Citation

Bernard-Arevalo SP, Dellazizzo L, Marceau, Dumais A. Behav. Sci. Law 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/bsl.2577

PMID

35767629

Abstract

The legalization of cannabis raises many queries, one of which regards the criminal liability of users under the influence of cannabis when crimes against the person are committed. This perspective review consequently aims to examine the defense of mental disorder (also referred to as the insanity defense) in Canadian criminal law and revise court decisions involving cases with cannabis use rendered in the field between 1995 and 2021. The purpose was to specify the factors allowing Canadian criminal courts to grant or refuse the defense of mental disorder to help further operationalize the jurisprudential criteria for forensic practice. We noted that presence of a severe and persistent primary psychopathology was the most decisive factor when determining the verdict of the accused who consumed cannabis.

Language: en

Keywords

criminal responsibility; violence; Canadian criminal law; cannabis intoxication; defense of mental disorder