Pubdate: Thu, 22 Jul 2004 Source: Prince Albert Daily Herald (CN SN) Copyright: 2004 Prince Albert Daily Herald Contact: http://www.canada.com/princealbert/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1918 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Note: Report http://www.statcan.ca/english/ads/82-003-XPE/pdf/15-4-04.pdf INCREASE IN POT USE DEMANDS RESPONSE Cannabis is becoming more and more a way of life for Canadians, according to a report from Stats Canada released on Wednesday. And the numbers indicate educators, law-makers and those setting public policy need to pay close attention to the trend. In 1989, 6.5 per cent of Canadians reported using pot and hashish. That rose to 7.4 per cent in 1994. The 2002 figure reached 12.2 per cent. Predictably, pot and hash are most often used by young people. Almost four out of every 10 teens aged 18 or 19 reported using marijuana or hashish in the year studied. About three in 10 of those aged 15 to 17 reported cannabis use. Use among those in their early twenties was also significant. Over all, at least 41.3 per cent of the population aged 15 or older have tried pot or hash. It is clear the federal government will eventually have to deal once and for all with the issue of legalization of marijuana. But in the meantime, the rate of use should prompt a reality check in terms of educating the public about the implications of its use. With such a high -- no pun intended -- rate of use, some people do not take the potential legal consequences seriously. It may seem like everybody is doing it, but it's still illegal. Sentencing guidelines for simple possession range from a fine of $1,000 to a jail sentence of seven years. While police are receiving some training in how to identify those who are driving under the influence of cannabis, higher use of pot means more effort and resources should go to addressing the problem. According to the Canada Safety Council, using pot or hash diminishes psychomotor skills and attention span while driving. It reduces the ability to perform tracking tasks; at high doses, users drive less accurately and show difficulty with steering. The combined use of alcohol and pot can be especially dangerous for drivers. There is no reliable system for detecting whether a driver has used pot or hash, and no "safe" levels for use have been established. These are necessary steps in light of increased use. Public radio, television and print ads should explain the possible health risks associated with using cannabis. The choice to use pot should be an informed one. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin