Keywords
Cannabis, Canada, Ontario, Regulation, Municipalities, Local Government
Abstract
The legalization of cannabis has been a controversial topic within the last two decades in many developed states. The legalization brought medicinal benefits, economic opportunity, and a projected decrease in organized crime. It has, however, also prompted new challenges for different levels of government. In Canada, legalization was a federal decision that was then regulated by provincial governments. However, local governments were on the receiving end of both federal and provincial legislation and regulations that often restricted municipal autonomy with respect to cannabis.
This paper aims to provide a better understanding of the legal and regulatory framework of retail cannabis in Ontario and to contribute to other long-term studies with respect to this matter. Through case studies of the Town of Tecumseh and the Municipality of Lakeshore, it focuses on dissecting the role of municipal governments in the Canadian example of cannabis legalization and regulation. It finds that the downloading of federal policy and provincial regulation has kept municipalities in a subservient state.
Primary Advisor
John Sutcliffe
Program Reader
Lydia Miljan
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Political Science
Document Type
Internship Paper
Convocation Year
2022
Included in
Comparative Politics Commons, Other Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons, Policy Design, Analysis, and Evaluation Commons, Public Administration Commons, Public Policy Commons