Ron Marzel

Ron Marzel is a lawyer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[1] His specialty is opposing Canada's cannabis laws.[2] He also represents landlords.[3] In 2008, he represented Dispensing With Care, a coalition that was opposing restrictions on the Ontario Drug Benefits Plan.[4] Alan Young, another Toronto-based lawyer, advised Marzel in this case.[5] In 2010, he was the defence lawyer for Neev Tapiero, a member of Cannabis As Living Medicine (CALM).[6] The case had been initiated by a police raid on CALM's headquarters, which Marzel called "a totally inappropriate response to an organization that is seeking legitimization to help sick people."[7] In a Facebook post, Marzel promised to seek court "condemnation" on the police raid and voiced his opposition to the "dysfunctional medical marijuana program" run by Health Canada.[8] In Bedford v. Canada, Marzel sought to have Canada's anti-prostitution laws declared unconstitutional, saying that "there are consenting adults who want to go into" prostitution. Natasha Falle, a former prostitute, was angered by this statement, responding that 97% of prostitutes are not engaging in prostitution by choice, and that "the voices of the overwhelming majority of women who want to get out of prostitution are being drowned out by a vocal few."[9] In 2013, Marzel served as the defence lawyer for Maxim Popovitch, a medical cannabis seller and grower.[10]