1. CANADIAN LAW
ON RECREATIONAL
USE OF MARIJUANA
REBECCA RANDELL
EFFECTIVE CITIZENSHIP FORMAL PROPOSAL

2. PRESENTATION OUTLINE
 Proposed change
 Who is responsible for this change?
 Understanding the change
 Other options
 Case for Change
 Steps required to implement this change
 Who is affected?
 Conclusion

3. “
”
Cannabis has NOT
been decriminalized or
legalized in Canada.
http://www.cannabisfacts.ca/

5. PROPOSED CHANGE
 Legalize marijuana in Canada
 Only currently legal for medicinal purposes

6. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS
CHANGE?
 Federal Government
 “Under Canada’s Constitution, the federal government is granted its
own powers and responsibilities, which cannot be altered unilaterally by
another level of government.”
http://www.mapleleafweb.com/features/federal-government-canada-organization-institutions-issues

7. UNDERSTANDING THE CHANGE
 Change the law with certain regulations that are similar to those of
tobacco or alcohol use
 1. Age limit
 2. Location
 3. Operation of Motor Vehicles

8. OTHER OPTIONS
 Keep the current law on marijuana
 Make medicinal marijuana illegal as well
 Legalize marijuana without restrictions
 Lessen the criminal charges on the use of marijuana but have it
remain illegal
 Increase criminal charges on the use of marijuana

9. CASE FOR CHANGE
 Meeting popular demand
 It does less damage than tobacco and alcohol
 People die from alcohol overdoses. There has never been a fatal
marijuana overdose.
 The health-related costs associated with alcohol use far exceed those
for marijuana use.
 Alcohol is linked to cancer. Marijuana is not.
 Economic benefits
 Marijuana inmates cost American prisons $1 billion per year
 Prohibition of marijuana in the US cost taxpayers $41.8 billion a year

13. STEPS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT THIS
CHANGE
 Liberal Party of Canada has come up with an implementation
policy already
 Sees it fit to legalize marijuana given that they can and will “ensure the
regulation and taxation of its production, distribution, and use, while
enacting strict penalties for illegal trafficking, illegal importation, and
impaired driving.”
 Have committed to investing “significant resources in prevention and
education programs designed to promote awareness of the health risks
and consequences of marijuana use and dependency, especially
amongst youth.”
 Submit a bill which must be passed by the House of Commons, the
Senate, and the Governor General. Each house has the right to
pass, amend, delay, or defeat the bill. If it is passed it will become a
legislation.
http://www.parl.gc.ca/Aboute/Sentae/Today/laws-e.html
http://convention.liberal.ca/justice/117-legalize-and-regulate-marijuana/

14. WHO IS AFFECTED?
 Every Canadian citizen