Current Government sets “High” Goals for Legalization of Marijuana this Spring

In the spring of 2017, the Liberal Government of Canada will introduce the process where by marijuana will be legalised, legislated and controlled.

Although there is resistance from the Official Opposition to the idea of a bill being passed, last summer a council was appointed by the current Minister of Justice, Hon. Jody Wilson-Raybould. This assembly has produced a study on the benefits and detriments of decriminalising this drug, as well as it’s hypothetical applications by society and the government hoping to reinforce the proposition. The chairperson is former Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan under the consultation of former Health/Justice Minister Paul Martin.

In regards to the actual study and proposed resolutions from provincial associates, medical professionals and social workers involved on the council, the release date is April twentieth, 2017. Until then there is only speculation on what will be presented before the House.

The suggested advantages range from social benefits to medical advancements, or even criminal reform.

Strict regulations will be enforced on the consumption, possession and distribution of cannabis products to ensure complete legality. This is expectant to lessen drug crime involvement, and secure official control of the product. There is also a motion to pardon minor drug related offenses, in order to decrease the amount of youth being incarcerated as the related crimes generally impact Canadian youth.This motion will provide a reprieve for people's criminal records and help the formerly convicted avoid impartial judgement by potential employers.

Legalisation will not only take influence away from criminal organisations, but will allow marijuana to be properly discussed, like that of alcohol or tobacco. Education on recreational, medicinal and abusive usage will create an aware society that can make an informed decision on marijuana. Taxation will also be implemented, similar to that of alcohol, tobacco and lottery services so revenue can be generated on a provincial and federal level. The legalisation of marijuana today is comparative to that of prohibition and the decriminalisation of alcohol almost 100 years ago.

The arguments against this proposition generally focus on the societal impacts.

The decriminalisation of this substance, being that of a drug; may potentially increase additional substance abuse and as it is labeled “a gateway drug”. Untested products and derivatives of marijuana, such synthetic THC pose a hazard, as they may fall under the new legislation and we do not fully understand their effects.

Impaired driving is also a concern as there is already a high rate of impaired drivers causing accidents in Canada, mostly relating to alcohol. Marijuana presents a separate contribution due to the fact the substance can remain in the body for 10 hours (1), making it difficult to determine how “high” you are before driving. Suggestions for more routine police stops and investigations may solve this, but are labeled “anti-charter” because they walk the line of unreasonable search and seizure.

Addiction and convoluted methods of licensing are all supplementary contentions to the decriminalisation as their maintenance and control lies in the Provincial government, presenting issues of interprovincial differences and conflicting interests with the Federal Government.

As Canada is a “progressive” society with a Liberal government, it is expected that this motion concerning cannabis should gain considerable support, but like with all proposed ideas, the public and government will not know the adverse reaction or problems until their proposal is made law. At a 2016 U.N. special assembly in New York, Federal Health Minister, Hon. Jane Philpott addressed concern on the legislation by saying “We will introduce legislation in spring 2017, that ensures we keep marijuana out of the hands of children, and profits out of the hands of criminals.”(2)

(1) Drugs.Com- “How long does marijuana stay in your system?”

(2) C.B.C News/ Politics- “Federal marijuana legislation to be introduced in spring 2017, Philpott says”