Thank you to all the witnesses for being here.
I want to start by saying that since the Le Dain commission in the early 1970s, the issue of legalization of cannabis has been on the public policy agenda for decades. I have no illusions that we wouldn't be sitting here today talking about a form of what I'm going to call decriminalization and not legalization of cannabis without the work of many people who have sacrificed a lot.
Mr. and Ms. Emery, I can't think of any two people who are more important to hear from on this legislation than you. I know you've dedicated your lives to this subject, and at great personal cost and sacrifice. I want to just make that comment.
Ms. Emery, I want to start with you about the broad scheme of the bill. You have described this bill as, “This is not legalization. It's Prohibition 2.0...”. Can you please explain that?