Russia: Canada’s Marijuana Legalization Breaches International Law
As Canada sets off to become the second country ever to completely decriminalize marijuana, one international player is saying “no fair.” Russia claims that Canada’s move to legalize the recreational consumption of marijuana is a violation of international law.
Russia cites three endorsed pieces of international law that Canada endorsed, including 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention of Psychotropic Substances and the 1988 UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, all of which are violated by legal marijuana according to Russian officials.
Medical marijuana has been legal in Canada for almost 20 years, and in many places the process of qualifying for medical marijuana is reportedly so simple it is akin to legal recreational marijuana, but according to Russia, because of the legal endorsements of these international laws, Canada is in direct violation of international law and should walk back the legalization.
