Proposed legislation on the topic of recreational use has made this a hot topic. Many people in Ontario and across Canada are paying attention to the statistics surrounding marijuana offences. Despite an increase in drug charges, the number of pot offences reported to the police were down again last year. The numbers come from a recent Statistics Canada report, which shows that arrests related to the drug are down for the fifth year in a row.
This may signal a change in attitudes among Canadians as many people are choosing not to contact the police regarding marijuana possession and other pot-related crimes. The total tally of police-reported crime related to the substance was 55,000, which is 6,000 less than the year prior. This statistic stands in stark contrast to other numbers showing that use of the drug is increasing.
Arrests for other crimes, such as violent offences, drug charges and child abuse are on the rise. Police officers suggest that new laws and harsher penalties are contributing to this number. Homicides have decreased by 1 percent relative to population, with the highest homicide rate taking place in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Changing laws and attitudes toward substances and criminal offences can affect these statistics in a major way. However, drug charges are still a common issue in Ontario. Although fewer marijuana-related crimes are being reported, 17,733 people were charged with possession last year. This substance has not yet been decriminalized, so finding a dedicated defence lawyer is a good idea for anyone facing substance-related charges.
Source: CBC, "Pot charges drop in 2016, Statistics Canada reports", Joanna Smith, July 24, 2017
No Comments
Leave a comment