Thesis Format
Monograph
Degree
Master of Arts
Program
Geography and Environment
Supervisor
Luginaah, Isaac
Abstract
The Government of Canada legalized non-medical cannabis on October 17, 2018. In response to the federal legalization, the Province of Ontario developed regulations to control the use and distribution of non-medical cannabis. Newspaper framing contributes to how the public perceives cannabis legalization. This study examines how Ontario newspapers depicted the legalization of non-medical cannabis in the year before and after the proclamation of the Cannabis Act. Using inductive qualitative content analysis 813 articles were analyzed. While many frames were consistent with previous research, this study uncovered unique findings stemming from the predominant discourse in Ontario media regarding a change in provincial leadership preceding cannabis legalization. These findings underscore the relationship between political dynamics and media framing in shaping public discourse on cannabis legalization, shedding light on the complexities inherent in the intersection of policy, media, and public opinion.
Summary for Lay Audience
Cannabis, often referred to as weed or marijuana, became legal for recreational use in Canada on October 17, 2018. Before this date, cannabis use in Canada was permitted only with a prescription for medical purposes. The legalization allowed any adult to purchase and use cannabis without a prescription, sparking widespread debate in Canada and globally due to differing opinions and limited scientific evidence.
This study analyzed how four major Ontario newspapers, the Toronto Star, the Toronto Sun, the National Post, and the Globe and Mail, covered the legalization of cannabis. It reviewed 813 articles published between October 17, 2017, and October 17, 2019, encompassing the year before and after legalization.
The study found that many themes in the articles were consistent with previous research on media coverage of cannabis legalization in other regions of Canada and internationally. However, it also discovered that a change in Ontario’s provincial leadership, just prior to legalization influenced some of the main themes in the coverage. This highlights how political shifts can impact media narratives and public discourse on policy decisions. Overall, the study underscored the complex relationship between politics and media, illustrating how they interact to shape public opinion on cannabis legalization.
Recommended Citation
Kosmack, Donna M., "High Stakes Headlines: Ontario Newspapers and the Cannabis Legalization Narrative" (2024). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 10452.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/10452
Included in
Health Policy Commons, Human Geography Commons, Other Geography Commons, Other Public Health Commons, Public Policy Commons