Dr. Eileen de Villa estimates there will be an additional 22,000 convictions if cannabis is not decriminalized
By Nick Boisvert,T
The federal government has promised to legalize
recreational marijuana by July 2018 - but Toronto's Medical Officer of
Health says it needs to be decriminalized sooner. (THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Toronto's Medical Officer of Health says the federal
government should immediately decriminalize recreational pot possession
in advance of upcoming legislation to legalize and regulate recreational
cannabis.
"A significant number of young Canadians will continue to obtain criminal charges before cannabis is legalized," Dr. Eileen de Villa warns in the report, which will be reviewed by Toronto's Board of Health on Monday.
She estimates there will be approximately 59,000 charges and 22,000 convictions for simple possession by the time recreational cannabis is legalized in July 2018.
De Villa says those legal run-ins can hamper access to employment and
housing, lead to social stigmatization and reduce economic status.
"Given that cannabis possession will soon be made lawful in Canada, it is recommended that the Board of Health urge the federal government to immediately decriminalize the possession of non-medical cannabis for personal use," de Villa wrote.
In addition to her call for decriminalization, de Villa is recommending that the board pressure Ottawa to implement a wide range of cannabis policies in the name of public health.
The recommendations include:
Finally, she recommends that Ontario prohibit the smoking and vaping of cannabis in public, like it does with tobacco.
Toronto's Board of Health will review the report on June 12th.
"A significant number of young Canadians will continue to obtain criminal charges before cannabis is legalized," Dr. Eileen de Villa warns in the report, which will be reviewed by Toronto's Board of Health on Monday.
She estimates there will be approximately 59,000 charges and 22,000 convictions for simple possession by the time recreational cannabis is legalized in July 2018.
Dr. Eileen de Villa has spoken out about the
importance of a "public health approach" to marijuana legalization in
the past. (Toronto Public Health)
"Given that cannabis possession will soon be made lawful in Canada, it is recommended that the Board of Health urge the federal government to immediately decriminalize the possession of non-medical cannabis for personal use," de Villa wrote.
In addition to her call for decriminalization, de Villa is recommending that the board pressure Ottawa to implement a wide range of cannabis policies in the name of public health.
The recommendations include:
- Comprehensive "plain packaging" rules - meaning packaging free of any branding or design.
- The establishment of new cannabis enforcement measures, including equity training to ensure the fair treatment of all population groups.
- Strengthened regulations on marketing and promotion, including prohibitions addressing movies, video games and other media directed at young people.
- The regulation of edible cannabis.
Finally, she recommends that Ontario prohibit the smoking and vaping of cannabis in public, like it does with tobacco.
Toronto's Board of Health will review the report on June 12th.
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