Over the long period of human history, drugs that alter mental functioning have been consumed internationally around the world including marijuana. Canada is not an exception. Cannabis or also known as marijuana is the most popularly used illegal substance in Canada over the decades(Substance Abuse in Canada, 2015, pg.3). Many of illegal substances are broadly termed as psychoactive drugs and these substances including cannabis are consumed for many different purposes. Marijuana is sometimes consumed by many people for meditational purpose as part of the treatment of illness or diseases. On the other hand, there are people use marijuana as their personal enjoyment or curiosity. Thus, drug policy is a necessary social tool in our society to
To begin with, analyzing the socio-historical context of the use of marijuana in Canada will allow a better understanding of the severity of the punishment for marijuana related crime, meaning that we will be looking at the history of the criminal law involving cannabis and how the laws have change over time. Analyzing the history of the laws containing marijuana will present how the value and views within a society can influence a creation of new laws and policy. Cannabis has always been ban and prohibited, but unlike in 2016 where the laws involving marijuana is quite forgiving, in the past, the punishment for possessing marijuana was much more severe. The possession and use of cannabis was deemed to be criminal in the eyes of the law. The
Legalizing the use of marijuana has been an ongoing debate since it was first classified as a narcotic in the Narcotic Act in 1970 (Napchan et al, 2011). Once defined as a narcotic, cannabis was made unattainable through a pharmacist, or through prescription by a physician (Napchan et al, 2011). Cannabis, also known as “marijuana”, refers to any preparation of the cannabis plant, most of which are intended for use as a psychoactive substance (Napchan et al, 2011). Marijuana has many benefits in Canada if legalization were to occur. Canada’s economy would benefit greatly from the legalization of marijuana by boosting taxation dollars, as well as creating jobs for many Canadians. Not only would the economy benefit, but communities would benefit
Canada has a history in debating the use of cannabis and the circumstances when it can be beneficial for the consumer and for society as a whole. The Canadian federal government encourages "protection for ill Canadians with degenerative health diseases" (Jacob 2009, 210). The federal government considers that the
This paper contributes to the debate on legalization of cannabis in Canada, which appears to be one of the most important issues to discuss, but the research focuses on the outcomes of implementing the bill that would legalize marijuana for recreational purposes. This article examines the economic consequences of legalizing cannabis by focusing on regulation and restriction of assess using statistics along with scholarly articles. Our most important contribution is that cannabis could become legal by July 1, 2018, so it is possible that Canadian economy will benefit from this. This study advances our understanding of legalization of marijuana, which is likely to better protect young people from marijuana by providing increased control over
Marijuana is currently a hot topic of debate throughout Canada, and has been for the past few years. Marijuana was first banned in 1923 under the Opium and Drug Act, but since 1997 the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act have controlled it. In 2000, over 30,000 Canadians were charged with possession of marijuana. Currently, the marijuana laws are not enforced equally across the country, which has prompted the interest in changing the laws or possibly decriminalizing marijuana. Also, those convicted of marijuana related crimes usually don't go to jail, but they do receive a criminal record.
Adults who continue to use cannabis are described as those who “disregard drug laws, and fulfill otherwise conventional adult roles” (Erickson, 1989). Cannabis has been shown to help people deal with social and personal issues, while at the same time possibly limiting the closeness that one feels with others (Hendin, Pollinger Haas, Singer, Ellner, and Ulman, 1987). Cannabis has also been shown to be used as a social drug, like alcohol (Reilly et al., 1998). The use of marijuana is starting to “normalize” and become a part of everyday life for many (South, 1999). Importantly, cannabis has been said to help to reduce nausea and vomiting, to prevent weight loss and huger loss, to act as a sedative, and to help with “insomnia, anxiety, depression, epilepsy, and asthma” (British Medical Association, 1997; 2000; 2001). Also, instead of merely using cannabis to get high, many do it to assist with psychological and emotional troubles (Bottorff, JohnsonMoffat, & Mulvogue,
The issue of drug policy is one that has plagued our society for decades now, and will continue to linger until we finally become proactive make some bold decisions. With over twenty thousand deaths each year, in Canada alone, due to illicit substances , this is a problem that must be addressed immediately. Many people know where to turn when they have alcohol addiction issues, most turn to Alcoholics Anonymous for example. Smokers are also offered many incentives and advertisements that deter smoking and help them in their struggle to quit. But, there has been no major campaign or well known foundation to seek help in if you are having problems with other drugs such as heroin, cocaine, LSD, or marijuana. Our problem in Canada is that these drugs are seen as merely a judicial and criminal issue, rather than a public issue which affects each and every one of us in society. In this essay, I will prove that the decriminalization, by the government of all drugs and implementing education on drugs instead will lead to a decline in drug related deaths and social issues.
Throughout history, marijuana and its use in Canada has been surrounded with a myriad of controversy. Since its controversial prohibition in 1923 (Schwartz), marijuana has been a hot point of debate amongst Canadians. Although many believe that marijuana is extremely addictive, has negative effects on brain function and creates more crime, it is painfully obvious that Canada would benefit greatly from the taxing and selling of marijuana. The decriminalization of marijuana will not only salvage hundreds of millions of dollars in wasted law enforcement, but also will create a large financial windfall for the government in addition to directing more citizens to a less harmful drug than alcohol. According to many people who disagree with the sale of marijuana, “marijuana has serious health implications” (Berman). However, a recent study
Alcohol and tobacco are the most widely used psychoactive drugs in Canada, and cause by far the greatest number of harms and costs to the population. The most widely used illicit drug is marijuana, which causes relatively little harm for its level of use. By far the most direct harms from licit and illicit drugs occur in high-risk populations such as injectors, street youth, the inner- city poor, and Natives (Diane, Riley, N.d, 1998). In 2009, Canadians used a wide range of substances. These included alcohol (77%), tobacco (17%), cannabis (25%) among youth aged 15 to 24 and (10%) among all adults, psychoactive pharmaceuticals (26%), cocaine or crack (1.2%), ecstasy (0.9%), LSD (0.7%), speed (0.4%), methamphetamine (0.1%). Most Canadians will
Marijuana is a commonly used street and recreational drug. It is a mood-altering drug affecting most organs in the body. There is evidence stating that marijuana is useful to people suffering from severe pain and chronic health problems, although it is believed that there are still multiple health concerns surrounding the drug (Davis, 2016). It is estimated that nearly 2.3 million Canadians are marijuana users (McDowell, n.d.). Marijuana is not yet legal in Canada, but it appears as though it may become legal in the near future. In 2015, there were 96, 423 drug violation incidents that occurred in Canada. According to StatCan, crimes involving marijuana have decreased, while crimes involving other drugs have increased. (Government of Canada,
"Marijuana is the second most popular drug after alcohol in the country today. So many people smoke marijuana that the numbers alone seem to legitimize and condone its presence in people's lives. Yet, even in moderation marijuana is not 'safe.' Somehow this information had not filtered down to people who think they are smoking a fairly innocuous drug. Our society perpetuates the myths about pot being a fun, harmless, recreational drug. These myths feed into people's denial of marijuana's problems" (Baum 6). However, the abuse of marijuana is a problem. It is not only a personal problem, but also more importantly a social problem. Throughout history marijuana has been used to serve various purposes in many
Cannabis is becoming increasingly widespread and increasingly common in modern-day society for both recreational use and for medication. The article by Craig Reinarman, ‘Criminalisation, legalisation and the mixed blessing of medicalisation in the USA’ generates many controversial issues of cannabis.
In the span of 2013-14 the reports of drugs in Australia increased. There were record high reporting’s of many types of illicit drugs at the border patrol. Furthermore, many other illicit drugs had their second highest reporting in history. Cannabis is the most common drug in Australia. The number of detections of cannabis in 2013-2014 decreased, but the total weight of detected cannabis at the border control increased dramatically and was the biggest cannabis find in the last decade (Australian Drug Commission 2014). In the draft for the National Drug Strategy 2016-2025 cannabis is mentioned as a priority drug as it is the most common used illegal drug (Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs 2015). As the recent news that the Australian government is planning to legalise growing of medical cannabis there a gap in the policy of how to regulate medical cannabis and cannabis used as an illicit drug (Yaxley 2015).
Currently drug abuse is the issue that has plagued almost all the societies in the world. This problem poses serious threat to the life of people both in developed and underdeveloped countries. There are different kinds of drugs such as heroin, cocaine, cannabis, hallucinogens, ecstasy, and methamphetamine and so on (McGeorge & Aitken, 1997). Young and age-old people largely use many of these drugs. People usually consider these drugs as a relief from their worries, but these drugs lead them towards addition and psychotic disorders that eventually destroy their health. Legislative authorities in almost every part of the world have been trying to save their generations from the abuse, but the use of these drugs never ended. However, these legislations help to minimize the numbers of drug users where their implementation is done properly (Hall et al., 2004). The aim of this research paper is to provide knowledge about the Cannabis Legalization in Australia and the people’s approach who favor or oppose this legalization. Cannabis drug use, impacts, cannabis legalization in Australia and its advantages and disadvantages will also
Drugs are heavily used throughout the entire world. However, it is important to understand and not undermine the variability in which drugs are used. It is clear some are for distinct medical treatment and others are for recreational use. In the United States, marijuana has been and continues to be a very controversial drug. Some states have allowed marijuana consumption for medicinal purposes, while others have completely outlawed the drug. Those who are against the legalization and regulation of marijuana suggest the economical and health risk associated with consumption of the drug are too high. Although there is risk involved with the legalization of the marijuana, our country has already been risking too much banning the drug.