Pubdate: Sat, 30 Jan 2016
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 The Windsor Star
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: Brian Cross
Page: A5

WINDSOR-ESSEX HEALTH UNIT CALLS FOR TOUGH REGULATION OF MARIJUANA

Cites Report That Links Early Use of Substance With Development Issues

If Canada's going to legalize marijuana, the local board of health is 
urging strong regulations to keep it away from youth and reduce other 
harmful effects.

In a recently passed motion, the board that governs the Windsor-Essex 
County Health Unit offers no opinion on whether the federal Liberals 
should move ahead with their plan to legalize cannabis - marijuana, 
hashish and hash oil.

But if it happens, it wants the government to bring in policies "to 
make sure everybody is safe and protected from these cannabis-related 
harms," says health unit director Kristy McBeth.

She and medical officer of health Dr. Gary Kirk say two of the key 
health concerns are the developmental damage marijuana use can do to 
young people and the "significant" dangers posed by people driving while high.

While marijuana remains illegal, that doesn't mean young people 
aren't already using it. Almost 15 per cent of local youth between 12 
and 18 report having used it and 12 per cent have used it in the last 
12 months. Yet there is "good evidence," Kirk said, that smoking 
marijuana can negatively impact adolescent brain development.

The health unit cites a recent Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse 
report that links regular cannabis use early in life with behavioural 
and cognitive impairments, poor academic performance, and reduced 
attention, information processing and memory.

"So we think it would be really important to have an age limit around 
it," Kirk said.

He said there are no definitive studies that suggest what the minimum 
age should be. "We know that the brain goes through development in 
early childhood, later in childhood, adolescence, so we would 
probably suggest ... that we at least look at the minimum ages for 
smoking (19) and alcohol consumption (19)."

Almost 10 per cent of licensed drivers of high school age in Ontario 
report using cannabis and driving in 2015. Kirk said that cannabis 
use impairs reaction time and perhaps judgment while driving.

Some studies also suggest long-term cognitive effects, depending on 
the amount of drug use.

And smoking marijuana can also can lead to the same bad health issues 
- - respiratory problems, cancer - caused by smoking tobacco, Kirk said.

At least one other health unit - in Sudbury - has passed a similar 
motion. The Windsor-Essex motion is being sent to various health 
agencies, the federal and provincial health ministers, the Ontario 
premier, local MPs and MPPs, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Former Toronto Police chief Bill Blair, now a Liberal MP, is leading 
the legalization process for Trudeau. Earlier this month he told the 
Globe and Mail that it will be strictly controlled and kept away from kids.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom