Cannabis in Canada

In Canada as of early 2017, cannabis – usually referred to as marihuana or marijuana – is legal only for medicinal purposes and only under conditions outlined in the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR). issued by Health Canada. The cultivation of the hemp plant of the genus Cannabis (family Cannabaceae) is currently legal in Canada for seed, grain and fibre production only under licences issued by Health Canada.

Cannabis was first banned in Canada in 1923, with regulated medical cannabis becoming legal in 2001. In response to popular opinion,Justin Trudeau, the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada committed to legalizing cannabis for personal use while campaigning during the Canadian federal election, 2015. The Liberals won the election with 184 seats, allowing the party to form a majority government with Trudeau as Prime Minister. The plan was to remove cannabis possession for personal consumption from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; however, new laws would be enacted for greater punishment of those convicted of supplying cannabis to minors and impairment while driving a motor vehicle. In November 2015, Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould said that she and the ministers of Health and Public Safety were working on specifics as to the legislation.

The final wording was still under discussion in late March 2017, but a probable date for the official effect of the legislation was widely publicized as 1 July 2018. News reports indicated that the provinces will have the power to determine the method of distribution and sale as well as the legal age for cannabis use.

Cannabis has been illegal since it was added to the country's Confidential Restricted List in 1923 under the Narcotics Drug Act Amendment Bill after a vague reference to a "new drug" during a late night session of the House of Commons on April 23, 1923.According to one government official, cannabis was outlawed after the Director of the Federal Division of Narcotic Control returned from League of Nations meetings where the international control of cannabis was broached. Cannabis did not begin to attract official attention in Canada until the latter 1930s, and even then it was minimal. The first seizure of cannabis by Canadian police was not until 1937. Between 1946 and 1961, cannabis accounted for only 2% of all drug arrests in Canada.

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