Cannabis Arrest Statistics

TOTAL 2,449,660
* Estimate no data found

Canada: Nationwide Legalization in 2018

When Canada became the first G7 nation to legalize recreational cannabis, policymakers and citizens alike were curious about its impact on crime rates.

Key Findings (Statistics Canada, 2022 Report):

• Cannabis-related arrests dropped by 62% after legalization.
• Drug trafficking charges decreased significantly.
• No measurable increase in violent crime was observed across provinces.

Legislative Time-Lines

Know Your Rights

Understanding your rights is crucial when dealing with cannabis-related legal issues:

• Pardons for Simple Possession of Cannabis Convictions
• Cannabis Possession Limits
• Traveling with Cannabis
• Cannabis and Employment Rights
• Cannabis and Driving Laws
• Charter of Rights and Freedoms
 
Legal Cases
• Ontario Court of Appeal: Findings of fact regarding cannabis
• John Conroy - drug law test cases
• POLCOA cases
• Compassion Club rulings
• Allard V. HMQ (the MMAR/MMPR issue)
  Decision February 26, 2016
  nterlocutory Constitutional Exemption March 21, 2014 [PDF] Order
• February 2, 2009: R. v. Beren ( Charter challenge)
• Grant Krieger: PROCEDURAL HISTORY
• 2006: Supreme Court of Canada Grant Krieger (2006) (Jury Nullification case)
• Court of Appeal: Cultivation: Acquittal | Trafficking: new trial
• Dec. 11, 2000: Grant W. Krieger -     [Appealed by Crown]
• June 20, 2001Grant W. Krieger - jury trial acquittal:    [Appealed by Crown] [Back to jury]
• July 2000: Parker Appeal
• 2000: an Hunter - Seed Case
• 2001:Jim Wakeford Decision
• 2002: U.S.A. v. Licht (DEA conduct in Canada case)
• Jan. 2, 2003: R.v J.P. Phillips Decision [Appealed by Crown]
• March 14, 2003: Ronald Stavert (PEI)
• May 16, 2003: R.v J.P Appeal Rogin Judgment (upholding Phillips) Crown Appeal dismissed
• Sept. 4, 2003: R. V. Masse [Cannabis possession in B.C. struck down]
• 2003-10-06: R.v.Graham & Parks ("Abuse of Process" ruling)
• July 13, 2007: R. vs. Long ( Borenstein decision) (Cannabis possession laws unconstitutional)
• July 26, 2007: R. vs. Long (Reasons for Judgment)

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• Jan. 10, 2008: Carousel Harvest Judgement (Hon. Barry Strayer) [PDF]
• Jan. 31, 2008: Carousel Harvest Notice of Appeal [PDF]
• Mar. 19, 2008: Stay of Judge Strayer's Jan.10/08 Carasel decision
• Oct. 27, 2008 Carasel upheld - Federal appeal denied

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• August 14, 1997: Chris Clay Decision
• July 2000:Chris Clay Appeal (See: Supreme Court, Dec.13 2002)
• Caine Decision
• Malmo-Levine / Caine Appeal (See: Supreme Court, Dec.13 2002)
• Supreme Court of Canada Malmo-Levine, Cain decision
• Supreme Court of Canada Clay decision
• R v Smith
  Oct.7, 2003: Links to all the Ontario Court of Appeal cases
• WARREN HITZIG, ET AL
• TERRANCE PARKER
• TERRANCE PARKER ET AL
• j J.P. (A Young Person)
• JOHN C. TURMEL
 


Affidavits from the Clay Trial



• Hans-Jorg Albrecht
• Bruce Alexander
• Marie Andree Bertrand
• Neil Boyd
• Patricia G. Erickson
• Dr Lester Grinspoon
• John P. Morgan M.D.
• Eugene Oscapella
• Robert Randall
• Diane Riley
• Neev Tapiero

Current Legal Framework

The laws governing cannabis in Canada continue to evolve. Below are official sources for the latest policies:

• Cannabis Act
• Health Canada - Cannabis Regulations
• CanLII - Cannabis Legal Cases

Legal Cases & Precedents

Explore key legal cases that have shaped cannabis laws in Canada.

• R v Parker - A landmark case that led to changes in medical marijuana access.
• R v Smith - Established the right to extract cannabis for medical purposes.
• Allard Decision - Strengthened patient access to medical cannabis.

Other Information

• Criminology In Action: The Legalization of Cannabis
• Cannabis legalization and positive drug tests – now what?
• Four Decades of Cannabis Criminals in Canada 1970-2010
• The Mystery of Cannabis Criminalization in Canada