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Canada's plans to legalize marijuana contravene UN's international conventions, say experts

Date:
May 16, 2016
Source:
Canadian Medical Association Journal
Summary:
The Canadian government's plan to legalize marijuana contravenes its current legal obligations to the United Nation's international drug-control conventions, states a new expert commentary.
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The Canadian government's plan to legalize marijuana contravenes its current legal obligations to the United Nation's international drug-control conventions, states a commentary in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

"The federal government should immediately take proactive steps to seek a reservation to the marijuana provisions of these treaties and/or to initiate their renegotiation in light of its legalization plans," write Dr. Steven Hoffman and Ms. Roojin Habibi, both with the Global Strategy Lab at the University of Ottawa's Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics. "If these diplomatic efforts fail, Canada must formally withdraw from these treaties to avoid undermining international law and compromising its global position."

Three legally binding international treaties control or prohibit access to various drugs around the world, including marijuana.

Other jurisdictions, such as Colorado and Washington in the United States and Uruguay, have legalized marijuana and violate current UN conventions.

The authors suggest that the most feasible option for Canada is to withdraw from these treaties. The federal government could then fulfill its campaign promise to legalize marijuana without violating international law.

"Formally withdrawing from outdated treaties like these is a country's sovereign right. It may also be a moral duty if the government believes the conventions' required policies are harmful," state the authors.


Story Source:

Materials provided by Canadian Medical Association Journal. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Steven J. Hoffman and Roojin Habibi. International legal barriers to Canada's marijuana plans. CMAJ, May 2016 DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.160369

Cite This Page:

Canadian Medical Association Journal. "Canada's plans to legalize marijuana contravene UN's international conventions, say experts." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 16 May 2016. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160516125342.htm>.
Canadian Medical Association Journal. (2016, May 16). Canada's plans to legalize marijuana contravene UN's international conventions, say experts. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160516125342.htm
Canadian Medical Association Journal. "Canada's plans to legalize marijuana contravene UN's international conventions, say experts." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160516125342.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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