Jump to content

Legal history of cannabis in Canada

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by AnomieBOT (talk | contribs) at 18:44, 28 September 2018 (Dating maintenance tags: {{Cn}}). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Main article: Cannabis in Canada

Although the Cannabis Act (C-45) paving the way to legalization on October 17, 2018 was passed in June 2018,[1] Cannabis in Canada remains illegal for recreational use. Police and prosecution services in all Canadian jurisdictions are currently capable of pursuing criminal charges for cannabis (legal term marijuana) possession and for marketing without a licence issued by Health Canada.[2][3][4] The Supreme Court of Canada has held that the federal Parliament has the power to criminalise the possession of cannabis and that doing so does not infringe the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.[5] The Ontario Court of Appeal and the Superior Court of Ontario have, however, held that the absence of a statutory provision for medical marijuana is unconstitutional, and to that extent the federal law is of no force and/or effect[6][7] if a prescription is obtained.[8] The recreational use of marijuana, however, has remained contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.[3]

Since 1997, public opinion polls have found that an increasing majority of Canadians agree with the statement, "Smoking marijuana should not be a criminal offence".[9] A June 2016 national poll conducted by Nanos Research showed that 7 in 10 Canadians are in favour of legalization.[10]

Challenges to marijuana laws at the federal level did not result in the deletion of the appropriate sections from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.[3] Legalization for personal (non-medical) consumption would need to be legislated, and that is the plan of the Government of Canada, as confirmed in 2015 and more specifically in 2016.[11] The enactment of that legislation will be the concluding point in a long history of attempts to legalize cannabis through the courts.

In 2016, the Government of Canada was working on legislation to legalise cannabis. The final wording was still under discussion in late March 2017, but a probable date for the official effect of the legislation was widely publicised as 1 July 2018. The provinces will have the power to determine the method of distribution and sale as well as the legal age for cannabis use.[12][13]

History

Early drug prohibition

Drug prohibition in Canada began with the Opium Act of 1908,[14] which was introduced based on a report by then-Deputy Minister of Labour, Mackenzie King. Following the Asiatic Exclusion League riot of 1907, King went to Vancouver to investigate causes of the riots and claims for compensation. Some of the claims came from opium manufacturers seeking compensation for damage done to their production facilities by the mob that attacked Chinatown and Japantown. While in Vancouver, King interviewed members of a Chinese anti-opium league and came away in favour of suppressing the drug because "opium smoking was making headway, not only among white men and boys, but also among women and girls."[15] In his report, King summarized the progress of the anti-opium movement in China, the United States, Britain, and Japan to make the point that Canada was lagging behind in this international movement. King's recommendations were the basis for the 1908 Opium Act, which prohibited the sale, manufacture, and importation of opium for other than medicinal use.[16]: 24  This was followed by the Opium and Drug Act of 1911, which outlawed the sale or possession of morphine, opium, or cocaine. Smoking opium became a separate offence, punishable by a maximum penalty of $50 and one month in jail.[16]: 24  King introduced the new legislation based on recommendations from the chief constable of the Vancouver police and to bring Canada's drug laws in line with resolutions passed at an American-led international anti-opium conference in Shanghai.[16]: 25  The name of the 1911 Act is significant because it separates opium, associated with Chinese users, from "white drugs," so labelled because of the colour of both the drugs themselves and the race of those presumed to be consuming them.[15]

The next wave of legislation began with the Opium and Narcotic Drug Act of 1920, which was amended in 1921 and again in 1922 before being consolidated in 1923.[15] Penalties became stiffer in the 1920s, with far more prison terms being handed out compared with the earlier period when fines were typically given.[16]: 25  Maximum prison sentences also increased from one to seven years and in 1922, possession and trafficking became a deportable offence.[16]: 25  The catalyst for these laws also differed from the earlier ones in that they were largely the result of the agitation of moral reformers, particularly those in Vancouver who had stirred up a full-blown moral panic over the drug issue in the early 1920s.[16]: 25  Race remained a persistent theme, and the drug prohibition movement was closely related to the move to totally exclude Chinese immigrants from Canada, which led to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act.[16]: 46 

Cannabis prohibition

Cannabis was added to the Confidential Restricted List in 1923 under the Narcotics Drug Act Amendment Bill after a vague reference to a "new drug" during a late night session of the House of Commons on April 23, 1923.[17][18] More specifically, the government introduced the Act to Prohibit the Improper Use of Opium and other Drugs; this was a consolidation of other legislation but now listed three new drugs, including marijuana.[19]

Historians often point to the 1922 publication of Emily Murphy's The Black Candle (which was reprinted in 1973) as the inspiration for the addition of the three extra drugs. Murphy was a suffragist and police magistrate who wrote a series of articles in Maclean's magazine under the pen-name "Janey Canuck", which formed the basis of her book.[20] She used numerous anecdotes culled mostly from anti-drug reformers and police to make her arguments, which make strong links between drugs and race and the threat this poses to white women. She claimed that a ring of immigrants from other countries, particularly China, would corrupt the white race. [21] "It is hardly credible that the average Chinese peddler has any definite idea in his mind of bringing about the downfall of the white race, his swaying motive being probably that of greed, but in the hands of his superiors, he may become a powerful instrument to that end."[22]

