The Legalization of Marijuana: Trudeau's Plan... Will it Work for Canadians?

Monique Zizzo

The legalization of marijuana seems to be the most popular of proposed Liberal initiatives, but there are currently many questions about this controversy that remain unanswered. Many Canadians are confused as to whether or not Trudeau is going to follow through with his commitment to legalizing marijuana, and the rules and regulations that will ensue if he does.

Although Trudeau has never directly addressed these inquires, he states two clear opinions nearly every time he speaks on the topic. The first is that the Conservatives' current approach of allowing marijuana to be used only for medical purposes is not effective because it is making marijuana too easy to access for teenagers and encouraging an increase in crime rates. The second is that we can definitely expect the legalization of marijuana to occur while the Liberal party is in power.

Trudeau has openly stated that he has not yet established specific details such as when we can expect the legalization to occur, who marijuana will be available to, how exactly it will be distributed and regulated, where people will be allowed to smoke, or at what rate it is going to be taxed. In multiple interviews, he has assured that he is undergoing thorough investigation before making these important decisions.

Many young people are excited about the possibility of this initiative and may have even voted Liberal in hopes of a “free-for-all” attitude toward marijuana, but Trudeau has shut this ideal down. He has stated that there will be strict restrictions on age limit and locations at which it will be sold in order to remove the criminal element and provide better protection for Canada's youth. For instance, marijuana will be more difficult to access than alcohol and will not be sold in corner stores or other locations that are known to be less than adamant with checking ID. Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has stated that she would like LCBO to be the main provider.

If this initiative is put in place, it could allow Canada's economy to thrive; the allowance of recreational use of marijuana would make the medical marijuana industry a $7 billion business according to some estimates. An argument can also be made in favour of decreasing the rebellious, forbidden stigma that surrounds marijuana for young people, and when that stigma disappears young people may not bother using it at all as a result of the lack of excitement. There would also be a decrease in the number of people that rely on drug dealers to purchase marijuana, who may sell unsafe strains. People would be more likely to purchase marijuana in-store rather than on the streets, and in turn would receive a version that contains regulated amounts of ingredients including THC. Canadians would rest assured that if they decided to purchase marijuana they would be receiving would a safe, unlaced version.

On the other hand, there is fear that legalizing marijuana could do the opposite of what Trudeau hopes for by encouraging street crime, addiction and other issues. Trudeau responds to a woman who raises this concern in the following video, stating that legalization of marijuana will aid in resolving these issues more than the current prohibition is:



Canadian survey results from Vote Compass showed that 56% of respondents believe that marijuana should be legalized, 30% said it should be decriminalized, and only 14% said it should remain a criminal offence. In summary, the legalization of recreational marijuana seems to be an initiative that is highly supported by Canadians, and will most likely be a reality in Canada within the next few years.

Monique Zizzo December 24, 2015

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