Pubdate: Wed, 15 Nov 2017
Source: Record, The (Kitchener, CN ON)
Copyright: 2017 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.therecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225
Author: Harold Albrecht
Page: A9

WHAT HAPPENED TO HEALTH AND SAFETY?

Liberals ignoring concerns about decriminalizing pot

On April 13, the Liberal government introduced legislation that would
allow for the recreational use of marijuana for Canadians over the age
of 18, and eliminate penalties for possession of marijuana (up to five
grams) for those between the ages of 12 and 18.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government have repeated time
and time again that the aim of this legislation is to protect our
children and increase public safety. However, neither of these goals
is accomplished with this legislation. This is not just my view. In a
recent Angus Reid poll, approximately two in three Canadians (66 per
cent) said they believe that this legislation fails to prevent young
people from using marijuana more than they already do.

While the government claims that it makes decisions based on facts and
science, this legislation proves otherwise as groups such as the
Canadian Medical Association (CMA), Canadian Psychiatric Association
(CPA) and the Canadian Chiefs of Police (CCP) all oppose certain
aspects of the bill. Both the medical and psychiatric associations
have stated that Canadians who consume marijuana recreationally under
the age of 25 have a higher risk of developing mental illness such as
depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

"Regular cannabis use in youth and young adults can affect aspects of
cognition, including attention, memory, processing speed, visuospatial
functioning and overall intelligence," according to the Canadian
Psychiatric Association. "Worse performance is related to earlier
adolescent onset of use."

Negative health affects related to the recreational use of marijuana
isn't exclusive to children, as the Canadian Medical Association
notes: "Marijuana use is linked to several adverse health outcomes,
including addiction, cardiovascular and pulmonary effects (e.g.,
chronic bronchitis), mental illness, and other problems, including
cognitive impairment and reduced educational attainment."

The Society for the Study of Addiction has found that regular use of
marijuana for one in 10 users results in a dependence problem. If
usage started in adolescence, that number is one in six. It is clear
that the negative health effects of marijuana are not being taken
seriously by this government and the steps they are taking now will
have long-lasting negative effects on Canadians.

Since legalizing the recreational use of marijuana, the state of
Washington has seen drastic increases in vehicular deaths related to
driving under the influence of marijuana. "Authorities in Washington
recorded 436 fatal crashes in 2013, and determined that drivers
involved in 40 crashes tested positive for THC, the active chemical in
marijuana, according to the study (by the American Automobile
Association). In 2014, they found that of 462 fatal crashes, 85
drivers tested positive for THC," the Washington Post reported.

Also concerning is the fact that the American Automobile Association
says there are no proven blood or urine tests that can determine how
high a person is from marijuana, but only determines if marijuana is
in their system.

I have heard from officers in the Waterloo Regional Police Service on
this issue and they say our police forces are not properly funded or
equipped to handle these new dangers.

It's clear that while the government is going to rush ahead with
legalizing recreational marijuana, it is not with the health and
safety of Canadians in mind.

"If Parliament truly cares about the public health and safety of
Canadians, especially our youth, this bill will not pass," said Dr.
Diane Kelsall in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

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Harold Albrecht is member of Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga.
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MAP posted-by: Matt