Canadian Supreme Court Rules Marijuana Criminalization is Constitutional

TORONTO, December 23, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Supreme Court of Canada upheld its marijuana possession laws today, declaring that the potential health effects of marijuana use are “neither insignificant nor trivial.” The 6-3 majority decision came today after a court challenge by three men who feel the law “deprives offenders of their liberty.”  The court maintained that marijuana use “creates a potential harm to others when the user engages in driving, flying and other activities involving complex machinery,” and that there is nothing unconstitutional about the government criminalizing marijuana based on public health concerns.  The court remains particularly concerned for vulnerable groups, who they say are “at particular risk, including adolescents with a history of poor school performance, pregnant women and persons with pre-existing conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, schizophrenia or other drug dependencies.”  Read Globe and Mail coverage of the decision at:  https://globeandmail.ca/servlet/story/RTGAM.20031223.wpott1223_5/BNStory/National/