SOC313H1 Lecture Notes - Harm Reduction, Narcotic Control Act, Harrison Narcotics Tax Act
Document Summary
Canada"s drug policy: history, 19th century few restrictions few restrictions on the sale and the use of substances. It was only toward the end of the century that people got concerned with drug use. The immigration of asians was encouraged b/c they were building the railroads across canada. When unemployment/railroards weren"t built they became really concerned with opium use: 1908 canadian opium act. 1911 opium and drug act (now includes morphine & cocaine) New development of prohibition against possession of the purposes of trafficking. New law required anyone found with drugs in their possession had to prove that the dugs were for their own use and not for sale. The burden of proof on the individual that was accused made prosecutors jobs a lot easier: 1961: narcotics control act: increases severity of sentences. Increased the severity of offenses for drug offenses. Increase the punishment for people who are found trafficking drugs. The number of convictions for weed increased too.
