]