Recent debate around the potential decriminalization of marijuana, along with a growing perception that illicit drug use is on the rise, has brought the role of the state in controlling intoxication to the forefront of public discussion. Until now, however, there has been little scholarly consideration of the legal and social regulation of drug use in Canada. In The Real Dope, Edgar-Andre Montigny brings together leading scholars from a diverse range of fields—including history, law, political science, criminology, and psychology—to examine the relationship between moral judgment and legal regulation.
Highlights of this collection include rare glimpses into how LSD, cocaine, and ecstasy have historically been treated by authority figures. Other topics explored range from anti-smoking campaigns and addiction treatment to the relationship between ethnicity and liquor control. Readers will find intriguing links across arguments and disciplines, providing a much-needed foundation for meaningful discussion.

Edgar-Andre Montigny is an independent scholar and lawyer living in Toronto.

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‘Highly informative, carefully constructed, and politically provocative.’

Canadian Bulletin of Medical History, vol 29:02:2012

‘The Real Dope is the real deal for anyone wishing to engage in an informed debate of drug policy in Canada.’

Saskatchewan Law Review, vol 76:2013