A Brief History of Cannabis - Part 3

The cannabis plant has a long and complicated history, being both honoured in herbal medicine and religious ceremonies — and outlawed as an illegal substance. This threepart series explores the lows and highs on the long journey toward cannabis legalization in Canada.

1996 

Medical Use Becomes Legal in Parts of the U.S.

California becomes the first U.S. state to legalize medical cannabis (as of 2019 it’s legal in 33, with 10 states allowing recreational use).

2000

Canadian Terry Parker Wins His 23-year Court Battle to Use Medical Cannabis

Terrance Parker, a Toronto man with epileptic seizures, was first arrested in 1987 for cannabis possession but was acquitted due to “medical necessity,” as cannabis eases his condition (where two brain surgeries and various medications could not). In 1996, Parker is charged with possession, cultivation and trafficking for growing the plant. He appeals to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and a judge rules in his favour. The Crown appeals the decision, but in 2000 the Ontario Court of Appeal finds the current cannabis law unconstitutional because it does not take medical use into account. The federal government must change the cannabis laws within one year — or the courts will begin dismissing possession charges.

2001

Canada’s First Medical Cannabis Laws Allows Patients to Grow Their Own

The Marihuana Medical Access Regulations (MMAR) allows licensed patients (fewer than 100 to start) to grow their own cannabis or access it through Health Canada. The federal government sets up the House of Commons Special Committee on Non-medical Use of Drugs and the Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drug Use, both of which recommend reforming cannabis possession and supply laws. Senate suggests going one step further and legalizing the production and sale of cannabis. 

2003

Prime Minister Chretien Introduces Bill that Would Decriminalize — The Bill Dies

Under Prime Minister Jean Chretien, the first federal cannabis decriminalization Bill (C‑38) is introduced, reducing the penalty for possession of up to 15 grams of cannabis to a civil fine, but the bill dies when government is halted. A similar Bill (C‑10) is introduced a year later with the same result.

2011

Prohibitions Against the Possession and Production of Cannabis Ruled to be Invalid and a Licensed Producer System is Created

Ontario Superior Court Justice Donald Taliano rules the MMAR is constitutionally invalid because medical users who cannot access cannabis legally (and do so illegally) can be charged. The program is replaced by the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR), which creates a system of licensed cannabis producers. Medical patients (about 37,800 at this point) cannot grow their own plants and must register with a Licensed Producer.

2015

Canadian Supreme Court Rules: Cannabis Restrictions Violate Freedom of Choice

After reviewing the 2009 case of B.C. baker Owen Smith, who was charged for possessing cannabis-infused cookies, massage oils and lip balms, the Supreme Court of Canada rules that restricting medical patients’ legal access to only dried cannabis flower violates their rights to consume cannabis in the form they choose. This decision opens the door for Licensed Producers to now be able to produce oils and other forms of cannabis.

2016

Canadian Neil Allard Wins Patients the Right to Grow Their Own Cannabis Plants

Neil Allard and three other people from B.C. challenge the MMPR as violating their rights because patients cannot produce cannabis themselves, which is affordable to everyone. The Federal Court of Canada rules in Allard’s favour, and the law is revised once again, becoming the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR).

2017

The Government Moves to Legalization

The Government of Canada proposes Bill C-45, or the Cannabis Act, which would legalize the possession, use, cultivation and purchase of limited amounts of cannabis by adults 18 years of age and older.