Pubdate: Thu, 14 Aug 2014
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2014 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/wEtbT4yU
Website: http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286
Author: Glen McGregor
Page: A4

TORIES WANT DOCTORS ONSIDE OVER POT RISKS

As the Conservatives repeatedly attack Liberal leader Justin Trudeau 
over his support for the legalization of marijuana, the federal 
government has asked three groups representing Canadian doctors to 
endorse a taxpayer-funded advertising campaign warning about the 
drug's health risks for young people.

Health Canada has approached the Canadian Medical Association, the 
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the College of 
Family Physicians of Canada asking them to sign on to the broadcast 
advertising campaign, scheduled to launch some time in the fall.

The organizations would not be required to fund the ad campaign, 
estimated to cost $5-million, but their logos and endorsements would 
appear in them, according to a source familiar with the proposal.

The campaign comes as the Conservative party runs its own attack ads 
alleging Mr. Trudeau's approach to legalization would make it easier 
for children to obtain pot.

On Tuesday, the party premiered an online video highlighting Trudeau 
statements on legalization, with the closing line, "Help keep 
marijuana away from our kids."

The Tories have also repeatedly cited Mr. Trudeau's marijuana 
position in email campaigns aimed at shaking more money out of 
supporters, even though recent polls show Canadians warming to the 
idea of liberalizing marijuana laws.

In a pamphlet sent to constituents earlier this year, Veterans 
Affairs Minister Julian Fantino alleged that Mr. Trudeau wants to 
"make buying marijuana a normal, everyday activity for young 
Canadians" and even charged that the Liberal leader wants to allow 
the sale of pot in corner stores.

In fact, Mr. Trudeau has suggested the government regulate and tax 
the sale of marijuana, similar to provincially regulated beer and 
liquor sales, and says this will help keep the drug away from children.

The ads from Health Canada, aimed at teens and parents, would not 
mention Mr. Trudeau or the Liberals but could present a more 
persuasive case against his approach to marijuana, particularly with 
stamps of approval from three of the country's leading physician organizations.

The endorsements from these organizations would also allow the Tories 
to warn that Canadian doctors oppose Mr. Trudeau's approach to 
marijuana reform. Together, the organizations count nearly 150,000 members.

But the request from Health Canada has made some affiliated with the 
organizations nervous about taking a public stance on what is 
becoming an increasingly partisan political issue, even if many 
physicians are concerned about pot's longterm effects on physical and 
mental health.

One source familiar with the discussions with Health Canada said 
there were concerns that getting involved could undermine an 
organization's perceived neutrality and credibility, potentially 
affecting its ability to advocate on health policy with governments 
in the future.

The ad campaign could also expose the Conservatives to allegations 
they are using government money and Health Canada's brand to 
undermine a political opponent, in the guise of public health awareness.

But the College of Family Physicians of Canada says it is involved 
only to ensure the ads reflect a family-physician perspective on the 
health issues surrounding teenagers and recreational marijuana use.

The CFPC confirmed that it has signed an agreement with Health Canada 
to have its addiction medicine committee review television ads and 
other materials to ensure they are accurate and reflect concerns 
about how the drug can affect adolescents, said Eric Mang, CFPC's 
director of health policy and government relations.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom