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Marijuana Addiction in the UK and Canada: A Comparative Analysis of Policies and

Legislations

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Marijuana Addiction in the UK and Canada: A Comparative Analysis of Policies and

Legislations

Introduction

Marijuana is among the common drugs that have been subject to extensive public

discourse and addiction is characterised by compulsive use in spite of negative implications. For

instance, frequent cannabis users are at an elevated risk of addiction (Taylor et al. (2017). A

comparison of policy and legislative frameworks associated with marijuana addiction in the UK

and Canada is likely to yield crucial insights into how different nations are dealing with addictive

substances and behaviours. Information from various studies indicates that both nations have

legalised medical marijuana, However, Canada has gone a step further by legalising recreational

use of the drug. It is important to emphasise that two countries adopt different approaches in

terms of cannabis regulation with the UK having a more restrictive approach and only allowing

medical marijuana in limited circumstances and Canada adopting a more liberal stance given the

legalisation of both medical and recreational marijuana use.

The essay compares the policy and legislative frameworks in question and identifies

similarities and differences, policy effectiveness and general impact of marijuana addiction. The

first part of the essay introduces the topic which includes an overview of the addictive behaviour

in the two countries, The next two sections present a discussion of the policy and legislative

frameworks used in UK and Canada respectively. Finally, the report concludes with a

comparative analysis of the two countries’ approaches with the identification of notable strengths

and shortcomings. Generally, the paper provides an in-depth analysis of marijuana policies and
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legislations in the UK and in Canada and includes relevant implications for addictive behaviour

associated with the use of the substance.

Explanation of Relevant Policies and Legislations

The UK categorises cannabis as a Class B drug based on the provisions of the Misuse of

Drugs Act 1971. This classification indicates that the drug is illegal except for particular medical

purposes Schlag et al., 2020). Therefore, parties found producing, supplying or in possession of

the drug may be subject to appropriate legal action. Notably, the introduction of the Psychoactive

Substances Act in 2016 was meant to facilitate the UK government’s control of the production,

distribution, and supply of synthetic cannabinoids that are sometimes referred to as Spice or K2

given that these are more potent than natural cannabis and pose significant health risks (Waugh et

al., 2016). Additionally, according to Stevens (2018), the government has recently revised its

cannabis policy by allowing specialist doctors to prescribe cannabis-based medicines for medical

use since November 2018 (Stevens, 2018). The change is significant and was especially

occasioned by increasing evidence of the therapeutic benefits of cannabis for conditions like

epilepsy and chronic pain (Hurley, 2018). In this context, it is viewed as a necessary intervention.

The allowance is thus limited to medical use and recreational use still remains unlawful.

On the other hand, Canadian policies and legislations provide for both medical and

recreational use since October 2018 as prescribed by the Cannabis Act (Thompson et al., 2018).

The Act focuses on regulating the production, distribution, and sale of cannabis thus ensuring

quality control, restriction of access especially to minors, and reduction of the detriments linked

to marijuana use. This legislation further enforces some regulations including possession limits,

rules for growing cannabis at home as well as the criminalisation of factors such as impaired
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driving (Lam, 2019). Despite having more lax marijuana policies and legislations, Canada has a

comprehensive system for regulating cannabis; this includes a licensing system for producers and

distributors, labelling requirements as well as advertising and packaging restrictions (Thompson

et al., 2018).

Arguably, the most significant most significant policy and legislative difference between

Canada and the UK is based on the legal status of cannabis. While cannabis is still illegal for

recreational use in the UK, Canada has legalised it for use in both recreational and medical

contexts (Hajizadeh, 2016). This is significant because Canada seems to have adopted more

liberal approaches to the use of marijuana while the UK has maintained a restrictive stance

except for unique situations involving medical needs.

Additionally, the UK has only recently permitted limited medical use of cannabis-based

medicines as indicated by Schlag et al. (2020). In contrast, Canada has established a

comprehensive system for cannabis regulation that accounts for both recreational and medical

use. Therefore, Canada appears to have a more extensive regulation framework that has to

account for other risks associated with legalisation. The unregulated production of the drug and

the exposure of minors are some of these risks. This means that while the UK’s legal framework

simply criminalises recreational use of marijuana and only allowing limited medical use, Canada

has had to consider a variety of other factors to ensure that both recreational and medical use are

effectively regulated.