Although Murphy's anti-drug screeds were widely read and helped spread the drug panic across the country, historian Catharine Carstairs disputes that the 7 page chapter, Marahuana -- a new menace in Murphy's book inspired the inclusion of cannabis on Canada's restricted substance list. Specifically, Murphy was not respected by the Division of Narcotic Control because of the creative liberties she took in presenting research they had assisted her with. According to Carstairs, "There were insinuations in the records that the bureaucrats at the division of narcotic control did not think very highly of Emily Murphy and did not pay attention to what she was writing about, and they didn't consider her a particularly accurate or valuable source."[23]

More likely, cannabis was added to the list because of Canadian involvement in international conferences where it was discussed. According to one government official, cannabis was outlawed after the Director of the Federal Division of Narcotic Control returned from League of Nations meetings where the international control of the drug was broached.[16]: 49  Cannabis did not begin to attract official attention in Canada until the latter 1930s.[16]: 51  The first seizure of cannabis by Canadian police was not until 1937.[16]: 48  Between 1946 and 1961, cannabis accounted for 2% of all drug arrests in Canada.[16]: 112 

Popularization

While recreational use of cannabis in the Western hemisphere had been growing since the 1800s, it remained almost unheard of in Canada until the 1930s, and it was not until the 1960s that cannabis surged in popularity as a drug. Initially in the 1960s the drug was popular among middle-class college students, only later expanding to other demographics.[24] The maximum penalty for possession of small quantities was six months in prison and a $1,000 fine for a first offence.[25] Convictions for cannabis skyrocketed, from 25 convictions between 1930 and 1946, to 20 cases in 1962, to 2,300 cases in 1968, to 12,000 in 1972.[26] The Narcotics Control Act of 1961 increased maximum penalties to 14 years to life imprisonment.[27]

According to a report titled For The Senate Special Committee On Illegal Drugs, the increase in marijuana use during the 1960s was due to the "hippie psychedelic ethos", a counter culture that rejected traditional values, the growth of underground newspapers, and the increased discussion about the drug in the mass media. The report also suggests that increased travel to parts of the world such as the Far East, where hashish was readily available at moderate cost, contributed to the popularity of the drug culture.[28]

In response to the increased popularization of marijuana and the increase in criminal charges against middle class citizens, the government formed the Royal Commission of Inquiry in the Non-Medical Use of Drugs, usually referred to as the Le Dain Commission in 1969 to investigate the non-medical cannabis use in Canada.[29] The commission's 1972 report recommended removing criminal penalties for cannabis possession, though not legalization, per se. While the subsequent two federal governments discussed the recommendation, no steps were actually taken to change legislation.[30]

During the 1980s, Gallup polls indicated that cannabis use was stabilizing; this may have been because of the penalties and the changing opinion of the public toward a less permissive attitude that objected more strenuously to the marijuana-based lifestyle. However, cannabis use increased significantly during the 1990s. For example, statistics for Ontario between 1996 and 2000 indicated that use among 18-29 year olds increased from 18% to 28%.[28]

An October 2016 national poll by Forum suggests that about five million adult Canadians now use cannabis at least once a month; this was expected to increase by 19 percent after marijuana is legalized.[31] Canaccord Genuity analysts Matt Bottomley and Neil Maruoka released a research note with a more moderate estimates as to the number of users. They predicted that approximately 3.8 million persons will be recreational users (presumably on a frequent basis) by 2021.[32]

With the confirmation of adult-use legalization in Canada's launch in October 2017, several celebrities have agreed to promote specific brands. Tweed Inc. will be producing and distributing Snoop Dogg's Leafs by Snoop cannabis brand, and Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes known as Jay and Silent Bob will be promoting Beleave Inc.[33] Stars from the popular Canadian show Trailer Park Boys are launching the brand Trailer Park Buds, produced in collaboration with Organigram.[34]

Industrial hemp

Cannabis cultivation was banned in Canada in 1938, under the Opium and Narcotic Drug Act.[35] Commercial cultivation and production of industrial hemp was legalized in Canada in 1998. Prior to that point only a limited number of experimental growers had been licensed under Health Canada, beginning in 1961.[36]

Developments since 2001

Medical cannabis legislation

The regulation on access to cannabis for medical purposes, established by Health Canada in July 2001, defines two categories of patients eligible for access to medical cannabis. BC College of Physicians and Surgeons’ recommendation, as well as the CMPA position, is that physicians may prescribe cannabis if they feel comfortable with it. The MMPR (Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations) forms are a confidential document between Health Canada, the physician and the patient. The information is not shared with the College or with the RCMP. No doctor has ever gone to court or faced prosecution for filling out a form or for prescribing medical cannabis.[citation needed] Category 1 covers any symptoms treated within the context of providing compassionate end-of-life care or at least one of the symptoms associated with medical conditions listed below:

  • Severe pain and/or persistent muscle spasms from multiple sclerosis, from a spinal cord injury, from spinal cord disease
  • Severe pain, cachexia, anorexia, weight loss, and/or severe nausea from cancer or HIV/AIDS infection
  • Severe pain from severe forms of arthritis
  • Seizures from epilepsy

Category 2 is for applicants who have debilitating symptom(s) of medical condition(s), other than those described in Category 1. The application of eligible patients must be supported by a medical practitioner.[37] Health Canada permits cannabis for approved patients who can demonstrate a medical need for compassionate end-of-life care or debilitating symptoms.[38][when?] Chris Buors, a cannabis activist, was sentenced to six months in jail in November 2004 after pleading guilty to cannabis distribution and marketing charges arising from his operation of the Manitoba Compassion Club which served patients suffering from a variety of illnesses.

