On Thursday April 13th, 2017, the Liberals introduced a Bill on the legalization of marijuana. This Bill will have several consequences and among them, changes to the law on drug-impaired driving.

What the bill changes

The introduction of the Bill on the legalization of marijuana will have consequences on several different aspects. From a medical point of view, it will allow individuals who need marijuana for medical purposes to purchase the drug legally. It will also allow other individuals to possess the drug legally for recreational purposes.

How it changes from a criminal law perspective

But from a criminal law perspective, it seems like there will be major changes to the law on drug-impaired driving in Canada. Under the proposed new Bill, new drug-related offences will be created and police will likely have increased powers to arrest drivers they suspect to be driving with drugs in their system. The proposed Bill seems to make the law on impaired driving even tougher.

Is the bill official?

The Bill is still not the official law in Canada as it still has to be passed. Yet it is already causing serious debate and controversy in the legal community. As such, this is currently a hot topic in Canadian Law that will be followed closely.