SOC293H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Traffic Ticket, Vehicle Insurance, Global Marijuana March
Lecture 1: Sociology of Law
Sociology of law is not jurisprudence (knowledge of law), normative (standards) or moral order (defining and
organizing the proper good)
Drug laws in Canada
Controlled drugs and substances act (1996)
- An act respecting the control of certain drugs, their precursors and other substances and to amend certain
other Acts and repeal the Narcotic Control Act in consequence thereof Her Majesty, by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada
- Except as authorized under regulations, no person shall possess a substance included in schedule I, II
(cannabis), III
Christopher James Clay vs The Queen
- Sold hemp products in Ontario, appealed that the prohibition of possession of marihuana infringed section 7
of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which was dismissed
What is sociology of law?
What would a sociologist be interested in studying about drug laws?
1. Who uses drugs
Percentage of the population who used cannabis in past year by age group, 1994 and 2002
- Ages 15-24
- More and more people are using drugs – even in the higher age groups
- 18-24 have the highest drug use in 2002 (peaks at 18-19)
- 15-19 have the highest drug used in 1994 (peaks at 15-17)
Use of marihuana does not change over time – who does the law affect?
- Marijuana use in Canada 2002 vs 2012
Life time use in fairly similar for both years (41 for 2002 and 43 for 2012)
Used in past year also fairly similar for both years (12 for both)
2. Who is affected
Police-reported drug offence rates, by type of drug, Canada, 1997 to 2013
- Cannabis is the most reported
- Cocaine and other CDSA have similar rates
- All three types seem to increase in reported offence rates
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Sociology of law is not jurisprudence (knowledge of law), normative (standards) or moral order (defining and organizing the proper good) Except as authorized under regulations, no person shall possess a substance included in schedule i, ii (cannabis), iii. Sold hemp products in ontario, appealed that the prohibition of possession of marihuana infringed section 7 of the canadian charter of rights and freedoms, which was dismissed. What would a sociologist be interested in studying about drug laws: who uses drugs. Percentage of the population who used cannabis in past year by age group, 1994 and 2002. More and more people are using drugs even in the higher age groups. 18-24 have the highest drug use in 2002 (peaks at 18-19) 15-19 have the highest drug used in 1994 (peaks at 15-17) Marijuana use in canada 2002 vs 2012. Life time use in fairly similar for both years (41 for 2002 and 43 for 2012)
