Cannabis has a long and complex history in Canada. From being used as a medicine to being criminalized and then decriminalized, the journey of cannabis in Canada has been a roller coaster ride. Here’s a brief history of cannabis in Canada, along with a timeline of its decriminalization and legalization.
History of Cannabis in Canada
Cannabis was introduced to Canada by early French and British settlers in the 1600s. It was mainly used for medicinal purposes and was widely grown in the country until the early 1900s. However, the recreational use of cannabis started gaining popularity in the early 1900s, and by the 1920s, there was widespread concern about the use of cannabis in Canada.
In 1923, Canada banned cannabis entirely, making it illegal to possess, sell or cultivate cannabis. Over the years, the penalties for cannabis possession and use increased, with the maximum sentence for possession being life imprisonment.
However, by the 1960s, the use of cannabis became more prevalent, and the government began to review its drug policies. In 1969, the Le Dain Commission was appointed to study the non-medical use of drugs in Canada. The commission recommended that cannabis use should be decriminalized, but the government did not take any action on the recommendation.
Decriminalization of Cannabis in Canada
In 2001, Canada introduced the Medical Marijuana Access Regulations, allowing patients with a doctor’s prescription to use cannabis for medicinal purposes. This was the first step towards the legalization of cannabis in Canada.
In 2003, the Canadian government introduced a bill to decriminalize cannabis, which would have made the possession of small amounts of cannabis a civil offense rather than a criminal one. However, the bill was never passed, and cannabis remained illegal.
In 2017, the Canadian government introduced the Cannabis Act, which legalized the use of cannabis for recreational purposes. The act came into effect on October 17, 2018, making Canada the second country in the world, after Uruguay, to legalize cannabis for recreational use.
Legalization of Cannabis in Canada
Since the legalization of cannabis in Canada, the government has continued to make changes to the regulations surrounding cannabis use. Here’s a timeline of the key events:
- 2018: The Cannabis Act comes into effect, legalizing the use of cannabis for recreational purposes.
- 2019: The government introduces regulations for edibles, extracts, and topicals, which come into effect on October 17, 2019.
- 2020: The government introduces regulations for the production and sale of cannabis-infused beverages, which come into effect on December 17, 2020.
- 2021: The government introduces new regulations for cannabis concentrates, which come into effect on October 17, 2021.
Today, cannabis is legal for both medicinal and recreational use in Canada, with strict regulations in place to ensure its safe and responsible use.
In conclusion, the journey of cannabis in Canada has been a long and complex one. From being used as medicine to being criminalized and then decriminalized and finally legalized, cannabis has come a long way in Canada. With the continued evolution of regulations surrounding cannabis use, it will be interesting to see how its use and perception in Canada continues to evolve over the years to come.
