Session: Reflections on Participating in the Canadian Federal Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation with Susan Boyd
Topics Covered:
- Community participation and support
- Current cannabis legislation
- Cannabis legalization framework
Key Learnings: As mentioned in other sessions throughout the week, social and traditional media can heavily influence society’s perceptions of current events and issues. In the case of cannabis legalization, media portrayal is either good or bad, never neutral. Overall, there is value in cannabis use as individuals have been able to substitute cannabis for opioids and there has never been a marijuana overdose. Many members of society recognize these advantages, thus they want to make an impact and contribution to policy. The Canadian Federal Task Force on Cannabis received 30 written submissions of support and contribution from coalitions groups and organizations. While there are many challenges and restraints when it comes to policy-making, the efforts and goodwill of the public can make a difference when they want to see a change in an issue they are passionate about. Currently, dispensaries and compassion clubs are not legal; only forty-one mail order cannabis growers are federally-regulated. The proposed framework for legalization recommends many regulations. This includes: minimum age for possession
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I understood that cannabis legislation is enacted at the federal level, however, I now recognize that municipal governments make by-laws to operate illegal dispensaries. Moreover, the local police can address marijuana possession on their own terms. As Susan mentioned, Victoria police do not usually arrest individuals for possession of marijuana if it is a small amount. Once marijuana is legalized it will be provincially mandated, thus certain aspects, such as minimum age for possession, can be
In their article, Welsh and Loria start off by saying how medical marijuana has been legalized in more than 20 states(Paragraph 1) and how even CNN’s medical correspondent has changed his stance on medical marijuana(Paragraph 2). People are still stuck between whether marijuana should be legal or not, but most can agree that medical marijuana is “okay”. They go on to show that more and more studies are being conducted to try and understand how the drug is beneficial. Loria and Welsh then go on to write about the potential benefits of marijuana. In a study conducted by the National Eye Institute, they found that marijuana lowered intraocular pressure for people with glaucoma and those without(Paragraph 10). The next benefit that they mention, which this was has caused lots of controversy, is that marijuana stops cancer from spreading. A research done at California Pacific Medical Center has shown that CBD, cannabidiol, could help
In the society we live in, everybody wants to be right. People will have their own unique stance on any controversial subject, and marijuana is no different. Marijuana is a very important topic of discussion especially in the current election season. The drug is discussed on television, social media, and virtually everywhere on the internet. In the article “This Is Why Marijuana Should Be Legal Everywhere” associate viral content editor for The Huffington Post, Renee Jacques, challenges traditional notions of the prohibition of marijuana by brilliantly using rhetorical appeals to persuade you to join the majority. Contrary to Jacques, John Hawkins, writer for www.townhall.com, takes a different stance in his article “5 Reasons Marijuana Should Remain Illegal” holding tight to the traditional, negative view of the drug by using a mixture of logos and pathos to make you question why any human with a brain would smoke cannabis. Although both writers use rhetorical strategies to persuade you to their respective side of the argument, the differing degrees the authors use those strategies renders Jacques’ article much more persuasive to a general audience.
State and federal law are in direct conflict in this situation and although the state will not take action against those that they have given the ability to sale and distribute marijuana for medical purposes but the problem that exists with this is that the federal law does not allow the sale of marijuana and they will take action against those that have state permission to establish one of these medical marijuana stores. At the federal level, marijuana remains classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, where Schedule I substances are considered to have a high potential for dependency and no accepted medical use, making distribution of marijuana a federal offense (NCSL, 2014).
Cannabis is a popular topic amongst teens, adults and medical doctors these days. Cannabis, also known as marijuana, pot, weed and hash can be quite controversial across America, since you have those who disapprove and those who condone its use. You might know someone who uses it, or maybe you have even tried it before. They say more than 1 in 3 people in America have tried marijuana at one point in their lives (Web MD). As of 2017, 29 states plus the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana to some extent (Healthline). Recreational use of marijuana has been legalized in 8 states, with the age restriction being 21 years or older (CNN).
A licensing committee voted 4-1 in favour of Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne’s proposal of selling marijuana in only LCBO type shops that are government run. This comes in preparation of federal legalization of the substance by next year. The vote also renders Ontario responsible for covering any citywide costs that are in relation with ending the pot embargo and new legislative tools, which up penalties for illegal pot shop owners and establishments where the plant is smoked. Ontario is moving for the consumption of pot only to be legal in private homes. This creates an upset for the Marijuana community as smoking in areas where it has been legally consumed over the years will no longer be allowed.
