The Facts on Marijuana and Its Societal Value

The Role of Marijuana in Society

While it has long been considered an illegal drug that should only be used in the rarest of circumstances for medicinal purposes, marijuana is slowly becoming a popular drug of choice for Canadians. Our team at Toronto Defence Lawyers has completed significant research into this topic, and we're now highlighting several data points showing the value of legal marijuana and its use in today's society.

Marijuana Reduces Opioid Deaths

The data shows the states that have legalized marijuana use have the lowest number of opioid-related deaths. And this means that marijuana can be used to help tackle the opioid crisis, which is destroying families and having a negative impact across the country. For each year that marijuana remains legalized, the number of opioid-related deaths drops.

Illegal Markets Increase Risk

The studies also show that legalizing marijuana now can help to keep Canadians safe against the damaging effects of unregulated marketplaces. In recent research, teams found that 1/3rd of Toronto dispensaries don't comply with the current standards for marijuana sales. Other studies have shown that large traces of sewage and soil have been found in marijuana sold by local dispensaries.

Government Can Control DUI Laws

Without a system in place to control the sale and use of marijuana, the government has a limited ability to enforce DUI laws when it comes to marijuana use. Those under the influence of marijuana have been able to get behind the wheel of a car, and police have had little ability to penalize this behaviour. Now, with the legalization of marijuana the government can provide police with the tools to measure marijuana intoxication levels, thereby reducing unsafe driving and helping keep drivers and passengers safe.

Our team is here to guide you on the latest changes to the Canadian marijuana marketplace. To discover more on the topic and the data behind the latest research, review our new infographic, here.