CANNABIS Cannabis legalization didn’t come without lots of pain

2001

This week, the Straight revised its “weed freedom” cover from 2013 because it seemed appropriate in light of Canada becoming the first western industrialized country to legalize pot. Although the Cannabis Act doesn’t represent the true weed freedom that long-time activists have envisioned, it’s still a landmark event in the country’s history.

B.C. has been at the forefront in the long, drawn-out struggle to reduce the stigma of cannabis. Here are some highlights in the recent history.

1907 A white mob attacks Chinatown and Japantown in Vancouver, prompting an inquiry by then deputy labour minister Mackenzie King.

1908 King discovers widespread opium use in Chinatown, leading to passage of a law banning its importation, kick-starting the war on drugs. 1923 Cannabis is added to the federal list of banned drugs.

1936 The film Reefer Madness is released, suggesting that when students try cannabis, they will commit murder, rape, and suicide.

1960s Cannabis use increases as psychedelic music becomes more popular and opposition to the Vietnam War grows.

1967 Straight contributor Peter Hlookoff demands that narcotics officers stop busting people who use cannabis for recreational purposes and calls for those in jail to be released. Go to Straight.com to read it.

1960s Tommy Chong and Cheech Marin meet in Vancouver and later become the world’s most famous stonercomedian duo.

The Straight promotes the Grasstown Smoke-in & Street Jamboree in Maple Tree Square. Police on horseback launch a vicious crackdown. 1994 Marc Emery opens a store on West Hastings Street called Hemp B.C. 1994 David Malmo-levine launches Cannabis Day on July 1 on the north side of the Vancouver Art Gallery. 1995 Emery’s seed business receives front-page coverage in the Wall Street Journal; the first 4/20 protest in Vancouver occurs.

1997 The B.C. Compassion Club Society is formed and it launches what is now the oldest and longest-running dispensary in the Americas.

2000 The B.C. Marijuana Party is launched.

Health Canada establishes a regulation defining which patients are eligible for medicinal cannabis. 2002 Cannabis-legalization activists heckle U.S. drug czar John Walters at a Vancouver Board of Trade luncheon. 2004 Vancouver police raid Da Kine, a café owned by Don Briere that openly sells cannabis.

2005 Emery is arrested and is subsequently extradited to the United States, where he serves four years in prison. 2010 Cannabis-legalization advocate Dana Larsen enters the B.C. NDP leadership race, bowing out before Adrian Dix wins in 2011.

2012 Vancouver Quadra MP Joyce Murray runs for Liberal leader and calls for legalization of cannabis. 2014 Health Canada creates the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations.

2015 The Supreme Court of Canada upholds an acquittal of Victoria resident Owen Smith, who baked cannabis-laced cookies for medicinalcannabis patients.

2015 Vancouver becomes the first city in Canada to regulate cannabis dispensaries.

2015 Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau promises to legalize cannabis.

2016 Following a trial in Vancouver, Federal Court judge Michael Phelan strikes down a ban on medical-cannabis patients growing their own weed. 2018: The Cannabis Act is proclaimed into law.