In a survey conducted by the United Nations in 2011 it was revealed that 12.6% of the population, roughly 4.39 million adults, have used cannabis at least once in the past year, while the estimate for those aged between 15 and 24 was 26.3%. Considering the massive size of the cannabis market, it is clear that prohibition has harmed the Canadian government greatly, like others worldwide, from an expansive additional source of revenue at a time when cuts in benefits and investments are being used to balance the budget and come out of debt. However, the loss of tax revenues is not the only problem associated with the current cannabis use policies: prohibition has kept the drug industry illegal and, subsequently, deregulated. This makes for risk-premiums that create a monopolized market with high barriers to entry, which in turn, leads to increases in violence, organized crime and the diversion of limited government resources to prosecuting drug users (i.e. non-violent crimes).[39]

In April 2014, the Medical Marijuana Access Program was replaced by the Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (or MMPR) by Health Canada.[4] Under the MMPR, legal medical cannabis production is authorized to licensed producers whom Health Canada maintains a public database of.[40] Patients wishing to fulfill a medical cannabis prescription must register with and order from a licensed producer of their choice. To receive prescription for medical cannabis, a patient must obtain a medical document from a healthcare practitioner and obtain Authorization to Possess from Health Canada.[8] Individuals with an Authorization to Possess valid on March 21, 2014 fall under a grandfather clause and may hold a maximum quantity of dried herbal cannabis as specified by their Authorization to Possess or 150 grams, whichever is less.[41]

In June 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada expanded the definition of medical cannabis to include any form of the drug, including but not limited to brownies, teas, or oils.[42]

While marijuana is legal for medical use, Toronto Police executed Project Claudia in 2016, seizing 279 kg of marijuana from multiple dispensaries regardless of their adherence to the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations. 186 charges were laid, many related to the sale of food. The interrupted service prompted medical marijuana patients to protest at TPS headquarters.[43][44][45]

Cannabis refugees in Canada

There are cases of users of medical cannabis in the United States who, on being persecuted in their own country, have fled across the border to Canada as "cannabis refugees", where they have sought asylum under the United Nations refugee convention.[46] This began occurring in the early part of the 2000s when the U.S. Attorney General, John Ashcroft, ordered a clampdown on the use of medical cannabis in the United States. Some of those who have fled are wanted by the U.S. federal government on charges related to their use of cannabis.

Failed decriminalization bills (2003, 2004)

On May 27, 2003, the Liberal government of Jean Chrétien introduced a bill that would have decriminalized the possession for personal use of small amounts of cannabis. Possession of 15 grams or less would have been punishable only with a fine, and those possessing between 15 and 30 grams would be either ticketed or arrested for criminal charges at the officer's discretion. Personal cultivation of up to seven plants would have also become a summary offence, while the punishment for cultivation in larger amounts would have been more severe. The bill looked likely to pass into law, but it died when Parliament prorogued. The bill's death was largely due to pressure from the American government's Drug Enforcement Administration, which had threatened to slow down border-crossings along the Canada–United States border with increased searches for cannabis.

An identical bill was introduced in November 2004 by the minority Liberal government of Paul Martin. It did not become law when Martin's government was defeated in a confidence vote. After the Conservative minority victory in the 2006 election, the new government did not continue with this legislation, nor did a private member's bill put forward new legislation on this topic.[47]

The Vancouver plan (2005)

This is a draft by the city authorities in Vancouver called Preventing Harm from Psychoactive Drug Use dated November 2005, that aims to regulate the sale of cannabis. The principle is "when A Framework for Action: A Four Pillar Approach to Drug Problems in Vancouver was adopted by City Council in 2001, Vancouver committed to developing a comprehensive strategy based on the best evidence available to address harmful drug use in the city. In public meetings across the city, citizens called for a more focused, coordinated and sustained approach to addressing drug related issues. Since that time, our understanding of the issue has grown. This plan highlights both the complexity and centrality of prevention in any discussion of a comprehensive Four Pillar approach to harmful drug use." A Four Pillar Approach to Drug Problems that was founded by Donald Macpherson consists of the equal involvement of facilities that deal with Prevention, Treatment, Enforcement and Harm Reduction strategies in a commonly shared goal to manage the negative impacts of severe drug use and dependence on the community and the individual.[48]

Marc Emery extradition and trial (2005–2009)

Marc Emery, a cannabis activist and former cannabis seed distributor from Vancouver, was extradited to the United States, where he was sentenced to 5 years in prison for "distribution of marijuana" seeds.[49] Though accused of laundering seed money from 1998 until his arrest in 2005, Emery paid provincial and federal taxes as a "marijuana seed vendor" totalling nearly $600,000.[citation needed]

Anti-drug strategy (2007)

In October 2007, while in his first term in office, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced a new national anti-drug strategy. Following the Conservative victory in the 2008 election, the government reannounced the policy in February 2009. The proposed legislation would have dealers facing one-year mandatory prison sentences if they are operating for organized crime purposes, or if violence is involved. Dealers would also face a two-year mandatory jail sentence if they are selling to youth, or dealing drugs near a school or an area normally frequented by youth. Additionally, people in Canada who run a large cannabis grow operation of at least 500 plants would risk facing a mandatory two-year jail term. Maximum penalties for producing cannabis would increase from 7 to 14 years.[50]

Bill C-15/S-10: mandatory minimums for cannabis (2009)

Legislation submitted by the Conservative minority government moved in a new direction on cannabis towards increasing penalties on cannabis trafficking by introducing mandatory minimum sentencing. The legislation passed the House of Commons with the support of the Liberal Party of Canada, while both the NDP and Bloc Québécois opposed the legislation.

