High Time for Change: A Sound, Humane, and Fiscally Responsible Marijuana Policy for Canada
Queen's Policy Review, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 59-77, Spring 2010
19 Pages Posted: 1 Nov 2011
Date Written: 2010
Abstract
If a country’s legal framework is broadly in line with its society’s values, it follows that crime will be minimized. No public policy more obstinately ignores this principle than that regarding marijuana. Based on an international comparative analysis, this paper argues that Canada, rather than toughening its marijuana laws, should align them with wide-ranging and compelling scientific, social, economic, and historical arguments and empirical evidence for decriminalization. The paper further argues that legalization is preferable to decriminalization.
Keywords: Marijuana, marijuana laws, medical marijuana, Canada, cannabis, decriminalization, legalization
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