Pubdate: Wed, 14 Dec 2016
Source: News, The (New Glasgow, CN NS)
Copyright: 2016 Transcontinental Inc.
Contact:  http://www.ngnews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3343
Page: 6
Referenced: http://mapinc.org/url/spC7LQBu

TASK FORCE STILL HAS WORK TO DO

This must be some sort of lapse of the synapse. One of the key
warnings regarding coming legalization of marijuana didn't make the
impression warranted.

Health professionals have tried to stress the importance of keeping
recreational marijuana away from young people. Last month, the
Canadian Paediatric Society urged that the federal government ban
sales to those younger than 18 or 19, depending on the province, to
correspond with age limits for alcohol and tobacco sales.

The federal task force in charge of recommendations, in releasing its
report Tuesday, chose the low end of that age spectrum, saying sales
should be limited to people 18 and over.

In fact, the Paediatric Society expresses a greater degree of caution
in this area. Referring to the fact that brains develop well past the
age of 20 and that cannabis can affect both the structure and
functionality of young brains, the society would like to see other
rules. It suggests that those up to age 25 be restricted to buying
product with a lower concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol - the THC
level.

As many have observed - and adults who turned on decades ago should
take note - the levels of that psychoactive ingredient have increased
drastically with newer strains, delivering a far greater high.

Age levels for various activities are largely arbitrary. We allow
young people to get a driver's licence at age 16 - although with
restrictions in most provinces. Some youth might well be capable
before 16, but some aren't ready for the required skills and
responsibility until after that age.

We could say the same applies to opening the doors to availability of
substances such as alcohol and tobacco. Again, younger brains are
still developing; they're also much more vulnerable to slipping into
patterns of addiction and altered behaviour.

With that in mind, how on earth did the task force land on the age of
18 to allow sales of marijuana, lower THC levels or not? As noted in
other recommendations, sales of pot should not be allowed in the same
outlets as sales of alcohol or tobacco. So why would anyone feel a
need to align the age limits on these products? That's absolutely
devoid of logic.

There are still plenty of challenges, such as the means for police to
test drivers suspected of being under the influence.

Regarding youth, most parents know telling them what to do isn't
always straightforward. That means a stepped-up educational component
aimed at young people will be essential - realistic information, not
the "Reefer Madness" approach. Some will disregard the advice, but at
least some will get it.
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MAP posted-by: Matt