It is however crucial to note that both nations recognise the need to address the potential

risks or harms linked to cannabis use. For example, the introduction of the Psychoactive

Substances Act in the UK was meant to control the production and supply of synthetic
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cannabinoids which often pose significant health risks (Waugh et al., 2016). Similarly, Canada

enacted the Cannabis Act which establishes possession limits, specifies rules for growing

marijuana and criminalises driving under the influence (Lam, 2019). Thus, whereas the two

countries have different policy and legal approaches, their laws recognise the need to regulate

particular aspects of marijuana use to prevent notable detrimental consequences.

Both countries also acknowledge the therapeutic benefits linked to cannabis or marijuana.

In the UK, specialist doctors can prescribe cannabis-based medicines for certain medical

conditions (Stevens, 2018). This is part of the less restrictions mounted against the medical use

of the substance. On the other hand, Canada legalised medical use of cannabis in 2001; this

allows the production and sale of cannabis-based medicines (Thompson et al., 2018). These legal

provisions are indicative of both countries’ recognition of the medical value attached to the

substance and their commitment to ensuring that it is available for those in need.

In sum, the legal status of marijuana in the UK and in Canada forms the primary policy

and legislative difference between the two nations. However, it is crucial to recognise the fact

that both nations acknowledge some of the negative implications associated with its use. Even in

Canada, where recreational use is legal, other regulations for ensuring safe use and protection of

vulnerable populations like minors are in place. Additionally, both the UK and Canada recognise

the medical value of the drug and have laws permitting its use for this purpose. The UK only

allows limited medical use and otherwise criminalises possession and distribution.

Comparison between the UK and Canada

Marijuana addiction forms a major problem in both the UK and Canada with each

country taking a different approach to deal with the issue. The countries have adopted different
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policies and legislations regarding marijuana addiction and this has significant implications on

patterns of use as well as how the governments deal with the addictive behaviour. As noted

earlier in the essay, the UK only allows limited medical use while Canada allows both

recreational and medical use but with some regulations to mitigate other potential risks.

In terms of approaches to addiction, the UK’s Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 classifies

marijuana as a Class B drug. This means that the government maintains a zero-tolerance policy

towards the use and possession of marijuana. It is illegal to possess or use marijuana in any form

and violations may be subject to up to 14 years in prison (Schlag et al., 2020). In addition to

legislative action, the UK government has also taken several measures to tackle the problem

posed by marijuana addiction. Some of these measures include enhancement of drug education

and prevention programs, and provision of support for individuals struggling with addiction

(Taylor et al., 2017). Further, the legalisation of medical use in 2018 provided an opportunity for

safe and beneficial use of the drug as explained by Hurley (2018).

Alternatively, Canada’s approach is considerably different from that taken by the UK. As

noted earlier, marijuana use in Canada was legalised in Canada in 2018 under the Cannabis Act

while medical use has been legal since 2001 (Hajizadeh, 2016). However, in spite of the

legalisation, the Canadian government recognised potentially problematic areas that require

struct regulations. Some of these areas include use among minors, unregulated growing of the

substance and impairment especially when driving. This means that illegal growing of the dug at

home as well as use among minors are prohibited. People driving under the influence may also

be subject to legal action. To further ensure proper regulation, the government has established a

system for the legal production and distribution of marijuana (Lam, 2019). This creates a legal

framework for the production and distribution of the drug as opposed to having an unregulated
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system. Finally, Ames et al. (2020) explains that the Canadian government facilitates initiatives

for providing support and treatment for individuals struggling with marijuana addiction.

Models of Addiction

First, the UK’s approach to marijuana addiction appears to be primarily based on a moral

and behavioural model. As earlier explained, the government has taken a strict zero-tolerance

approach towards use and possession. As such, individuals who break the law can face severe

consequences with up to 14 years in prison (Waugh et al., 2016). Additionally, the government

supports initiatives for educating the public regarding the dangers of marijuana use and provides

support for individuals battling addiction. Therefore, marijuana addiction is viewed in the sense

of the moral and behavioural tendencies that need to be regulated and corrected using the

appropriate legal and policy frameworks.

In contrast, Canada’s approach is arguably founded in a disease and symbolic

interactionist model. In this case, Canadian authorities recognise addiction as a disease and takes

steps to provide treatment and support for affected individuals. Also, as Bonner et al. (2017)

states, the government has put some of its focus on changing the social stigma surrounding

marijuana use by emphasising the potential medicinal benefits of marijuana as well as promoting

responsible use. In Canada, the focus is not on correcting behaviour through criminalisation; the

nation instead focuses on the promotion of responsible use in both recreational and medical

contexts.

