Canada plans to legalize weed – but will those convicted of crimes get amnesty?
Activists argue that without amnesty, many from marginalized communities will continue to feel the effects of outdated laws
The Guardian (UK)
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
As Canada prepares to legalize marijuana this summer, politicians are facing growing calls to grant a blanket amnesty for people convicted under the existing drug laws – many of whom belong to marginalized groups. Since the prime minister, Justin Trudeau, was elected in 2015 on a manifesto promise to legalize cannabis, more than 15,000 people have been charged over marijuana-related offences – joining close to 500,000 Canadians with marijuana convictions on their criminal record. The Campaign for Cannabis Amnesty launched a petition asking the government to consider pardons for possession charges. The group hopes to gain at least 5,000 signatures by the end of May.
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