The Senate sent the bill back to the house. Parliament was prorogued at the end of 2009 so the bill died,[51] but it was reintroduced as Bill S-10. Bill S-10 did not become law, in March 2011 as parliament was dissolved after a non-confidence vote.[52]

Legalization (2017)

Main article: Cannabis Act

On April 13, 2017, a bill to legalize cannabis by July 1, 2018 was introduced to Parliament. It would allow for national use by individuals 18 and over, and possession of 30 grams. Provinces could further restrict possession, sale and use. Provisions were not made for legal sales.[53][54]

Key court decisions

All of these decisions have invalidated the prohibition of cannabis based on the insufficiency of the exemptions provided for legitimate medical users of the drug. However, the laws have been and will probably continue to be modified in order to adapt them to constitutional requirements. As such, there is the possibility that a judge will uphold as valid a newer revision of the law. This also does not stop prosecutors from pursuing charges against cannabis users. Therefore, cannabis users cannot be assured that they will not be prosecuted for their use of the drug.

2000: R. v. Parker (Ontario Court of Appeal)

R. v. Parker was the landmark decision that first invalidated the cannabis prohibition. However the declaration of invalidity was suspended for one year. It concerned the case of an epileptic who could only alleviate his suffering by recourse to cannabis. The Court found that the prohibition on cannabis was unconstitutional as it did not contain any exemption for medical use.[55]

2003: R. v. J.P. (Ontario Court of Appeal)

On May 16, 2003, the Ontario Superior Court found the accused party, "J.P.", not guilty. The appellate court ruled that the Medical Marihuana program's rules do not form a basis for the prosecution of J.P., as they do not themselves contain any effective prohibitions.[56]

The Crown appealed the decision of the Ontario Superior Court to the Ontario Court of Appeal. But in October 2003, the Court of Appeal upheld the invalidity of section four of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act as it applies to cannabis, on the same grounds as those given by the lower court. The court stated in its ruling:

As we have held, the MMAR [Medical Marihuana Access Regulations] did not create a constitutionally acceptable medical exemption. In Parker, this court made it clear that the criminal prohibition against possession of marihuana, absent a constitutionally acceptable medical exemption, was of no force and effect. As of April 12, 2002, there was no constitutionally acceptable medical exemption. It follows that as of that date the offence of possession of marihuana in s. 4 of the CDSA was of no force and effect. The respondent could not be prosecuted.[This quote needs a citation]

2003: R v Malmo‑Levine; R v Caine (Supreme Court of Canada)

In late 2003, in R v Malmo-Levine; R v Caine,[5] the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed a general constitutional challenge to Canada's criminalisation of marijuana possession, brought under the Constitution Act, 1867 and under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. One of the appellants had been convicted in the lower courts of simple possession of marihuana, while the other had been convicted of possession for the purposes of trafficking. If they had succeeded in their challenge, the cannabis law would have been struck down entirely, unlike the more limited challenges based on the medical use of marihuana.

The appellants argued that the federal Parliament lacked the authority to criminalise marihuana possession. They also challenged the offence under three sections of the Charter: s. 7 (liberty and principles of fundamental justice), s. 12 (cruel and unusual treatment and punishment) and s. 15 (equality).

On the first point, they argued that the criminalisation of marihuana did not come within the federal criminal law jurisdiction. With respect to s. 7 of the Charter, they argued that the right to liberty and the principles of fundamental justice protected by s. 7 included a "harm principle": that the federal criminal law power can only be used to criminalise harmful conduct. With respect to s. 12, they argued that the punishment for possession was grossly disproporationate. On s. 15, they argued that singling out marihuana possession infringed the equality guarantee of the Charter.

The Supreme Court dismissed their appeals. On the issue of the criminal law power, the Court unanimously concluded that the federal criminal law power included the power to criminalise marihuana.

The Court split, 6-3, on the Charter issues. Speaking for the majority, Justices Gonthier and Binnie found no infringement of any of the Charter provisions. On s. 7, the majority found that the proposed "harm principle" did not qualify as a principle of fundamental justice, and in any event the government had provided sufficient evidence of harm to justify its actions. Nor was the law arbitrary. On the issue of punishment, the fact that there was no minimum sentence for the offences indicated that the law was not grossly disproportionate. On the equality issue, the lifestyle goals of the accused did not rise to the level of inherent personal characteristics to trigger s. 15 of the Charter.

The three dissenting judges each wrote their own reasons. All three agreed that the federal criminal law power included the power to criminalise marihuana. Justice Arbour accepted the appellants' argument that the principles of fundamental justice included a "harm principle". She concluded that the criminalisation of marihuana failed to meet that requirement, and so was unconstitutional. Justices Le Bel and Deschamps did not accept the "harm principle" as a principle of fundamental justice, but they both concluded that the law was arbitrary and therefore infringed the principles of fundamental justice.

2007: R. v. Long (Ontario Court of Justice)

The Ontario Court of Justice held in R. v. Long that the prohibition in the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act against the possession of cannabis were unconstitutional in the absence of an accompanying constitutionally acceptable exemption for medical cannabis. The current exemption depended on the government supplying cannabis, which it was only doing as a result of the policy. However, the policy did not impose a legal obligation upon the government to supply cannabis to those who needed it for medical purposes. The court held that without such an obligation, the exemption was constitutionally unacceptable, as access to marijuana depended on the implementation of a policy rather than the application of a law. If the government wanted to control the supply of cannabis, it had to impose an obligation upon itself to supply marijuana to eligible persons. The court held that if the government was obliged by law to supply cannabis in accordance with the policy, the exemption would be constitutionally acceptable.[57]

A notice of appeal was filed by the Crown on 23 August 2007.

Was overturned by Superior Court judge in 2008[58]

2007: R. v. Bodnar/Hall/Spasic (Ontario Court of Justice)

In R. v. Bodnar/Hall/Spasic, the Ontario Court of Justice followed the Long decision, holding that the prohibition against possession of cannabis in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act is invalid and of no force or effect. Hon. Justice Edmonson stated in his ruling that "there is no offence known to law that the accused have committed."

2008: Sfetkopoulos v. Canada (Federal Court of Canada)

As of 10 January 2008, Justice Barry Strayer of the Federal Court of Canada struck down the federal regulations concerning the growing of medical cannabis by licensed producers. Prior to the case, a producer was prohibited from growing for more than one person. The Marijuana Medical Access Regulations require all medical cannabis users to obtain their prescription from a limited number of sources:

  • Personally grown
  • Produced by a designated individual for that person
  • From a licensed dealer

At the time, there was only a single licensed dealer in Canada, which grew in Manitoba and processed in Saskatchewan, making it difficult to access. A multitude of users requested a single designate, of which all applications were denied except for one. This regulatory structure was, they argued, a violation of the Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, because it forced sufferers to go through illicit channels to obtain medical cannabis, to which they were legally entitled. Thus, they were being forced to break the law in order to ensure their constitutionally-protected right to "security of the person."

The court agreed with this reasoning and struck down subsection 41(b.1)[59] as being of no force or effect.

This, however, does not concern the non-medical use of cannabis.

2011: R. v. Mernagh (Ontario Superior Court)

On April 12, 2011, Justice Donald Taliano found that Canada's Marijuana Medical Access Regulations (MMAR) and "the prohibitions against the possession and production of cannabis contained in sections 4 and 7 respectively of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act" are "constitutionally invalid and of no force and effect".[60] The government was given 90 days (until 11 July) to fill the void in those sections, or the possession and cultivation of cannabis would become legal in all of Ontario. This includes the non-medical use of the drug.[61]

The mid-July deadline was extended when federal government lawyers argued that current cannabis laws and regulations should stay in place until Ontario's highest court could hear the appeal, which took place over the 7th and 8 May 2012.[62] In granting the deadline extension, the Court of Appeal noted that "The practical effect of the decision if the suspension were permitted to expire on 14 July would be to legalize cannabis production in Ontario, if not across Canada."[63] The decision released February 1, 2013 states that the Ontario's Appeals Court has upheld current cannabis laws in Canada, overturning the decision made by the lower court judge in 2011.[64] In the decision, the appeals court ruled that the lower court judge had made several errors in striking down Canada's cannabis laws, citing an absence of a constitutional right to use medical cannabis. The court also stated that Mernagh failed to provide evidence from a doctor that he met the criteria for the use of medical marijuana. The decision was met with criticism and disappointment from many in Canada, including the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network. After the ruling, they restated Mernagh's (and many other medical marijuana users in Canada) issue with the current cannabis rules: "Allowing the current regulations to stand unchanged will leave many people with serious health conditions without effective access to legal authorization to use cannabis as medicine."

2015: R v. Smith (Supreme Court of Canada)

The Supreme Court ruled in this case that the restrictions limiting authorized patients to dried marijuana under the MMAR and the MMPR were unconstitutional.[65]

2016: Allard et al v. Regina

Injunctive relief granted by Judge Manson to those previously licensed under MMAR within certain dates. MMPR declared unconstitutional by BC Superior Court, declaration suspended for 6 months to allow government time to respond to ruling and reincorporate personal production.[66]

The steps to legalization

After the Liberal party formed a majority government after the Canadian federal election, 2015, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that a federal-provincial-territorial process was being created to discuss a jointly suitable process for decriminalizing Cannabis in Canada for personal use. The plan is to remove cannabis consumption and incidental possession from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.[11] In November 2015, Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould said that she and the ministers of Health and Public Safety were working on specifics as to the legislation.[67] During an annual celebration of cannabis culture in April 2016, Health Minister Jane Philpott announced the government's plan to introduce new legislation to the House of Commons the following spring.[68]

Since that time, some people with minor convictions for cannabis possession are asking whether the Government of Canada plans to give them pardons that would allow them to travel to the United States and to get employment in certain fields. As of 22 December 2015, a decision had not yet been made in this regard. Wilson-Raybould said that conversations with various levels of government will be required before making a decision on this issue.[69]

While the legislation is expected to be enacted in 2017, making Cannabis in Canada legal for all intents and purposes. Sales for recreational use will probably not commence until January 2018 according to Canada's Parliamentary Budget Officer.[70] Until legislation is enacted, marijuana remains illegal (except with a physician's prescription, for medical purposes).[2]

Naturally, the substance will be taxed, producing revenues of $618 million per year initially and eventually, billions, according to a report by Canada's Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO).[71] (A recent government estimate indicates that the illegal marijuana industry is worth $7-billion per year.)[72]

The Liberal Party of Canada tabled bill c-45, "An Act respecting cannabis" which was put forward to Parliament on April 13, 2017 with the intent of legalizing recreational use of Cannabis by July 1, 2018.[73] Bill C-45, was in the Parliamentary process in late August 2017.[74] Meetings were to be held September 11–15, 2017 and a report was expected by parliament by the end of September.

