What do grade 12 students at Nepean HS think about the legalization of cannabis?

By Bella Crysler –

October 17 marked the legalization of cannabis in Canada, a campaign pledge by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that was initially proposed on April 13, 2017. Today, people over the age of 19 in Ontario are allowed to possess up to 30 grams of legal cannabis in public and grow up to four plants in private residences. 

The Cannabis Act aims to regulate and restrict the use of cannabis in order to keep it out of the hands of youth and keep users out of the justice system. According to the Government of Canada, more than half of all drug offences reported by police are cannabis-related. 

In 2016, a staggering 23,000 cannabis-related charges were laid. During the year leading up to it becoming legal, more than one in seven Canadians used weed at least once, according to Statistics Canada, roughly on-par with the number of Canadians who smoke cigarettes. 

Experts say that legalizing cannabis will take a large burden off the courts and keep many non-violent offenders out of jail. Other positive impacts of this act include keeping users away from buying cannabis that has been contaminated with other harmful substances. It also represents substantial economic opportunities for Canada. The cannabis industry has been valued at around $23 billion by research and accounting firm, Deloitte Canada. 

Canada is only the second country in the world to legalize cannabis and many have concerns about how this change will affect youth and their community. The Government of Canada has committed around $47 million to be applied to cannabis public education and awareness activities over the next five years with a special focus on making sure youth understand the health and safety risks or cannabis use and drug-impaired driving. 

Grade 12 students from Nepean High School, who will each be turning 19 within the next two years, shared their thoughts on the legalization of cannabis in Canada.

Calikia Merhi: “A lot of people are going to be using it [more safely] than before since it’s coming out of a dispensary, so there is less chance of it being laced.” Photo by Bella Crysler
Jed Mulcahy: “I feel that this will help regulate the distribution of something that would otherwise be given out by criminals and I think it’s better that now it will be distributed by the government.” Photo by Bella Crysler
Molly Goodman: “I agree with the decriminalization of cannabis because I think that it’s wrong that there are a lot of people who are being arrested and going to jail for smoking weed or the possession of it. They are being incarcerated with people who are in there [jail] for much worse crimes, but I think the legalization of it might just promote the use of it to a different extent.” Photo by Bella Crysler
Luca Nicastro: “I worry that kids are going to think that it’s ok to do it just because it’s legal and start doing it more thinking that it’s fine for you, but there are some effects on your health especially at a young age.” Photo by Bella Crysler

 

Bella Crysler is a grade 12 student at Nepean High School.

 

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