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.