Over four decades ago, and after several years of exhaustive, Canada-wide research and consultations, the Le Dain Commission of Inquiry into the Non-Medical Use of Drugs recommended cannabis legalization. Unfortunately, the Trudeau government ignored the Commission’s findings – leading to permanent criminal records for hundreds of thousands of Canadians.
Canadian panel urges legalized marijuana
The Courier-Journal (Louisville Kentucky), May 18, 1972
OTTAWA (AP) – A majority report by a Canadian inquiry into non-medical drug use yesterday recommended legalization of simple possession of marijuana or hashish.
Three of the five commissioners, including Chairman Gerald Le Dain, recommended to Parliament repeal of the present prohibition against possession of cannabis, a term for marijuana or hashish.
Two others differed. Marie-Andree Bertrand, an associate professor of criminology at the University of Montreal, recommended a system of legal distribution comparable to the way alcohol is now sold.
Ian L. Campbell, dean of arts at Sir George Williams University, Montreal, recommended that possession of marijuana or hashish still be prohibited, with fines of $25 for first offenders and $100 for repeaters.