Privatization of Cannibis

    This particular scenario succeeds in addressing the disproportionate impacts of criminalization on black and Indigenous communities. The policy proposes a system in which Canadians can petition for conviction changes. However, this proposal lacks a consideration for access barriers, including legal and administrative challenges, that marginalized Canadians could struggle with. This would be an important consideration in the future. Furthermore, the scenario’s narrative fails to represent the involvement of, or impact on, women

    Cannabis culture has long been a male-dominated sphere, with conceptions of the “weed-smoking bro” clouding conversations around it. Where cannabis meets corporate Canada, female representation is no stronger. According to The Canadian Press, only 5% “of the board seats at publicly traded marijuana producers are currently occupied by women” (1). It is incredibly important that Canadian marijuana legislation considers its unique impact on women and minorities. Marijuana, for example, has significant implications on women’s health. Clinical studies support the use of cannabinoids for chronic pain conditions, such as Multiple Sclerosis (2) ; a condition which is more likely to affect women (3). Considering its use for chronic pain conditions, the legalization marijuana also has implications for people with (dis)abilities.(4) Medical marijuana considerations are also related to the treatment of menstrual cramps, pre- and post-natal effects of cannabis, and the use of marijuana for conditions that disproportionately affect women,(5) like osteoporosis.(6) Furthermore, a legal marijuana industry offers women—and all Canadians—a significant economic opportunity. According to Statistics Canada, Canadians spent an estimated $5.7 billion on marijuana in 2017 (7). This offers valuable opportunities for women as economic producers and consumers. In total, Canada’s marijuana policy has the potential to create safe and legal business and health sectors where women can be equally-represented. Without feminist principles, marijuana legislation has the potential to exclude the voices of women and marginalized minorities from a key policy sector.

    How do we bring feminism to the policy table? Representation can be enhanced to promote the polyvocality and active participation of female, feminized, and marginalized voices.