Episode 95: Cannabis in Canada

Legalized recreational and medicinal cannabis use is spreading across the United States and the globe. For today’s episode, we discuss the implications of cannabis legalization and ways to reduce the harm caused by prohibition by interviewing Dr. Akwasi Owusu-Bempah, an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Toronto, Mississauga. During our conversation, we discuss the racist history behind the term marijuana (30:30), cannabis legalization versus decriminalization (32:12), myths and misconceptions related to the movement to legalize cannabis (34:00), and the international/Canadian war on drugs (36:54). We then have a conversation about the motivations behind cannabis legalization in Canada (40:50), the unintended consequences of cannabis legalization (50:14), the importance of centering equity in the movement to legalize cannabis (56:10), and the future of legalization across the globe (57:53). We close by having a conversation about Dr. Owusu-Bempah’s research on Black men’s experiences with police in Toronto (1:01:15), the response to police misconduct/brutality in Canada compared to the US (1:09:37), and how the election of Donald Trump has shaped conversations about criminal justice (1:11:24).

Other Topics Include:

00:30 - Catch up with Ty and Daphne

03:20 - BhD “Oh Lawd” News

25:00 - Introduction of the Topic

28:15 - Learn more about Dr. Akwasi Owusu-Bempah

1:16:25 - Ty and Daphne Reflect on the Interview

Resources:

• Dr. Akwasi Owusu-Bempah - https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/sociology/faculty-staff/owusu-bempah-akwasi

• Twitter: @AOBempah

• The Untapped Promise of Cannabis Legalization | Akwasi Owusu-Bempah | TEDxToronto - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zhuo3aizOY

• Police blew up an innocent man’s house in search of an armed shoplifter. Too bad, court rules. - https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/10/30/police-blew-up-an-innocent-mans-house-search-an-armed-shoplifter-too-bad-court-rules/

• A judge spoke out about racial bias. Now prosecutors are trying to get her removed from hundreds of cases. - https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/10/31/judge-spoke-out-about-racial-bias-now-prosecutors-are-trying-get-her-removed-hundreds-cases/

• Warren and Buttigieg Surge in Iowa at Expense of Sanders and Biden - https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/02/us/politics/Iowa-buttigieg-warren.html

• Marijuana found in man's nose 18 years after he smuggled it into prison - https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/31/health/marijuana-rhinolith-nose-18-years-prison-wellness-intl-scli/index.html

• Marijuana May Not Be So Effective For Mental Health Issues, Study Finds - https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicegwalton/2019/10/29/marijuana-may-not-be-so-effective-for-mental-health-issues-including-depression-and-anxiety/#46bb106456f0