In the lead-up to marijuana legalization in 2017, The Globe and Mail conducted an investigation into the use of chemicals by federally regulated marijuana companies. Their findings concluded the use of chemicals was far worse than the government knew. On December 31 the spokeswoman for Health Canada, Tammy Jarbeau, said, the government will "provide the Minister of Health with the authority to issue an administrative monetary penalty of up to $1-million per violation to a licensed producer for a violation of the Act or its regulations."[citation needed]

Positions of Canadian political parties

The Liberal Party of Canada supports the legalization and regulation of cannabis for recreational use.[67][75] Prime Minister Justin Trudeau supports ending the prohibition of marijuana and has defended his and the party's stance multiple times since announcing his candidacy for party leader.[76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86] Since the Liberals won a majority of the seats in the House of Commons during the Canadian federal election, 2015, the Trudeau government will have no difficulty passing legislation to make cannabis legal particularly with the expected support of all Members of the opposition parties in Parliament.

The Conservative Party of Canada favours decriminalization of cannabis.[87][88][89] Former Prime Minister of Canada and CPC leader Stephen Harper is quoted as saying, "Tobacco is a product that does a lot of damage. Marijuana is infinitely worse and it's something that we do not want to encourage."[90][91][92] Past CPC interim leader Rona Ambrose had on multiple occasions reiterated Mr. Harper's position, but had also stated that she wanted Mr. Trudeau's government to "get a move on" with their plan.[93]

The New Democratic Party supported the legalization and regulation of cannabis as of the federal election of 2015.[94] The NDP have promised to immediately decriminalize cannabis should they form government.[95] The NDP party leader Thomas Mulcair publicly clarified his support for decriminalization in 2012.[96]

The Green Party of Canada supports regulation and taxation of cannabis.[97]

The Bloc Québécois supports the decriminalization of cannabis.[98]

The Libertarian Party of Canada supports ending drug prohibition, including cannabis.[99]

The Marijuana Party of Canada champions cannabis legalization at the federal level. Provincial parties also exist, including the British Columbia Marijuana Party and Bloc pot.

The Christian Heritage Party rejects the decriminalization of cannabis and demands the prohibition be maintained for the health and safety of Canadian society and Canadian youth.[100]

