Cannabis Legalization in Canada Reduces Youth-Police Incidents by Over 50%

The legalization of cannabis in Canada has led to a substantial decrease in incidents between youth and law enforcement, according to a recent study. Published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, the research highlights a significant drop in cannabis-related offenses among young Canadians aged 12 to 17 since the law came into effect in October 2018

The study, conducted by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, analyzed police data from January 2015 to December 2021. It found a 62.1% reduction in daily incidents among young females and a 53% decrease among young males. These findings underscore the Canadian cannabis law's effectiveness in reducing youth criminalization

One of the study's key conclusions is that the Cannabis Act has achieved its goal of reducing cannabis-related crime among youth, thus alleviating the burden on the Canadian justice system. "The results suggest a strong impact of the Cannabis Act on reducing cannabis-related crimes among the youth," the researchers noted, adding that there was no evidence linking legalization to increased property or violent crimes

The broader implications of these findings are significant, especially as Canada prepares for a parliamentary review of the Cannabis Act's public health impacts by 2023. This study provides empirical data that could influence not only Canadian policy but also international discussions on cannabis legalization

Looking to the future, the study's results may serve as a model for other countries considering similar legislation. By demonstrating that cannabis legalization can lead to social benefits such as reduced youth criminalization without increasing other types of crime, Canada sets a precedent for evaluating the merits and drawbacks of cannabis policies globally