Road Safety and the Lifeworld: Unintended Social Barriers of Canada’s New Drug-impaired Driving Legislation

摘要

This article examines the implications that Canada’s new drug-impaired driving legislation may have on cannabis users. It illustrates that the implementation of criminal sanctions to enforce new measures, specifically a ‘per se’ limit for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), may have unintended consequences. The article highlights that, based on the current scientific evidence, it is unclear if the implemented per se limit will reflect impairment in all drivers. Possible consequences of this law are then explored. I note that the new legislation potentially prevents individuals who legally consume cannabis from driving without the risk of criminalization. The implication is that in attempting to legalize cannabis consumption, the Canadian Government has created a framework that may further criminalize cannabis users. This could erect significant social and legal barriers under the guise of criminal justice.