Opinion
Cannabis legalization in Canada: the case for pardons and preferential licensing
By Akwasi Owusu-Bempah Jan. 22, 2018
This law, and many that followed, had a considerable negative impact on the very groups that their proponents so often purported to help. At a time when Canada once again stands at the forefront of international drug law, we should set an example to the world by providing redress for the harms we now know we have inflicted.
The federal government also recently announced a plan to spur a 'diverse and competitive' industry by establishing different tiers of licences required for participation in the legal market, writes Akwasi Owusu-Bempah. The Hill Times file photograph
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s proposed date for legalizing the recreational use of cannabis is fast approaching and the Senate is debating Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act. Given the social harms associated with drug prohibition, legalization cannot come soon enough. We also need to go further and right past wrongs by pardoning those convicted of minor cannabis offences and by giving preference to those most targeted by Canada’s war on drugs when we issue cultivation and distribution licences.
Related Stories
Explore, analyze, understand
Going Green
Key players, committee meetings, debates, highlights from Question Period, press releases on Bill C-45, The Cannabis Act, as well as stories on the topic.
Get the book
Key players, committee meetings, debates, highlights from Question Period, press releases on Bill C-45, The Cannabis Act, as well as stories on the topic.
Get the book
The federal response to the opioid crisis
Summarizes the work on the opioid crisis that is going on at the federal level: what the House of Commons and the Senate have been listening to and acting on to help stop and mitigate this tragedy.
Get the book
Summarizes the work on the opioid crisis that is going on at the federal level: what the House of Commons and the Senate have been listening to and acting on to help stop and mitigate this tragedy.
Get the book
Hill Times Research
The daily tracking service for Health Industry Professionals. Curated health news and analysis.
Get the research
The daily tracking service for Health Industry Professionals. Curated health news and analysis.
Get the research
Related Policy Briefings
Infrastructure: 04-12-2017
Short and informative analyses on policy challenges that bring background and recommendations to policymakers, journalists and the general public.
Read policy briefing
Short and informative analyses on policy challenges that bring background and recommendations to policymakers, journalists and the general public.
Read policy briefing
Aviation Policy Briefing
Short and informative analyses on policy challenges that bring background and recommendations to policymakers, journalists and the general public.
Read policy briefing
Short and informative analyses on policy challenges that bring background and recommendations to policymakers, journalists and the general public.
Read policy briefing
Politics This Morning
Your email has been added. An email has been sent to your address, please click the link inside of it to confirm your subscription.
More in News
House leaders keep each other in the dark as last push on legislation begins before fall election
MPs will debate a motion to extend sitting hours until midnight for the four remaining weeks on Monday, as the government aims to pass the 20 active bills still before Parliament.Liberal MPs want Finance Minister Morneau to revisit mortgage stress test
The construction industry in the Metro Vancouver area is the equivalent of the oil and gas industry in Alberta, says Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal.Make it personal: lessons in political fundraising from gurus in Washington, Ottawa
A U.S. Democrat and Canadian Conservative outline the dos and donts for a modern political fundraising campaign.Meslin’s first-ever book a condemnation of and prescription for all that ails modern Canadian politics
As in a forest, old trees fall down to make way for the new—and there’s ‘a bunch of old dead trees in Ottawa’ right now, says Mr. Meslin. Bob Joseph’s new book, Indigenous Relations, a traveller’s guide for the long road to reconciliation
Understanding the history, context, and customs of Indigenous peoples goes a long way to improving Indigenous relations and achieving reconciliation, says author Bob Joseph. Lobbyists seek clarity after watchdog warns political statements risk contravening code
‘This may keep individuals from participating in the political process,' says Ottawa lobbyist Scott Thurlow.All eyes on Red Chamber, as Senators push back on key government bills
Senators have proposed dozens of changes to the Liberals' impact assessment and gun bills, have concerns about its solitary confinement legislation, and recommended its tanker-ban bill not proceed. House may need to sit in summer to pass new NAFTA deal, says Trade Committee chair
‘I've never seen that before, but it's doable,’ says Liberal MP Mark Eyking. But MPs still say the Americans should make the first move toward ratification. Senate on a spending ‘slippery slope,’ says Sen. Marshall, as Senators review office-expense rules
Senators rejected staff-suggested changes to the rules governing how they spend money from their office budgets, in favour of examining the rules and coming up with their own changes.Trending Stories
