Law 12
Marijuana… Societal Positioning

Introduction:

We are entering an interesting time where Marijuana has become normalized in many sectors of society. Because of this, citizens of society have been forced to look at the laws governing the use, distribution, and production of Cannabis. There are, essentially, three major positions held on Cannabis each represented by a political part. In summary, the Conservative party looks to keep the laws on Cannabis the same in that they believe it should be a criminal activity with criminal consequences. The Liberal party believes that Cannabis should be legal and heavily regulated. The NDP believes that Cannabis should be decriminalized.

Assignment:

You will be put into 1 of 3 groups:

  1. Illegal
  2. Legal
  3. Decriminalized

Using the textbook, online sources, Criminal Code, Canadian Charter of Rights, and other concrete sources, please come up with an argument in your groups to prove your side is best.

Class time layout:

  1. Day 1
  2. In your groups, come up with a plan on how you are going to be presenting:
  3. Is only one person going to present while the rest take notes, come up with PowerPoints, research articles vs. research public opinion on line vs. research textbook, etc… etc…
  4. Begin research
  5. Compile evidence for your case
  6. The best researchers also get to know the other side of the argument…
  7. Day 2
  8. Put your research together
  9. Visuals are very beneficial to win court cases
  10. Develop and opening statement
  11. This is the teamwork day where you have to know what others in your group are doing so that you work as a cohesive unit.
  12. It is very important to operate on a smooth schedule where each person knows their role and when they speak or what they are researching.
  13. Day 3
  14. Opening statements
  15. Present main points FOR your case
  16. During the oppositions main points, your group must be taking notes if they want to survive the next round otherwise you will have no idea what to confront next class.
  17. Day 4
  18. Research contrasting points
  19. Come up with an argument to destroy their arguments.
  20. Day 5
  21. Present rebuttal
  22. During the opposition’s rebuttal, you will need to be taking notes.
  23. Hear rebuttals and come up with a response
  24. Closing statements
  25. Decision of winning side.
  26. Day 6
  27. Hand in your reflection (if not completed, BAC will be assigned until completion)
  28. There is no class time given for this section
  29. It MUST BE typed, printed, Times New Roman size 12 font, double spaced.
  30. Reflect on:
  31. What was your experience working with your group
  32. Were there conflicts? How were they resolved?
  33. Did everything flow smoothly?
  34. What is your personal opinion on the matter?
  35. Back up your opinion on this issue with multiple sources.
  36. How did your opinion change during your research? Why or why not?
  37. How did you contribute to your group?
  38. List your roll

Group Rubric

Category / Fully Meeting (80-90%)
Opening Statement /
  • Clear. Concise. States main points and explains how your group is going to win.

Main points /
  • Well researched. Clear. Pulls from multiple sources including interviews with citizens, CCR, CC, textbook, Case citations
  • No contradictions.

Rebuttal /
  • Took into account everything that the opposition said and had a logical response for their point.

Closing statement /
  • Sums up your points, puts to rest the oppositions points, logically shows why the judge should choose your side, is clear, respectful, and to the point.

CONSERVATIVES

Stephen Harper has said his party is strongly opposed to the legalization of marijuana, and that it will not happen under his government. The prime minister has been critical of Liberal leader Justin Trudeau coming out in favour of legalizing the drug.Speaking to the media in August 2013, Mr Harper said: “Obviously I think Mr Trudeau’s actions display poor judgment…our priority as a government is not encouraging the spread of drugs, it’s encouraging job creation in this country.” After being urged to do so by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, the government is considering allowing police to write tickets for anyone caught with small amounts of marijuana instead of laying criminal charges.

LIBERALS

In the summer of 2013, Justin Trudeau came out in favour of the legalization of marijuana, a policy his party had adopted a year earlier. He said: "I did a lot of listening, a lot of reading and a lot of paying attention to the very serious studies that have come out, and I realized that going the road of legalization is actually a responsible thing to look at and to do."The Liberals under Justin Trudeau want marijuana legalized because then its sale could be regulated and controlled by the government, making it harder for children and teens to obtain. “It’s one of the only ways to keep it out of the hands of our kids,” he said, “because the current war on drugs, the current model is not working.”He says taxing the drug would also help re-direct marijuana funds away from organized criminals.

NDP

NDP leader Tom Mulcair has said that the use of marijuana should be a “personal choice,” but that there are still medical issues that need to be examined before the legalization of the drug goes ahead in Canada. On the sidelines of last year’s annual Canadian Medical Association meeting, the opposition leader said: “The NDP for 40 years has believed that it makes no sense at all for a person to have a criminal record for possession or personal use of a small amount of marijuana.”Speaking of his own experience with marijuana, Mr Mulcair recalled: “"When I was a student it was part of the culture, but what we were smoking back then was about as strong as oregano compared to what's on the market today.”