Jodie Emery: «The Canadian government doesn't want people to have access to cannabis»

Current discussions in the various Canadian provinces regarding the future legalization of cannabis in 2018 are currently causing concern among supporters of legalization. A ban on personal cultivation, a state monopoly entrusted to alcohol producers, the closure of private dispensaries… Canadians now fear that legalization will benefit only a small group of people—and not necessarily those who fought for it.

Jodie Emery is one of those people. A longtime activist alongside her husband, Marc Emery, she is now sounding the alarm.

What are your current concerns regarding the legalization plans unveiled by the Ontario government (here) ?

Most people are concerned about the Ontario government’s announcement that it will crack down harder on the existing cannabis industry in an effort to replace it with a state-run cannabis monopoly. It will cost taxpayers millions of dollars to set up, and will force them to subsidize a government bureaucracy that costs hundreds of millions of dollars—even though the government itself admits that it will not be able to meet all the demand or generate revenue.

Are you the only one who's worried?

There is a strong mobilization of various groups and organizations. Cannabis dispensaries are very concerned. by the threat of raids and more brutal arrests. Cannabis growers are also concerned.

The police say they don't have enough resources to enforce the future cannabis laws, which has led many people to ask, «Why should the police enforce the law against something that will no longer be illegal?» It is becoming clear, however, to lawyers, activists, patients, licensed medical cannabis producers (who plan to supply recreational cannabis, even though they are already unable to supply all their patients), and tourism and advertising organizations… that cannabis laws will be very strict and repressive at all levels of government.

Why ban small cannabis dispensaries? Isn't it possible to regulate them?

The government wants to control and profit from cannabis, and wants to restrict and limit access to it. It does not want people to have access to cannabis, for many complex reasons. Dispensaries and activists engaging in civil disobedience have prevailed in various Canadian courts, all the way up to the Supreme Court of Canada, ultimately leading to a reform of cannabis laws.

The government refuses to admit that its The war on cannabis was unjust, so he continues to demonize it and to punish today's industry and culture in order to justify his past actions and his plans for the future.

Dispensaries want to operate within a regulatory framework and be legal, and in some places, such as Vancouver and Victoria in British Columbia, Canada has implemented such regulations. It is possible to do so, but some cities, such as Toronto, have decided to ban and criminalize dispensaries.

Could the government change its mind now that it has announced its plans? How?

We hope that lobbying and legal remedies will have an impact. Legal avenues are the only way we’ve made progress, so we’ll be exploring a number of strategies to challenge the government’s plans for a monopoly. Even under prohibition, our community has grown and gained ground, so no matter what they throw at us, we’ll continue to advocate for cannabis to save lives and make our world a better place.

Isn't Ontario already falling victim to the "Big Cannabis" companies (medical cannabis producers), even though the market hasn't opened yet?

There is definitely a significant influence from licensed medical cannabis producers, who are now able to grow and sell cannabis to patients thanks to the victories of patients and activists. Big money has spread throughout Canada's cannabis industry, and the concern is that the Green Rush has turned into Greed Rush (From the "green gold" rush to greed).

I believe in free choice and the free market, but as long as certain companies pressure the government for exclusive rights or unfair advantages, the cannabis industry will be rife with injustices.