A Brief History of Cannabis in Canada
Cannabis legalization seems like a no-brainer now. But it was a radical idea internationally, and our leaders went head-to-head with some of the most powerful nations and organizations in the world.
CANNABIS & RACISM
Cannabis was first declared illegal in Canada in 1923, with much of the stigma related to racism and discrimination. It was treated the same as dangerous hard drugs such as heroin.
CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE
In 2000, the Supreme Court of Canada found that restricting cannabis for medical use was unconstitutional.
There was a growing body of data to show that cannabis indeed has many medical benefits including pain and nausea relief for cancer patients.
The Government of Canada introduces the Marihuana Medical Access Regulations (MMAR) Act, legalizing cannabis for medical use with a prescription
2001
477 people in Canada have prescriptions for medical cannabis. That jumps to almost 22,000 people by 2012. Health Canada supplied all purchased cannabis.
2002
The Government of Canada replaces MMAR with the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR) Act, introducing the Licensed Producers system.
2013
LP SYSTEM CREATED
MMAR creates the Licensed Producers (LP) system allowing third-party growers to cultivate and sell cannabis to medical patients with a prescription.
DROPS & EXTRACTS NOT ALLOWED
However, MMAR restriction to dried cannabis. The Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) Act in 2015 allows the use of extracts.
PROMISE OF FULL LEGALIZATION
By the federal election in 2015, it was clear the citizens of Canada wanted full legalization of cannabis for recreational use as well. Justin Trudeau promised to legalize cannabis, if elected.
CANNABIS ACT 2018
He was, and the Trudeau government legalized dried cannabis for adult use on October 17, 2018 with the new Cannabis Act.
EDIBLES & EXTRACTS 2019
One year later, cannabis edibles and other cannabis products including topicals and extracts. However, due to inspection rules, edibles didn’t actually go on sale in Canada until December 2019.
SAFE, LEGAL SUPPLY
Legalization ensured a safe supply of cannabis for all consumers. It was also seen as a way to stop the illegal cannabis market and keep cannabis out of the hands of minors.
TROUBLES AT THE US BORDER
It also caused border problems for Canadian citizens travelling to the US, where all cannabis users are officially considered to be “drug addicts” under official US law, and can be denied entry.
US STOPS CANADA POST
US border officials even took it a step further, inspecting Canada Post parcels and seizing legal cannabis sent to Campobello Island, NB, which is only accessible via the United States.
Eventually though, the path that Canada blazed would become a blueprint for other countries considering cannabis legalization.
LEGALIZATION WORKS
Today, the “Canadian Cannabis Experiment” is revealing new truths. Legal cannabis sales passed illegal sales in September 2020 without any spikes in usage, proving that the system works.