Canada’s laws and policies on illegal drugs have broadly paralleled those of the United States. However, they differ in important aspects. This paper discusses some of those differences. It explores the impact of the American colossus on Canada’s attempts to shape drug policies more suited to the temperament of its citizens and the needs of its society. It also examines why drug policy reform in Canada may attract both the support and the ire of groups within the United States.
By Eugene Oscapella, Barrister and Solicitor, Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy
