Pubdate: Tue, 23 Feb 2016
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.ottawasun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Elizabeth Payne
Page: 3

DIRE WARNING AT PUBLIC POT FORUM

Not to be a buzzkill, but if the feds plan to go ahead and legalize
pot, they need to put strict controls in place to keep it out of the
hands of kids.

Why? Because pot hijacks the still-developing teenage brain.

That was the loud-and-clear message Monday at a public forum held by
the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.

Despite what many teens believe, the forum heard, marijuana is far
from harmless for them.

Because of the rapid changes in brain structure and function that
occur during adolescence, "use of cannabis during this developmental
period can have negative cognitive, mental health and physical
effects," according to a 2015 report from the CCSA called: The Effects
of Cannabis use during Adolescence.

A growing body of evidence points to serious mental and cognitive harm
for some youth who use marijuana frequently. The earlier frequent use
begins, the greater the potential for damage, said Dr. Andra Smith, a
neuroscientist and psychology professor at the University of Ottawa.

"Earlier is worse, because the teenage brain is still developing and
it seems like cannabis is hijacking that development. That is the
problem," she said.

The centre is calling for strict regulation, if marijuana is
legalized, to keep it out of the hands of youth.

That may be a losing battle. Canadian youth use marijuana more than
kids in any other developed country, according to the most recent
World Health Organization data.
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MAP posted-by: Matt