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Cannabis political parties are generally single-issue parties that exist to oppose the laws against cannabis.
In the United States, cannabis is legal in 38 of 50 states for medical use and 24 states for recreational use. At the federal level, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, determined to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, prohibiting its use for any purpose. Despite this prohibition, federal law is generally not enforced against the possession, cultivation, or intrastate distribution of cannabis in states where such activity has been legalized. On May 1, 2024, the Associated Press reported on plans by the Drug Enforcement Administration to move cannabis to the less-restrictive Schedule III.
The legal history of cannabis in the United States began with state-level prohibition in the early 20th century, with the first major federal limitations occurring in 1937. Starting with Oregon in 1973, individual states began to liberalize cannabis laws through decriminalization. In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical cannabis, sparking a trend that spread to a majority of states by 2016. In 2012, Washington and Colorado became the first states to legalize cannabis for recreational use.
The Cannabis Act (C-45) of June, 2018 paved the way for the legalization of cannabis in Canada on 17 October 2018. Police and prosecution services in all Canadian jurisdictions are currently capable of pursuing criminal charges for cannabis marketing without a licence issued by Health Canada. The Supreme Court of Canada has held that the federal Parliament has the power to criminalize the possession of cannabis and that doing so does not infringe upon the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Ontario Court of Appeal and the Superior Court of Ontario have, however, held that the absence of a statutory provision for medical marijuana is unconstitutional, and to that extent the federal law is of no force and/or effect if a prescription is obtained. The recreational use of cannabis has been legalized by the federal government, and took effect on 17 October 2018.
The Cannabis Act is a law which legalized recreational cannabis use in Canada in combination with its companion legislation Bill C-46, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code. The law is a milestone in the legal history of cannabis in Canada, alongside the 1923 prohibition.
Cannabis in Quebec became legal when the national Cannabis Act went into force on 17 October 2018. Cannabis in Canada has been legal for medicinal purposes since 2001 under conditions outlined in the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations, later superseded by the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations, issued by Health Canada and seed, grain, and fibre production was permitted under licence by Health Canada.
On October 17, 2018, cannabis was legalized in Canada for recreational and medical purposes. It was already legal for medicinal purposes, under conditions outlined in the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations issued by Health Canada, and for seed, grain, and fibre production under licence by Health Canada.
References
- ↑ Beausoleil, Jean-Marc (2017). "Enfant de cœur". Monsieur Boris et le cannabis : le long road-trip vers la légalisation (in French). QuébecAmérique. ISBN 978-2-7644-3338-6. OCLC 981767718.
- ↑ Marc-Boris St-Maurice Bio
- 1 2 Curtis, Christopher (October 15, 2016). "Medicinal marijuana in Montreal: Just ask for Boris". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
- ↑ Wherry, Aaron (September 4, 2013). "Q&A: Marc-Boris St-Maurice on marijuana and Justin Trudeau - Macleans.ca". Maclean's. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
- ↑ The Canadian Press (June 3, 2010). "Quebec police raid pot clubs, plan 25 arrests". The Toronto Star. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
- ↑ LeClair, Anne (January 10, 2017). "EXCLUSIVE: Cannabis Culture plans to reopen in Montreal with a medical twist". Global News. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
- ↑ Riga, Andy (November 16, 2017). "Quebec cannabis: Activists, entrepreneur disappointed with marijuana legislation". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
- ↑ Annable, Kristin (February 23, 2012). "Health Canada helps prosecute marijuana growers, then asks them for advice | National Post". National post. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
- John David Gravenor; Kristian Gravenor (2003). Montreal: The Unknown City . Arsenal Pulp Press. pp. 185. ISBN 1-55152-119-9.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - "CBC News – Montreal – Raids highlight gaps in medical marijuana program". CBC. June 6, 2010. Retrieved June 7, 2010.
- Hugo Meunier (June 3, 2010). "Quatre Clubs Compassion fermés à Montréal". La Presse. Retrieved June 7, 2010.
- "Marijuana Party founder joins Liberals". CBC. March 1, 2005. Retrieved June 7, 2010.
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