Legalizing marijuana has become one of the most talked about topics in Canada. The Canadian Government has many considerations to digest before they legalize the drug
The issue of whether or not to legalize marijuana in Canada is not a contemporary one. In fact, the debate surrounding the legalization of marijuana dates back as far as the 1960’s and exists in some frameworks to this day. With such a lengthy history, comes a past of distinct socio-economic and political policies, outlining what “appropriate” marijuana usage should look like. From prohibition to complete legalization, this essay will outline the history surrounding the legalization of marijuana, from its socio-economic and political frameworks, while simultaneously identifying the institutions and actors involved in its development.
The Marijuana laws in Canada today are unresolved, as superior courts have ruled all cannabis laws to be of “no force or effect”.
The marijuana legalization movement is one of the most controversial social movements of the modern day. Efforts to reform marijuana policy have been organized since the mid 1900s. There are two major organizations leading the battle for marijuana decriminalization. The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and the Marijuana Project Policy (MPP) are both looking to reschedule and eventually legalize marijuana for the use of responsible adults. These two organizations provide various strategies that, along with additional tactics from other sources, have strongly influenced the position of the marijuana legalization social movement. The mobilization of resources is strongly influenced by the two leading organizations
The Conservative government is considering making legal changes the allow police to, instead of laying charges, issue ticket to those caught with tiny amounts of marijuana. However, these legal changes should not be interpreted as either a legalization or decriminalization of marijuana. Rather they should be interpreted as additional enforcement measures that, should they need them, are available to police officers. Likewise, there is good reason to believe that this novel ‘ticketing system’ would only apply to simple possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana. Additionally, these tickets would function similarly to those administered for speeding, outlining a fine or presenting a court option, also people who decide to go with the court option have the ability to represent themselves or have legal counsel. However, even if the government appears to be softening up when it comes to the legalities surrounding marijuana possession, it had not long ago passed legislation that toughened laws regarding marijuana possession with the purpose of trafficking, such as in the case of the 2012 Safe Streets and Communities Act. Furthermore, some, like the NORML Women’s Alliance of Canada, say that the purposed ‘ticketing system’ does not go far enough and is only “a halfway measure.”
Of course, there would be strict regulation regarding marijuana should this law come in to place. The federal government would be responsible for setting strict requirement for producers, set industry-wide standards, including: the type of marijuana products permitted for sale, packaging requirement, serving sizes and potency, restricting certain ingredients, good production practices, tracking of marijuana to prevent it from making it to the illicit market, and limitations on promotional activities. The provincial governments would be responsible to oversee the distribution and sale of marijuana, making sure they meet the conditions set by the federal government. They are also permitted to increase the minimum age for possession, lower the personal possession limit, create additional rules for home growth, and restrict the number of places adults are permitted to consume marijuana. (Service Canada,
They have to qualify for the use of it and have to get medical consent. Anyone can get a license or the changing social designations attached to marijuana, as it is both criminal and medical topics in a late modern era of crime control (O'Brien, 2013). This information helps because it statement is talking about my view of the control of the drug. The law of Marijuana and medicine legalization on who can scribe its practice and who can get the marijuana. It is a crime to have or carry if it is not the person prescription like any other medical drug. This drug can be used for a lot of thing reduces pain, for example: Chronic pain, hiv/aids, glaucoma and
Currently, possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana is often dealt with through a fine. However, this penalty will heighten as premiers and chiefs are in favor of zero tolerance, early enforcement, and early diversion and rehabilitation. Associations are concerned about any attempts to allow the medicinal use of the drug (King, 1999). We should be eliminating any thoughts of this drug being available.
Within today’s society, Cannabis is seen as a harmful substance of such negative controversy. Marijuana is a very prominent and controversial issue in society today. Despite many malicious allegations have been made regarding marijuana today, the truth of what marijuana’s real dangers are are beginning to come about again. Sadly, these facts have been held under considerable judgement because of what people stereotype a pot smoker as. This has been brought under heavy criticism due to the stereotypical view of what people view as the typical “pot smoker.” This image society has of a lazy and unambitious America has all been the result of almost one hundred years of false propaganda and stereotypes gossiped by certain private individuals trying to keep weed illegal for their own personal benefit.
Legalization or decriminalization of marijuana is opposed by a vast majority of American’s and people around the world. Leaders in Marijuana prevention, education, treatment, and law enforcement adamantly oppose the substance, as do many political leaders. However, pro-drug advocacy groups, who support the use of illegal drugs, are making headlines. They are influencing decision making thru legislation and having a significant impact on the national policy debate here in the United States and in other countries. The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) is the oldest drug user lobby in the U.S. It has strong ties to the Libertarian party, the Drug Policy Foundation, and the American Civil Liberties Union.