Legalization of Marijuana in Canada: A Persuasive Essay Analysis

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of the legalization of marijuana in Canada, examining the arguments both in favor and against the policy. It begins by outlining the historical context, including the passage of the Cannabis Act (Bill C-45) and Canada's position as a pioneer in legalizing marijuana among developed nations. The essay then delves into the arguments presented by proponents, such as the potential for increased tax revenue and the decrease in criminal records. Conversely, it explores the counterarguments, highlighting the potential risks associated with increased accessibility, including health concerns like addiction, mental health issues, and potential for misuse by minors. The essay references multiple sources, including government publications and academic research, to provide a balanced and informed perspective on the complex implications of marijuana legalization in Canada, ultimately concluding with a critical assessment of the potential societal impacts.

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Persuasive essay on ‘Marijuana being legalized in Canada’
Marijuana and its legalization in Canada has been a topic of discussion in the recent years
since it has been considered as a major implication for US drug policy. As per Karbakhsh,
Jennifer and Ian, after Uruguay, Canada is the second nation that has legalized consummation of
a drug like marijuana. However, unlike Uruguay Canada is the first wealthy and developed
country to completely legalize marijuana. While some school of thought supports the
legalization, other school of thought strongly condemns it raising several issues which might
caused upon the successful legalization of marijuana and its consummation. Thus, the study will
present both side of argument, in favor and against and then will determine which of the
argument is most viable.
The Bill C-45 or what is mostly known as Cannabis Act has been approved by Senate
making it effective from October 17 of 2018. Under the law, possessing marijuana, growing it at
home and purchasing and selling it to the adults is completely legal (Karbakhsh, Jennifer and
Ian). However, the government will keep a strict watch over its sell to minors and if such
criminal activities are caught red handed strict legal action will be imposed on the responsible
person. From license providing to sell and distribution of marijuana will be regulated by the

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federal government. As per the statement of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the Cannabis Act
will be into effect from October 17 with a little sale on that very date.
According to Karbakhsh, Jennifer and Ian, some people who support its legalization
presents the data of 9 states that possess the legalized access of marijuana use. On the other hand,
there are 29 states that have the legalization of marijuana use for the medicinal purpose
(Theguardian.com). As mentioned before, Uruguay as nation legalized marijuana for the first
time. However, the intention was completely different as it was a recreational purpose. Several
activists over the years have been pushing the country to change International Drug Treaties
which imposes ban on legalized use of marijuana. In this regard, it needs to be mentioned that
Canada is within the boundary of federal law and according to which cannabis usage is still
prohibited in Canada like in the United States.
The ruling party of Canada headed by Trudeau who is presently the Prime Minister of the
country especially featured its promise to legalize marijuana if it wins the election and comes
into power. As per the governmental sources, the main purpose of marijuana legalization is
nothing but clamping down the black market for cannabis while providing a safe and secure
outlet for adult consumers (Austen et al.). In addition the Liberal Party has stated that
legalization would be in effect in with the fact in view of decreasing the criminal records as
many people are arrested for possessing even small amount of drugs like marijuana. The
supporters also justify their support to the marijuana or cannabis legalization in Canada by
stating that the prohibition according international drug treaties failed to prevent the young
people of the country from using marijuana. The major benefit of marijuana legalization in
Canada is that it can bring extra revenue like Colorado, where the tax imposed on the use of
marijuana generates less than 1% of the general budget of the state (Theguardian.com). In the

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meantime, the Cannabis Act was enforced with aim of decreasing the crimes related with
marijuana and sell like murder, kidnappings, torture and so on.
As per Fischer et al, there are risks associated with Marijuana as legalization might make
the drug easily available to the minors. An expert of drug policy at New York University’s
Marron Institute has stated upon his research that with the legalization in effect, the cost of
marijuana joint will be similar to that of a tea bag. After legalization, the drug would be easily
available over retail outlets at local levels and as a result people will get easy access of it. The
risk lies there as control over marijuana consumption will be loosened which were strict before
the law was enforced. Some school of thought expressed concern over its possible increased use
of the drug since it is comparatively more dangerous than some other drugs. The major risks are
concerned with the drug overuse and addiction.
Watson and Patricia opines that the easy access can make a person addicted to the drug
which might lead him to suffer from mental oppressions like schizophrenia, insomnia,
hallucination and psychological disorders which result a person to lose his complete mental
balance. More than benefits there are high risk of health deterioration of people of the country as
consummation of marijuana causes lung diseases, heart diseases and even disease like cancer.
Not only that, drug control experts of the country also expressed their concern regarding the
overdose which results into death. Often it is seen that youngsters commit suicides by taking
overdose of the drug. Meanwhile, there is risk in relation with the drug consumption which can
make young generation divert from the actual flow of life.
On a concluding note, it is justify asserting that even though the above mentioned
benefits have been mentioned in support of the legalization of marijuana in Canada, the risks are

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more significant and has more potential to harm the society grossly. On a larger picture, the
legalization cannot generate benefit at the cost of weakened future of the young generation of the
society. Whether it is more revenue generation or decrease of crimes and criminal records, the
legalization of marijuana will certainly bring adverse impacts on the country in an overall
manner since marijuana is a drug and drug consumption can never be of beneficial for a country.

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References
Austen, Ian et al. "Canada Is Legalizing Marijuana. Here Are Some Questions,
Answered.". Nytimes.Com, 2018, Available at.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/16/world/canada/marijuana-legalization-explainer.html.
Accessed 25 Oct 2018.
Fischer, Benedikt, et al. "Assessing the public health impact of cannabis legalization in Canada:
core outcome indicators towards an ‘index’for monitoring and evaluation." Journal of Public
Health (2018).
Karbakhsh, Mojgan, Jennifer Smith, and Ian Pike. "“Where does the high road lead?” Potential
implications of cannabis legalization for pediatric injuries in Canada." Canadian journal of
public health (2018): 1-4.
Theguardian.com. “Marijuana legalization, explained: the key facts about Canada's new laws.”
the Guardian. 2018. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/06/canada-
cannabis-legalization-questions-answered [Accessed 25 Oct. 2018].
Watson, Tara Marie, and Patricia G. Erickson. "Cannabis legalization in Canada: how might
‘strict’regulation impact youth?." (2018): 1-5.