An Ottawa defense attorney who testified at the Standing Committee on Health hearings this week has pointed out to MP’s some significant flaws in the legislation designed to legalize marijuana in Canada.
Michael Spratt from Abergel Goldstein & Partners LLP called out the government by saying their unwillingness to fully decriminalize pot will continue to exacerbate court costs and disproportionately harm youth and minorities.
He took the time to speak with Marijuana.com about his position.
(Marijuana.com) When you spoke in front of the Committee, what did you iterate to them?
There were four messages that I wanted to get across to the committee.
As a criminal lawyer, I have seen the incredible harms that marijuana criminalization inflicts upon our community. The stigmatization, the arrests, the imprisonment of individuals who are committing a relatively harmless activity, and that interference with personal choice.
We do know that the black market, criminal gangs, and violence follow prohibition. So I wanted to let the committee know that [the legislation]is a step in the right direction, but there are some serious flaws with this bill from a criminal law…