WHEREAS marijuana prohibition is a failed policy which has cost millions of dollars in police, court, jail and social costs; AND WHEREAS the decriminalization and regulation of marijuana would provide tax revenues: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM lobby the appropriate government to decriminalize marijuana and research the regulation and taxation of marijuana.
Minister of Justice Attorney General of Canada Marijuana is a psychoactive substance causing alteration of mental and physical functions. The use of psychoactive substances raises issues of public health and safety, both for the user and for those in the broader society affected by the users conduct. The production and trafficking of illicit drugs is the most significant source of money for gangs and organized crime. It does profound harm to neighbourhoods, where homes are turned into grow-ops and crystal meth labs. Many Canadians are concerned that a relaxation of the law prohibiting possession of marijuana would result in greater use of the drug and therefore would increase the health and safety hazards associated with it. Although research is still continuing on the effects of marijuana use, there is enough information to clearly identify health hazards. Regular and heavy use of cannabis can lead to a psychological or physiological dependence, thereby worsening an individuals overall condition. Moreover, legalizing access to marijuana would put Canada in contravention of international agreements to which it is a party, including the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. This convention, for instance, obliges Canada to maintain stringent domestic control over certain drugs, including marijuana. In particular, Canada is required to treat possession, sale, cultivation, and importing activities involving this substance as punishable offences. I note your views on this issue; however, the Government has no intention to introduce legislation that would decriminalize the possession of cannabis. The Government is opposed to decriminalizing or legalizing illicit drugs.