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Ø The cost of prosecuting drug
offences in 2000-2001 was $57 million with approximately $5 million or
roughly 10% of the total budget relating to prosecuting cannabis possession
offences.
Ø In 1999, it is estimated Canadian
criminal courts heard 34,000 drug cases that involved more than 400,000 court
appearances.
Ø The Drug Treatment Court
initiatives seem very encouraging, although comprehensive evaluations are needed to ensure these
programs are effective.
Ø Disposition and sentencing data
with respect to drug-related offences are incomplete and there is an urgent
need to correct this situation.
Ø Correctional Service Canada spends
an estimated $169 million annually to address illicit drugs through
incarceration, substance abuse programs, treatment programs and security
measures; expenditures on substance abuse programs are unreasonably low,
given the number of inmates who have substance-abuse dependence problems.
Ø A criminal conviction can
negatively affect a person’s financial situation and his or her career
opportunities, and restrict travel.
In addition, it can be an important factor in future dealings with the
criminal justice system.
Ø Provincial courts of appeal have
so far maintained the constitutionality of cannabis prohibition. They have found that because there is some
evidence of harm caused by marijuana use that is neither trivial nor
insignificant, Parliament has a rational basis to act as it has done, and the
marijuana prohibition is therefore consistent with the principles of
fundamental justice in section 7 of the Charter. These decisions have been appealed, and the Supreme Court of
Canada will soon decide whether cannabis prohibition is constitutionally
sound.
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