Changes in Each Country’s Approach to Marijuana Addiction

It is first crucial to acknowledge that marijuana addiction is not a problem that is limited

to the UK and Canada given its implications for other regions around the world. In the case of
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the UK and Canada, each nation leverages its unique approach to addressing some of the

concerns in question. First, the UK has undergone considerable changes in its marijuana policies

and regulations over the years indicating a shift from a predominantly moral approach to the

consideration of medical prospects. According to Taylor et al. (2017), marijuana use in the UK

was initially viewed from a moral perspective with those using it being regarded as deviant and

criminal. However, some aspects of these perspectives have changed given increasing evidence

of medical benefits associated with the drug.

In light of the new evidence, the UK government has taken steps toward legalising and

regulating marijuana for medicinal use. The most notable milestone was in 2018 when the

government rescheduled some medical cannabis products allowing them to be prescribed by

specialist doctors (Hurley, 2018). However, as Schlag et al. (2020) narrates, the process of

obtaining medical cannabis remains complicated given the various barriers to access.

Canada, on the other hand, adopts a more progressive approach to marijuana addiction.

The country legalised marijuana use for recreational purposes in 2018 (Thompson et al., 2018).

Medical use of the substance was legalised in 2001. It is crucial to note that this decision was

partly based on the notion that criminalisation was not particularly effective in deterring use thus

resulting in an unsustainable use of law enforcement resources. Therefore, legalisation gives the

government more amplitude to regulate production, distribution and consumption of the product

in a manner that guarantees public safety and ensures that vulnerable demographics such as

children as protected. Other regulations such as penalties for driving while under the influence

have also been adopted (Bonner et al., 2017).

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Finally, the social consequences attributable to the changes are considerably varied. For

example, the UK’s shift toward the limited medical use of marijuana from complete

criminalisation has resulted in greater awareness of the drug’s potential benefits. However, the

process of legalising medical cannabis has been slow with many patients still struggling to access

it. On the other hand, Canada’s legalisation for recreational use has led to an increase in

consumption but concerns about potential adverse effects have not been completely averted. For

instance, some sources cite reports of detrimental implications of addiction or prolonged use on

people’s mental health (Ames et al., 2020). In addition, concerns about impairment and exposure

of minors to drug use also form significant social issues that Canada has had to include in its

regulatory actions.

Conclusion

UK and Canadian policies and legislative measures towards marijuana addiction have

significantly evolved over time. In the UK, marijuana addiction has been primarily approached

from a moral perspective while Canada appears to take a more public health approach.

Additionally, both countries recognise the need to regulate marijuana use and have enforced

steps towards decriminalization and legalisation of marijuana. However, the UK only

decriminalises use for medical purposes while Canadian law allows both recreational and

medical use provided that some additional regulations are adhered to.

Notably, some significant problems are still notable in spite of the major changes each

country has experienced. For instance, the use of synthetic cannabinoids in the UK is a major

issue given the serious health implications while marijuana use among young people in Canada

poses a significant social problem (Waugh et al., 2016; Hajizadeh, 2016). Therefore, both
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countries may need to continue monitoring the impact linked to their respective policies and

regulations, and make necessary adjustments to address any emerging issues. Further, additional

research may be necessary to enhance the understanding of the long-term implications of

marijuana use especially on mental health and vulnerable demographics such as the young

population.
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References

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Waugh, J., Najafi, J., Hawkins, L., Hill, S. L., Eddleston, M., Vale, J. A., ... & Thomas, S. H.

(2016). Epidemiology and clinical features of toxicity following recreational use of

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Hurley, R. (2018). Cannabis, cannabis everywhere: UK to review medical cannabis policy as

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Schlag, A. K., Baldwin, D. S., Barnes, M., Bazire, S., Coathup, R., Curran, H. V., ... & Nutt, D. J.

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Stevens, A. (2018). Medical cannabis in the UK. British Medical Journal, 363.

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Tourism Futures.

Hajizadeh, M. (2016). Legalizing and regulating marijuana in Canada: review of potential

economic, social, and health impacts. International Journal of Health Policy and

Management, 5(8), 453.

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Thompson, K., Merrin, G. J., Ames, M. E., & Leadbeater, B. (2018). Marijuana trajectories in

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Bonner, W. A., Andkhoie, M., Thompson, C., Farag, M., & Szafron, M. (2017). Patterns and

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Lam, H. (2019). Marijuana legalization in Canada: insights for workplaces from case law

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