See also

References

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ a b Benzie, Robert (3 December 2016). "Trudeau urges police to 'enforce the law' on marijuana". Toronto Star. Toronto. Retrieved 4 December 2016. A "frustrated" Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wants police to enforce the law and criminally charge illegal marijuana dispensaries.
  3. ^ a b c "Controlled Drugs and Substances Act – Schedule II". Government of Canada. 6 November 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations". laws-lois.justice.gc.ca. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  5. ^ a b R v Malmo‑Levine; R v Caine, [2003] 3 SCR 571, 2003 SCC 74.
  6. ^ "Ontario Court Ruling on Medical Marijuana". About.com. 8 June 2000. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  7. ^ "Ontario closer than ever to legalization of marijuana". National Post. 13 April 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  8. ^ a b "Procedures for Accessing Dried Marijuana for Medical Purposes Under the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations". Health Canada. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  9. ^ "Public Opinion and Illicit Drugs - Canadian Attitudes towards Decriminalizing the Use of Marijuana" (PDF). The Fraser Institute. April 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ "7 in 10 Canadians support marijuana legalization". CTV News. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  11. ^ a b Bronskill, Jim (17 December 2015). "Tax on legalized pot won't be a cash cow: PM". CTV News. Bell Media. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  12. ^ Cochrane, David (26 March 2017). "Liberals to announce marijuana will be legal by July 1, 2018". CBC. CBC. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  13. ^ "Globe editorial: Why marijuana prohibition failed, and how legalization can succeed". theglobeandmail.com. 22 September 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  14. ^ Perspectives on Canadian Drug Policy Archived 25 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine. John Howard Society. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
  15. ^ a b c Hewitt, Steve (2004). ""While Unpleasant It Is a Service to Humanity":The RCMP's War on Drugs in the Interwar Period". Journal of Canadian Studies. 38 (2): 84.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Carstairs, Catherine (2000). ""Hop Heads and Hypes": Drug Use, Regulation and Resistance in Canada, 1920–1961" (PDF). Phd dissertation. Universityof Toronto. Retrieved 2 January 2008. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  17. ^ Daniel, Schartz (3 May 2014). "Marijuana was criminalized in 1923, but why?". CBC News. Retrieved 29 July 2014. The only mention of the proposed changes to the schedule recorded in Hansard was on April 23, when Beland told the House of Commons, "There is a new drug in the schedule."
  18. ^ House of Commons of Canada (23 April 1923). "Narcotic Drugs Act Amendment Bill". House of Commons Debates, 14th Parliament, 2nd Session. 3: 2124.
    Mr. LADNER: Suppose the accused is only fined?
    Mr. BELAND: Under section 4 of this act it is provided that he must not only be fined but sentenced to imprisonment...
    On the schedule:
    Mr. BELAND: There is a new drug in the schedule.
    Bill reported, read the third time, and passed.
  19. ^ Schwartz, Daniel (3 May 2014). "Marijuana was criminalized in 1923, but why?". CBC News. CBC. Retrieved 18 December 2016. The new bill added three drugs to the proscribed list: heroin, codeine and "cannabis indica (Indian hemp) or hasheesh." The only mention of the proposed changes to the schedule recorded in Hansard was on April 23, when Beland told the House of Commons, "There is a new drug in the schedule."
  20. ^ Yedlin, Deborah (18 March 2009). "To some, it's the Infamous Five". Globe and Mail. Toronto. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  21. ^ House, Yolande (May 2003). "The Grandmother of Marijuana Prohibition" (PDF). Collections Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  22. ^ Bourrie, Mark (30 September 2012). "A pioneer in the war on pot". National Post. Toronto. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  23. ^ Schwartz, Daniel (3 May 2014). "Marijuana was criminalized in 1923, but why?". CBC News. Retrieved 18 December 2016. ...it's understandable why people would later link the decision to The Black Candle. But Carstairs says it's probably just happenstance.
  24. ^ Vera Rubin (1 January 1975). Cannabis and Culture. Walter de Gruyter. pp. 497–. ISBN 978-3-11-081206-0.
  25. ^ Hathaway, Andrew (2009). "The Legal History and Cultural Experience of Cannabis". Here to Help. Here to Help. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  26. ^ Canada. Parliament. Senate. Special Committee on Illegal Drugs; Colin Kenny; Pierre Claude Nolin (2003). Cannabis: Report of the Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs. University of Toronto Press. pp. 59–. ISBN 978-0-8020-8630-3.
  27. ^ Ahmed, Sabeena (1993). "THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA". Utoronto. University of Toronto. Retrieved 17 December 2016. A few years later marijuana became popular in Canada and its use escalated into a "marijuana boom" world-over in the 1960s with the hippie movement.
  28. ^ a b Leah Spicer (12 April 2002). Library of Parliament. Parliament of Canada http://www.parl.gc.ca/content/sen/committee/371/ille/library/spicer-e.htm#B. Retrieved 16 December 2016. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  29. ^ Robert Rutherdale; Magda Fahrni (1 July 2008). Creating Postwar Canada: Community, Diversity, and Dissent, 1945–75. UBC Press. pp. 318–. ISBN 978-0-7748-5815-1.
  30. ^ Hathaway, Andrew (2009). "The Legal History and Cultural Experience of Cannabis". Here to Help. Here to Help. Retrieved 16 December 2016. In Canada, the government rejected the Le Dain proposal to remove criminal penalties for cannabis possession.
  31. ^ Cain, Patrick (12 October 2016). "Canada will see 900,000 new pot smokers under legalization, poll implies". Global News. Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  32. ^ Skerrit, Jen (30 November 2016). "Marijuana producer jumps 356% as Canada's investor pot frenzy intensifies". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  33. ^ "Rock stars, actors getting in on Canada's race to legal weed". Ottawa Citizen. 3 April 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  34. ^ "Marijuana industry seeks 'creative ways' to brand product | The Star". thestar.com. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  35. ^ Textile Horizons. ITBD. 2005. p. 119.
  36. ^ "Industrial hemp now legal in Canada!". Cannabis Culture. 1 July 1998. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  37. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions – Medical Use of Marihuana". Health Canada. 13 June 2005. Retrieved 23 September 2009.
  38. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions – Medical Marihuana". Hc-sc.gc.ca. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  39. ^ "The Economic Case for Marijuana Legalization in Canada". Journal of Alternative Perspectives in the Social Sciences. 5 (1): 96–100. 1 December 2012.
  40. ^ "Authorized Licensed Producers under the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations". Health Canada. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  41. ^ "Medical Use of Marijuana – Regulations no longer in effect". Health Canada. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  42. ^ "R. v. Smith, Supreme Court Judgments". The Supreme Court of Canada. Archived from the original on 13 June 2015. Retrieved 2015-07-05. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  43. ^ The Canadian Press (27 May 2016). "186 charges laid in Project Claudia raids | Editors Picks". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  44. ^ "Project Claudia raids 'created fear again,' Toronto doctor says". Metronews.ca. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  45. ^ "Pot dispensary raids lead to arrest of 90 people: police". Toronto.ctvnews.ca. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  46. ^ Campbell, Duncan (20 July 2002). "US cannabis refugees cross border". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
