Adding a racial lens to the legislated review of the Cannabis Act
Given what we now know about the insidious way cannabis regulation has historically been a vehicle for systemic racism in Canada, a legislative review without a racial equity impact assessment would be negligent.
The story of the enforcement of cannabis laws in Canada is one of historical injustice and inequality. Indeed, it is undisputed by this government that one of the greatest injustices in our country is the disparity and disproportionality of the enforcement of cannabis laws and the impact this has had on Black communities, Aboriginal communities, and those in our most vulnerable neighbourhoods. Despite evidence of similar rates of use across racial groups, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of colour) Canadians are disproportionately stopped, searched, arrested, prosecuted, and incarcerated for cannabis possession offences compared to white Canadians. Evidence also suggests that these groups have been systematically excluded from the positions of power and influence within Canada’s legal cannabis industry.
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Lambropoulos’ comments could be used against Grits in next election, say Liberal insiders, pollsters, and MPs
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