Marijuana Legalization in Canada

Marijuana Legalization in Canada

Due to the immense economic benefits and increasing support in Canada, it is appropriate to decriminalize weed. The ideas of weed decriminalization have attracted great concern to both the political and social class. Marijuana is rated as the second commonly used drug in Canada with alcohol taking the lead. Canada citizens and political leaders positively welcomed the formal announcement from the recently elected federal government in the year 2017 about the introduction of laws in support of weed legalization. According to Hajizadeh (2016), the core purpose of the statutes includes educating citizens about the economic, social and public health benefits of marijuana use. The decriminalization of weed in Canada will be an essential source of taxes and revenues as opposed to its prohibition. Through legalization, collection of taxes will increase by 50% because of the taxes imposed on weed products.

Consequently, the citizen’s money spent by the government on efforts to ban the use of weed is saved. The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce(CIBC) World Markets, 10 billion dollars will be created from weed legalization every year (Downer et al., 2018). This increase in revenues comes along with the improved economic status of Canada. The living standards of Canadians will improve significantly as a result of job creation from the growth and packaging of weed. Robinson et al. (2020) argue that there are job opportunities to individuals who provide sensitization to keep minors off weed market and use. This practice will be made possible by imparting knowledge and awareness about the use of marijuana to society and youths.

Decriminalization of weed will have a positive effect on criminals who dwell on the illegal market. The criminal activity of selling prohibited marijuana will significantly decrease because the dealers acquire the freedom to do business. The fines and punishments associated with selling and using weed will eventually come to an end. A recent report recorded 73000 weed criminal cases which are significant to 67% of cases in police stations in the year 2013. The number has continued to increase by 8% in a period of 10years. The amount spent on the prosecution of these criminals will also reduce due to marijuana legalization. Through illegal selling and use of marijuana, criminal activities among the youth have increased over the years. According to Mahamad and Hammond (2019), the unsafe surrounding and negative energy to possess weed among the minors and youth will decrease after decriminalization. The decrease will come about because the Canadian government will standardize weed prices, making it affordable to all citizens.

The decriminalization of marijuana comes along with very legitimate health benefits. The Canadians attempt to restrict weed for medical purposes are said to be ineffective, unproductive and expensive. Therefore, weed legalization will significantly improve the health sector in Canada. Marijuana used for health benefits should be orally administered and not by smoking. Muscle spasms, nausea, the loss of appetite and continuous pain are among the health disorders relieved by weed. Marijuana is also associated with relieving nausea experienced after chemotherapy sessions. A recent study confirms that pharmacists in the United States legally sell marijuana to heal insomnia, extreme headaches and rheumatism (Fischer et al. 2019). The idea of weed stalks on use in the oil manufacturing industries makes it fit for human consumption. Legalizing marijuana in Canada will increase the health care sectors performance improving the economic status of the country.

On the contrary, marijuana use can have adverse effects on both individuals and society. The Center for Addiction and Mental Health(CAMH) recent study confirmed that the continuous use of weed caused unwanted health problems. The slow development of the brain among young people, urge to try out more illegal drugs, fear and anxiety about life uncertainties, cancer of the lungs and severe bronchitis are closely related to marijuana use. Slow brain development of the youth has negative impacts on the country’s economic status because the youth become lazy and unproductive. In 2012, the number of people who died from marijuana abuse was 287 as opposed to 66346 cases of disability in Canada. The legalization of weed would increase its use among young people, resulting in health disorders from the abuse. The smoking of marijuana is considered a significant cause of lung cancer in the world. Due to this health risk, legalizing weed in Canada would expose Canadians to cancer-related cells. Weed legalization would have minors exposed to its abuse which results in epilepsy in children. The decriminalization would have adverse effects on school life to children resulting from the misuse of the drug. Due to the adverse health effects associated with the use of weed, the government of Canada should invent measures that focus on preventing marijuana abuse in the country (Windle et al., 2019).

Weed decriminalization in Canada will have more positive than negative impacts. The taxes and revenues collected would significantly increase with the legalization of weed. Additionally, the amount of money that the government spend on efforts to prohibit weed businesses and use might help elsewhere. The funds collected will be used for developmental projects, for example, in improving the Canadian education and health sectors. On the other, immense reduction in criminal activities which result from marijuana abuse will happen. This reduction would be as a result of job opportunities from the weed packaging industries. Illegal marijuana markets will reduce because the dealers become free to do their business openly.

On the other hand, legalizing marijuana will result in health risks among Canadians. In the past, weed abuse was a cause of deaths and disabilities and so legalizing its use could be harmful to the society at large. The Canadian government, therefore, has the responsibility of offering educational programs on the positivity and negativity of marijuana use. Canada should emulate the strategies used by other countries, for example, the United States which have implemented the legalization of marijuana. Although the rules of regulations involved in these countries differ from those of Canada, the states can offer special techniques that will help in legalizing marijuana in Canada. Also, the Canadian government should be able to understand the consequences and effects that come along with weed legalization.

References

Hajizadeh, M. (2016). Legalizing and regulating marijuana in Canada: a review of potential economic, social, and health impacts. International journal of health policy and management, 5(8), 453.

Mahamad, S., & Hammond, D. (2019). Retail price and availability of illicit cannabis in Canada. Addictive behaviours, 90, 402-408.

Fischer, B., Russell, C., Rehm, J., & Leece, P. (2019). Assessing the public health impact of cannabis legalization in Canada: core outcome indicators towards an ‘index for monitoring and evaluation. Journal of Public Health, 41(2), 412-421.

Robinson, J. M., Copeland, C., Pilin, M. A., Meyer, A., & Krank, M. D. (2020). The Impact of Cannabis Legalization in Canada on Adolescents’ Perceptions. Journal of Drug Issues, 0022042620908200.

Windle, S. B., Wade, K., Filion, K. B., Kimmelman, J., Thombs, B. D., & Eisenberg, M. J. (2019). Potential harms from the legalization of recreational cannabis use in Canada. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 110(2), 222-226.

Downer, P., Cooper, T., & Faseruk, A. (2018). Accounting, Taxation, and Auditing Issues Following the Legalization of Recreational Marijuana in Canada: Learning from the American Experience. Journal of Accounting & Finance (2158-3625), 18(6).