LAWS 2303 ‑ Cannabis Law, Regulation and Policy

CREDIT HOURS: 1

This is a one credit intensive course on the key legal, regulatory, commercial and policy issues related to legalisation of cannabis in Canada. The course will provide a theoretical and historical analysis of the path to the legalisation of cannabis. The focus will be on Canada, with some reference to international developments. The course will examine, among other things, the history of cannabis legalisation in Canada; the legal regime created by the Cannabis Act; jurisdictional, constitutional and regulatory challenges created by the legalisation of cannabis in Canada; health, pharmacological and commercial dimensions of legalisation; and future challenges. The course will be taught by Anne McLellan and Darrel Dexter. Anne McLellan is a senior advisor with the law firm of Bennett Jones, LLP and is the former chair of Canada's Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation. Darrell Dexter is Vice Chair of Global Public Affairs and as Chair of their cannabis CONNECT practice, works as an advisor for the firm’s cannabis industry clients. They are both frequent speakers in national and international fora on various aspects of the legalisation and regulation of cannabis. They will take the primary responsibility for teaching this course, complemented by guest speakers.

Prerequisite(s): None.
Co-requisite(s): None.
Assessment Method: This course does not fulfill the Law School's major paper requirement. Attendance at every class is mandatory. Assessment will be on a pass/fail basis, based on class participation (including a brief class presentation) and a take-home essay of 2000 words. Students will be provided with a detailed course outline which will include readings to be completed before the first class, information on the evaluation and assessment expectations, and the due date of the essay assignment.
Restrictions: Students are not permitted to audit this course.