  47. ^ "Harper's crime agenda getting mixed reviews". CTV.ca. 3 April 2006. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  48. ^ "Preventing Harm from Psychoative Substance Use" (PDF). November 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  49. ^ "Los Angeles Times". Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  50. ^ "Speaking Notes for Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice of Canada, 2007-11-20". Justice.gc.ca. 14 November 2007. Archived from the original on 10 December 2007. Retrieved 17 February 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  51. ^ "Bill C-15 Dead, For Now | Cannabis Culture Magazine". Cannabisculture.com. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  52. ^ "Bill S-10: Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Marijuana | Cannabis Culture Magazine". Cannabisculture.com. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  53. ^ Ian Austen (13 April 2017), "Trudeau Unveils Bill Legalizing Recreational Marijuana in Canada", The New York Times
  54. ^ Canada introduces legislation to legalize marijuana, Associated Press, 13 April 2017 – via Fox News
  55. ^ "2000 CanLII 5762 (ON C.A.)". CanLII. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  56. ^ "COURT FILE NO.: 03-CR-00002" (PDF). 2003. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  57. ^ "2007 ONCJ 340". CanLII. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
  58. ^ R. v. Long, 2008 CanLII 64390 (ON SC), <http://canlii.ca/t/21sxf>, retrieved on 2018-03-10
  59. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 2016-05-13. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  60. ^ "Ontario judge declares criminalization of pot unconstitutional (bad source)". Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  61. ^ "Medical marijuana law gets reprieve". Toronto Sun. 22 June 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  62. ^ 14 August 2011 by Matt Mernagh (14 August 2011). "Ontario Court of Appeal Dates Chosen R v. Mernagh | Matt Mernagh". Mernagh.ca. Retrieved 9 November 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  63. ^ "Ontario's burning pot controversy". Toronto Sun. 3 July 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  64. ^ "Pot stays illegal in Canada after Appeal Court upholds medical marijuana laws". Calgary Herald. 1 February 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  65. ^ "R. v. Smith – SCC Cases (Lexum)".
  66. ^ http://cas-cdc-www02.cas-satj.gc.ca/rss/T-2030-13%20reasons%2024-02-2016%20(ENG).pdf cas-cdc-www02.cas-satj.gc.ca/rss/T-2030-13%20reasons%2024-02-2016%20(ENG).pdf
  67. ^ a b Lunn, Susan (28 November 2015). "'World is going to be looking to Canada' on pot legalization, Jane Philpott says". CBC News. CBC/Radio Canada. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  68. ^ "Marijuana legislation coming to Canada next spring". The Star. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  69. ^ Kane, Laura (22 December 2015). "Canadians with marijuana convictions call on Trudeau to offer pardons". Globe and Mail. Toronto, Ontario. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  70. ^ Cullen, Catherine (1 November 2016). "Legal marijuana could raise federal cash — but not right away, PBO says". CBC News. CBC. Retrieved 4 December 2016. as early as January 2018
  71. ^ Cullen, Catherine (1 November 2016). "Legal marijuana could raise federal cash — but not right away, PBO says". CBC News. CBC. Retrieved 4 December 2016. In the first three years, it expects the number of cannabis users aged 15 and over to grow by more than half a million, rising to an estimated 5.2 million in 2021.
  72. ^ Cryderman, Kelley (27 November 2016). "Report on Canada's marijuana legalization due this week". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  73. ^ "LEGISinfo - House Government Bill C-45 (42-1)". www.parl.ca. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  74. ^ Valiante, Giuseppe (28 August 2017). "Provinces agree legal pot must be competitive with black market, Bill Blair says". Retrieved 12 January 2018 – via Toronto Star.
  75. ^ Taber, Jane (15 January 2012). "Yes to the Queen, no to infighting: highlights of the Liberal convention". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  76. ^ "Trudeau talks drug law reforms to Pickering crowd". The Toronto Observer. 16 October 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  77. ^ "Trudeau supports decriminalization of marijuana". The Guardian. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  78. ^ "Justin Trudeau wants to legalize marijuana in order to 'keep it out of the hands of our kids'". The National Post. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  79. ^ "Justin Trudeau tells Vancouver supporters his thinking has 'evolved' on marijuana legalization". The Vancouver Sun. 28 August 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  80. ^ "Trudeau warns kids about pot; MacKay objects". Winnipeg Free Press. 15 November 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  81. ^ "Justin Trudeau: Legalization Of Pot In U.S. States Important To Watch". The Huffington Post. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  82. ^ "Justin Trudeau defends marijuana stance, says he won't let Tory attack ads knock him off course". The National Post. 17 August 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  83. ^ "Trudeau defends pot legalization policy". Cochrane Times. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  84. ^ "Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau talks jobs, marijuana, and other hot topics in Durham". Durham Region. 26 September 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  85. ^ "Trudeau promises to legalize marijuana, not sell it in depanneurs". CTV News. 3 September 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  86. ^ "Liberals 'committed' to legalizing marijuana: Trudeau". CBC News. 1 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  87. ^ Culberson, Dan. "Canadian Conservatives Joined The 21st Century This Past Weekend". Civilized – Cannabis Culture Elevated. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  88. ^ "Andrew Coyne: Conservatives seem liberated by their election defeat". National Post. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  89. ^ "Conservatives drop same sex marriage ban in refresh of party, policy | Metro News". metronews.ca. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  90. ^ "Harper says no decriminalization of pot on his watch". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 25 November 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  91. ^ "Harper says Canadians don't want marijuana legalized". Global News. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  92. ^ "Stephen Harper calls marijuana 'infinitely worse' than tobacco". CBC News. 16 October 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
  93. ^ "Rona Ambrose Softens Tone On Liberal Plan To Legalize Marijuana". Huffington Post Canada. 21 January 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
  94. ^ "Tom Mulcair says NDP government would move to legalize marijuana". CBC News. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  95. ^ "Mulcair pledges NDP will decriminalize pot 'the minute we form government'". CBC News. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  96. ^ "Mulcair clarifies stand on marijuana in time for 4/20 'pot holiday'". The Globe and Mail. 20 April 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  97. ^ "Greens welcome new Liberal marijuana policy | Green Party of Canada". Greenparty.ca. 17 January 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  98. ^ Khoo, Lisa (May 2001). "Up in smoke? Canada's marijuana law and the debate over decriminalization". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  99. ^ "Civil Order | Official Site of the Libertarian Party of Canada". Libertarian.ca. Archived from the original on 21 June 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  100. ^ "Stop Marijuana Legalization in 30 Minutes or Less". chp.ca. 14 November 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2018.

Further reading

Canada. Parliament. Senate. Special Committee on Illegal Drugs; Colin Kenny; Pierre Claude Nolin (2003). Cannabis: Report of the Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 978-0-8020-8630-3.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Legal_history_of_cannabis_in_Canada&oldid=861616739"