Nova Cannabis in Toronto. Photo credit: Toronto Life/Giordano Ciampini
The inherent contradictions of American cannabis laws seem to appear in the news almost every week.
At the state level, for example, Virginia recently became the latest jurisdiction to allow adult cannabis use, effective this July 1. But just days later, a court upheld United States federal tax laws that treat state-licensed cannabis businesses as illegal drug traffickers.
To resolve conflicts like this, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says he’ll introduce legislation to “decriminalize” cannabis federally.
In drafting his bill, he should draw inspiration from Canada. Congress might be too divided for full legalization this year, but it can begin providing the clarity that Canada’s approach offers.
Congressional action is clearly needed, as federal law has fallen behind states’ efforts in three ways.
First, state-level legalization means every state’s laws are different.
Consequently, state-licensed businesses face operational inefficiencies and fragmented markets. And medical users authorized by one state can get arrested in another.
Second, cannabis remains federally illegal even where states legalize it. This means state-licensed cannabis companies have trouble getting bank accounts and financing, compelling them to operate mostly in cash. That makes them prime robbery targets.
Meanwhile, consumers can’t legally carry state-authorized cannabis across state lines, although many do.
Federal illegality also impedes research. The Senate drug caucus and several federal agencies have made clear they want more cannabis studies. But the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) permits just one university to grow cannabis for research. It has stalled federal licensing of new growers and blocked research involving state-licensed cannabis.
Third, the U.S. government is inconsistent about enforcement.
For example, Congress bans federal authorities from acting against states’ medical cannabis systems. That ban must be renewed annually to remain in force.
Similarly, former president Barack Obama’s administration chose not to prosecute state-licensed cannabis businesses. But that hands-off policy was cancelled under his successor, Donald Trump.
By comparison, Canada’s approach is clearer.
The Canadian government began legalizing medical cannabis in 2001. It authorized recreational use of cannabis flower and oil in 2018, followed by edibles and lotions in 2019.
The government wants legal products to attract existing users without encouraging new ones, so it allows a variety of products.
But there’s little advertising and packaging is plain.
Medical sales are nationally regulated. Physicians can authorize cannabis treatments, and patients then can grow plants themselves or buy products from licensed producers.
Meanwhile, provincial governments oversee recreational sales. Some operate public-sector shops while others license private-sector outlets.
This system lets businesses ship cannabis across provincial borders and integrate their operations nationwide. They can accept credit cards and list shares on stock markets.
It also lets public agencies support cannabis-related activities. This creates some interesting cross-border contrasts:
– Veterans Affairs Canada spends millions of dollars annually reimbursing vets’ medical cannabis expenses. By comparison, U.S. Veterans Affairs won’t let physicians prescribe it.
– Canadian cannabis companies collect pandemic aid funding from their government. But American firms were mostly excluded from the March U.S. relief package.
– Most Canadian government employees, including soldiers, can use cannabis off-duty. Meanwhile, White House staff and other U.S. workers risk penalties if they consume.
Canada’s legalization hasn’t been flawless. Product shortages initially hampered sales. But once those eased, sales grew as quickly as stores could open.
Prices dropped as competition increased. In Ontario, retail prices now start below $4 per gram (US$3 per gram), including taxes. That undercuts many illicit sellers.
Legal sales now represent most Canadian usage. That’s a dramatic shift away from illicit markets.
The political mood shifted too. Cannabis was barely mentioned during Canada’s 2019 election campaign. Voters have accepted that cannabis is legal.
Canada illustrates the merits of full national legalization. However, what worked in Canada might not work in the U.S. Congress might not pursue full legalization this year. But it can start giving Americans more of the clarity that Canadians enjoy.
The SAFE Banking Act is just a first step in this direction. If passed by the U.S. Senate, it will help cannabis companies access bank accounts, insurance and credit cards. But further measures are needed to allow standard federal tax deductions, stock market listings and interstate shipping.
Congress should also embrace cannabis research. Veterans Affairs and the DEA should support scientific projects, including studies of commercial cannabis products.
Replacing temporary provisions with permanent laws is another priority. Medical access shouldn’t depend on annual vote scrambles. Business continuity shouldn’t hang on attorney generals’ preferences.
Decriminalization, or however Schumer ends up defining it, on its own might be better than nothing. However, letting Americans use cannabis legally, but not buy it legally, might create more problems than it solves. And it wouldn’t remove banking and research obstacles.
Cannabis policy isn’t easy — every option involves trade-offs. Canada proceeded in phases and now has a three-year head start at finding the best approach. Congress should begin that journey too.
Michael J. Armstrong is associate professor of operations research at Brock University’s Goodman School of Business. Paul Seaborn is assistant professor in University of Virginia’s Daniels College of Business. This article first appeared on The Conservation, April 29, 2021. Republished here under Creative Commons.
