Pubdate: Sat, 24 Jun 2017
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2017 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/wEtbT4yU
Website: http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286
Author: Kristy Kirkup
Page: A4

EXPERTS OFFER 10-POINT PLAN TO REDUCE RISKS OF MARIJUANA USE

Canadians among highest users in world

OTTAWA - Six of the country's leading health organizations endorse 10
new cannabis recommendations designed to help reduce the risks
associated with using marijuana - which is set to become legal in a
year.

Public health experts say some of the harms associated with marijuana
include the risk of developing problems with memory and physical
co-ordination.

The guidelines, published Friday in the American Journal of Public
Health, include recommendations for people to avoid cannabis if they
are pregnant or at risk of mental health problems, as well as delaying
marijuana use until later in life and limiting consumption.

The guidelines also say driving under the influence of cannabis can
substantially increase the risk of being involved in a motor-vehicle
crash resulting in injury or death, adding drivers should wait at
least six hours to get behind the wheel following use.

The suggestions flow from work conducted by the Ontario arm of the
Canadian Research Initiative on Substance Misuse - a national
initiative funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

An extensive body of scientific data form the basis for the
recommendations, Dr. Benedikt Fischer, a senior scientist for the
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, said Friday. He said the risk
to users can be modified by choices, including how much and what
people consume.

"One of the opportunities for us to improve public health related to
cannabis use is by influencing and providing users with informed
evidence on how to reduce risks," Fischer said.

The guidelines, which Fischer said have been endorsed by his
organization as well the Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian
Public Health Association, the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine,
the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction and the Council of
Chief Medical Officers, will now be distributed to governments, health
authorities and public health agencies.

He said public health researchers are realistic and accept the fact
that Canadians, especially young people, are among the highest
cannabis users in the world.

"We cannot just go on and preach the old story," he said, noting a
balance must be struck between preventing early use, while giving
people information on how to lower their risks as much as possible.

"That's the balancing act and we have, now under legalization, not
just the opportunity but we have the responsibility to do that."

Public health experts say some of the harms associated with marijuana
include the risk of developing problems with memory and physical
co-ordination, impaired perceptions, mental health challenges, chronic
respiratory problems and reproductive issues. In April, the federal
government introduced legislation designed to legalize, regulate and
restrict access to marijuana for people over the age of 18.

Health Minister Jane Philpott said Friday she welcomes the guidelines,
noting her department considers them important to help cannabis users
reduce health and safety risks.

The government intends to bring the law into force no later than July
2018, Philpott said.
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