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Aug.4/03

The Hill Times

Parliament's view of pot over the years

http://www.thehilltimes.ca/2003/august/4/pot_chrono/

* 1923 ­ Cannabis added to the Schedule of prohibited drugs of the Opium and Narcotic Drug Act.

* 1973 ­ Final Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Non-Medical Use of Drugs (the Le Dain Commission). The report recommended decriminalization of personal use of marijuana.

* 1996 ­ The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act replaces the Narcotic Control Act and Parts III and IV of the Food and Drugs Act which created a summary conviction offence of possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana or one gram or less of cannabis resin.

* September 2002 ­ the Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs releases its report which recommends the legalization of small amounts of cannabis.

* December 2002 ­ the House of Commons Special Committee on Non-Medical Use of Drugs releases its report which recommends the decriminalization of possession of not more than 30 grams of cannabis for personal use.

* May 27, 2003 ­ Justice Minister Martin Cauchon introduces Cannabis Reform Bill (Bill C-38) in the House of Commons. Under Bill C-38, cannabis possession would remain illegal but those convicted of possessing 15 grams or less of marijuana or one gram or less of cannabis resin would face alternative penalties of a fine instead of a criminal conviction or the possibility of a jail term.