Why was cannabis illegal in Canada in Vancouver?

# Why Was Cannabis Illegal in Canada in Vancouver?

Cannabis was illegal in Canada, including Vancouver, for nearly a century before legalization in 2018. This prohibition has a complex history rooted in racism, international pressure, moral panic and outdated scientific assumptions about the plant.

## Historical Origins of Cannabis Prohibition

Cannabis prohibition in Canada began in 1923 when the government added it to the Schedule of the Opium and Narcotic Drug Act without much parliamentary debate. Interestingly, this occurred before cannabis was widely used in Canada. Many historians point to moral reformer Emily Murphy and her book “The Black Candle” which portrayed cannabis as a dangerous substance used by immigrants that would corrupt Canadian society.

In Vancouver specifically, the prohibition was enforced with particular zeal due to the city’s position as a Pacific port with connections to Asia. Authorities were concerned about drug smuggling operations and the influence of what they deemed “foreign substances” on local populations.

## Racial and Social Factors

The initial cannabis laws in Canada, including those enforced in Vancouver, had troubling racial undertones. Cannabis was often associated with Mexican and Chinese immigrants, and prohibition became a tool for targeting these communities. Vancouver, with its significant Chinese population and immigrant communities, saw these laws disproportionately applied to marginalized groups.

Laws against cannabis were frequently used to justify police raids in neighbourhoods like Chinatown and East Vancouver, areas where working-class and immigrant communities lived. This enforcement pattern continued for decades, with arrest rates for cannabis possession consistently showing racial disparities.

## International Pressure

Canada did not develop its drug policies in isolation. Throughout much of the 20th century, international drug control treaties influenced Canadian drug laws. The United States was particularly influential, and when the US launched its “War on Drugs” in the 1970s, Canada followed suit with stricter enforcement and penalties.

Vancouver, being close to the US border, felt these pressures acutely. Border security was increased, and joint operations between Canadian and American authorities became common, all aimed at stemming the flow of cannabis and other substances.

## Medical and Scientific Misunderstandings

For decades, cannabis was classified alongside much more dangerous drugs, based on limited scientific understanding. Government propaganda, like the infamous “Reefer Madness” campaign, painted cannabis as a gateway to insanity, violence and moral degradation.

Vancouver medical professionals and researchers were among those who eventually began challenging these assumptions. The city became home to some of the earliest medical cannabis advocacy in Canada, with organizations forming to support patients who found relief with cannabis, particularly during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s and 1990s.

## Vancouver’s Unique Approach

Despite federal prohibition, Vancouver developed a reputation for a more tolerant approach to cannabis, especially from the 1990s onward. The city saw the opening of compassion clubs that provided medical cannabis to patients, and police often took a lower-priority approach to simple possession charges compared to other Canadian cities.

This tolerance culminated in 2015 when Vancouver became the first Canadian city to regulate cannabis dispensaries through municipal licensing, despite these businesses still being technically illegal under federal law. This bold move reflected the city’s pragmatic approach to cannabis and set the stage for eventual national legalization.

## The Path to Legalization

After decades of prohibition, Canada finally legalized cannabis for adult recreational use on October 17, 2018. This monumental change came after years of activism, court challenges, and shifting public opinion.

Vancouver played a significant role in this journey. The city’s cannabis culture, exemplified by the annual 4/20 celebrations at places like the Vancouver Art Gallery and later Sunset Beach, helped normalize cannabis use and advocated for policy reform. Activists from Vancouver were instrumental in challenging cannabis laws through high-profile court cases that ultimately helped shape the path to legalization.

Today, if you’re exploring Vancouver attractions like the breathtaking Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, you might be surprised to learn that just a few years ago, consuming cannabis before such a visit would have been illegal. Now, after enjoying the stunning views from the suspension bridge, visitors of legal age can stop by Coastal Green, our dispensary, to explore a wide range of legal, quality-controlled cannabis products with the help of knowledgeable staff. The journey from prohibition to legalization represents a significant shift in Canadian society, particularly visible in Vancouver’s vibrant and evolving cannabis culture.