Philpott’s announcement indicates Canada’s Liberal government will legalize and regulate marijuana use in upcoming years, partly in response to the sequence of criminal activity that occurs when marijuana users are arrested under harsh marijuana use laws.
Advertisement
Canada’s Minister of Health Jane Philpott disclosed details about Canada’s marijuana reform efforts during the United Nations special session on global drug policy, a three-day conference of foreign leaders that’s being held in NY.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau campaigned past year on a promise to legalize and regulate recreational use of marijuana.
Experts say stoner subculture will likely take a hit with the incoming legalization of marijuana in Canada because as the cause vanishes, so will celebration of the drug.
The news ironically comes on the date 4/20, a day dedicated towards smoking cannabis and protesting its legalization.
She said legislation will be introduced in the spring of 2017.
She said the approach to drugs must be comprehensive, collaborative and compassionate while protecting human rights and promoting shared responsibility as well as having a firm scientific foundation.
Shares of medical marijuana producers rose on Wednesday after the Philpott’s announcement with Canopy Growth Co rising 6.67 percent to C$2.72 by mid-afternoon.
Vancouver-based Cannabix Technologies president and former RCMP officer Kal Malhi says his company has raised millions of dollars to bring its marijuana breathalyzer to market.
“We will work with law enforcement partners to encourage appropriate and proportionate criminal justice measures”, Ms Philpott said.
Advertisement
“What we will do as the opposition is bring up where we see weaknesses and put forth amendments where we see fit”, she said. The use of medical marijuana is already legal in Canada, but police officials have been quick to emphasise that current laws criminalise the sale, possession and consumption of recreational marijuana are still in effect.
