Canada to fully legalize cannabis in 2017

In 2017, the Canadian Parliament will consider a bill to legalize cannabis throughout the country. If this concept is adopted, Canada will become the largest state in terms of the number of people with free access to marijuana. An encouraging statement was made by the head of the Ministry of Health, Jane Philipott, during the UN General Assembly, held in New York.

The senior official said:

“Canadian MPs will receive a bill in the spring of 2017. To date, the concept is under development, and the best lawyers will make every effort to ensure that cannabis does not fall into the hands of children and adolescents from the moment of legalization. The bill will also help drive the mafia out of the market, increase budget revenues and improve public safety.

Now we are trying to apply innovative approaches to solving an important issue. The Canadian authorities understand that it is necessary to take into account the interests of all parties, and mass arrests are not a way out of the situation. With the close cooperation of the population and different groups of specialists, we will be able to achieve adequate justice.”

Jane Flippot added the importance of taking a human rights approach, an understanding of responsibility, and research results. The Minister of Health promised to rely on these principles when developing the concept.

Rally in support of legalization

The statement of the head of the department was made just in time for the unrecognized holiday, founded by supporters of the legalization of cannabis. On this day, hundreds of Canadian activists gathered outside the state parliament building and called on the authorities to lift the ban on the use of marijuana.

Current Canadian law allows the use of cannabis for medical purposes, and the product can be purchased by prescription. Experience shows that cannabis fights severe ailments faster and more effectively than similar drugs.

The opponent of the legalization of cannabis is the Conservative Party, which after the recent parliamentary elections went into opposition. One of the representatives of this political force stated:

"The legalization of marijuana is the worst thing that the current government can do for local youth."

However, in Canada it is quite easy to buy cannabis on the black market. The psychoactive substance can be obtained in troubled areas and nightclubs.