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July 19th, 2017

As promised during the 2015 election campaign, the Liberal government introduced a bill to legalize marijuana in Canada with Bill C-45, the "Cannabis Act.” Under Bill C-45, Canada would be the first G7 country to legalize cannabis for recreational use nation-wide.

A national system for marijuana regulation is expected to be put in place no later than July 1st, 2018. However, this bill is already moving quickly through the House of Commons and passed second reading vote on June 8th with 200 votes in support and 76 votes against.

THE PROBLEM WITH CANNABIS

Cannabis use has many proven physical and mental effects of concern.

Reports have shown:

▪	Levels of THC (mind-altering chemical) in contemporary marijuana is several times higher than it once was.

▪	Prenatal cannabis exposure is associated with fetal growth restriction and learning disabilities.

▪	Significant health impacts on youth, including irreversible brain damage.

▪	Marijuana smokers have an increased risk of cancer and lung disease.

▪	Cannabis use can result in psychotic episodes characterized by paranoia, delusions, hallucinations.

▪	Frequent cannabis use has been associated with an increased risk of suicide, depression, anxiety disorders.

▪	The THC in cannabis can impair ability to drive safely.

PROBLEMS WITH BILL C-45:

Bill C-45 would transform a mind-altering substance from being illegal to legal and would have significant impact on many spheres of life in Canada.

It would increase the availability of marijuana and the increased social acceptance would translate to a rise in the number of young users who could be negatively impacted by it.

In C-45, the government is also being accused of passing on the bulk of real decision-making to the provinces, such as how the bill would affect driving under the influence laws or marijuana use in public/private spaces such as restaurants, etc.

Also, and perhaps of greatest concern, the bill's recommended minimum age is 18 whereas multiple experts have suggested the minimum age of 25. There has been substantial evidence of irreversible brain damage demonstrated in those using marijuana under the age of 25.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1) PRAY:

Please join us, firstly, in praying that bill C-45 and the legalization of cannabis would be delayed, amended, and/or abandoned altogether. Please pray that many MPs would disagree with the minimum recommended age and that this age would be increased to the suggested 25 years. Please pray against addiction affecting so many Canadians and especially our youth. Let's pray for a spirit of revival that would bring real freedom to all those in bondage to addiction to mind-altering substances.

2) SIGN THE PETITION:

Member of Parliament Brad Trost has sponsored an online petition opposing bill C-45 and the legalization of marijuana. Please sign and also share it with your networks.

You can sign the petition now by clicking here.

3) SEND AN E-MAIL TO YOUR MP:

It is important that we e-mail our Members of Parliament to let them know we oppose legalizing marijuana and ask them to go further than Bill C-45 does to protect Canadian youth from the harmful effects. We must also ask them to ensure that all Canadians are permitted to have roads and highways that are free from impaired drivers as well as clean breathing air in public spaces.

Please click here to find your MP by postal code.

Please also copy the following people in your e-mail: