Many Canadians can hardly wait for the day that the recreational use of marijuana becomes legal. As a doctor, I'm far less enthusiastic. I worry about two things: the experimental nature of marijuana in medical practice, and the public health consequences of legalized marijuana. Before you write me off as overly prudish or an anti-marijuana conservative, let me say that I'm not opposed to legalized marijuana in principle. I'm just paying attention to the evidence, or rather, the lack of it. My concern is that as marijuana becomes more easily available, Canadians may become more inclined to self-medicate with this drug. [continues 632 words]
Yet another progressive government obviously more concerned with raking in expected windfalls from selling pot, rather than being concerned over the potential harm to young people. Studies in the U.K., the USA and Canada have conclusively shown young people smoking pot run a greatly enhanced risk of damaging their developing brains and suffering psychosis and other mental issues later in life. Our own Canadian Medical Associate has stated nobody should smoke this dangerous drug, containing 85 canninbinoids with unknown long-term health and mental consequences, under 21. [continues 213 words]
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, neurosurgeon and chief medical correspondent for CNN is reported to have said, "Every 19 minutes somebody dies of a prescription drug overdose. It doesn't happen with marijuana." In the past Gupta was against legalising medical marijuana in the U.S. but now he is in favour of it. He sees some benefit for certain types of illnesses. The use of medical marijuana (medical cannabis) as a medicine has not been rigorously tested due to several restrictions. But there is some evidence to suggest cannabis can reduce nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy, improve appetite in people with HIV/AIDS, and reduce chronic pain and muscle spasm. [continues 417 words]
Editor: There is no doubt in my mind that the proposal by the prime minister to legalize marijuana has not been well thought out, especially with the devastating drug problems we are now facing. The effect of narcotics on the development of the brain has been well researched. Scientific studies have proven that mental disorders, schizophrenia, suicides, etc. are much higher among those who take these drugs than those who do not. Postnatal brain development occurs over a long period that lasts into adolescence and some say into the 20s. Our youth are at risk. We certainly do not need more soft drugs on the street that are available to an impressionable age group trying to cope with their own stresses at school, at home, on the street, etc. [continues 288 words]
Re: "Managing future of legal marijuana is inside job," Sept. 16. Michelle Hauser joins millions of other concerned parents over what legalized marijuana means for their young children. Studies in the United Kingdom, America and here have all shown conclusively that marijuana can cause psychosis and other mental problems to those who use this drug when young. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's idea that legalization is the best way to curb black market sales, thereby keeping it away from our children, is right out of fantasyland. In both Colorado and Washington states, organized crime is involved in the distribution of marijuana since it was made legal there. There has been a rush on Colorado emergency rooms by young people who had used the drug. Expect organized crime groups to quickly get involved here, meaning access to our youth. [continues 160 words]
With marijuana legalization just under a year away, what will happen to the medicinal users when their supplies are controlled by the government? Janet Bea* crouched down and covered her head. Her breath came in short bursts. She was about to leave for work, and this was happening, once again. She didn't know why, or how. Her mind began racing, and she couldn't stop shaking. She reached for her phone. She couldn't go to work, not like this. Bea called into work and cancelled her shift so another cashier could take over. Then, she reached for her bong. [continues 2264 words]
Millions of parents are concerned over what legalized marijuana means for their young children. Studies in the United Kingdom, America and here have all shown conclusively that marijuana can cause psychosis and other mental problems to those who use this drug when young. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's idea that legalization is the best way to curb black market sales, thereby keeping it away from our children, is right out of fantasyland. In both Colorado and Washington States organized crime is involved in the distribution of marijuana since it was made legal there. There has been a rush on Colorado ERs by young people who had used the drug. Expect organized crime groups to quickly get involved here meaning access to our youth. Colorado officials warned the Trudeau government that legalization is easy, but that everything that comes thereafter is much more difficult. We already have police departments across the country saying they are not prepared for legalization next July. [continues 121 words]
It's been almost two full years since young Justin Trudeau and his Liberal party performed one of the most impressive revivals of a political party in Canadian history, regaining power from the Royal Canadian Harper Government and providing the country what was, in contrast, a progressive, marketing friendly face to the world. In addition, Young Justin has benefited from the stark contrast between his own public persona and that of the pustule of awfulness that has infested the American White House this year. For many progressives around the world, he has come not only to represent a kind of politics in direct opposition to his American counterpart and a signal of hope to ease the despair of those who see in Trump the moral, economic, and social failure that he represents. [continues 994 words]
We need to figure out how to sell weed in Nova Scotia - we also need to get more stores to sell healthy food. Maybe we can use one problem to solve the other: allow stores to sell weed if they also offer a minimum quantity and quality of fruit and vegetables. Access to healthy food is a major problem in Halifax. Getting to a store that sells broccoli can be a struggle for residents in Harrietsfield, Middle Musquodoboit and parts of urban neighbourhoods like Spryfield and north-end Halifax and Dartmouth. [continues 495 words]
The B.C. government plans to consult with police, local governments and the public before deciding how to sell and distribute recreational marijuana once the federal government legalizes pot next summer. Solicitor General Mike Farnworth told reporters Thursday that "all options are on the table," including selling marijuana through government liquor stores. "We have not made any decisions about that," he said. Farnworth said the government intends to gather suggestions on ways to sell and distribute marijuana, as well as on the appropriate age limit for purchasing it. [continues 556 words]
Government, business community and advocacy groups have varied opinions As the deadline for the federal government's move to legalize marijuana in July 2018 approaches, users, stakeholders, business people and politicians involved in the matter offer a variety of concerns. Hank Merchant, CEO of HBB Medical, a medical marijuana dispensary, welcomes the introduction of guidelines and regulations on the sale of marijuana, "because there are people who have no qualms about operating outside the law." "We, as medical marijuana dispensaries, don't do that," Merchant added. [continues 1044 words]
As marijuana legalization looms, let's remind lawmakers that the focus must be on public health, not criminal justice Twenty-year-old me can't believe 40-year-old me has come to this, sending out a warning call about the dangers of marijuana. There is more than a fragrant whiff of do as I say, not as I did about this column. But 40-year-old me has seen things 20-year-old me hadn't, such as people around me coping with addiction and mental illness. So I'm here to be a wet blanket: As legalization approaches, let's focus on (spoiler alert, old-lady phrase) our young people. [continues 680 words]
Londoners may have found way to reverse THC's psychiatric toll Western University researchers may have found a way to reverse the harmful effects that marijuana use can have on teenagers' brains. The researchers, in a breakthrough discovery, say they've found a way to use pharmaceutical drugs to counter the long-term negative psychiatric effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component in cannabis that gives users the feeling of a euphoric high. Previous research has linked chronic pot use by teens with a range of psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia later in life, with the risk rising the earlier that young people begin using marijuana. [continues 504 words]
According to Dr. Michael O'Malley and Dr. Kiri Simms (via CBC), marijuana-induced psychosis has increased in the last 10 years. I do not dispute their claims. THC in pot sold on the street contributes to the problem. In fact, as with any illegal street-sold drug, the more potent the active ingredient, the better for sales. Yet, it's highly unlikely that the seller is concerned about the amount of THC in the pot he sells on the street, except for repeat sales. [continues 312 words]
Matthew M. Elrod from Victoria writes to the Prince George Citizen claiming there is no evidence that cannabis increases the rates of psychosis. I suggest that he (and any readers of The Citizen who may want to hear some clear evidence about marijuana induced psychosis) listen to the recent CBC Victoria broadcast on this very subject. In this interview Dr. Kiri Simms, an emergency room psychiatrist, gives an eloquent account of the increasing marijuana induced psychosis that she sees on a daily basis. [continues 102 words]
Dr. Michael O'Malley asserted that "incidence of psychosis has already been documented by some of the states in the U.S., who rushed to legalization of marijuana." ("Pot stance off-base," Letters, Aug. 16). There is no evidence that cannabis usage rates have gone up in the U.S. states that have legalized cannabis, much less that rates of psychosis have increased. There is some evidence that cannabis strains that are high in THC but low in the anti-psychotic cannabinoid CBD, as well as some important terpenes, may trigger psychosis in minors so predisposed. Unfortunately, black market cultivators and dealers prefer such strains and they do not require proof of age. [continues 124 words]
I am disappointed and alarmed at the lack of balance in the editor's recent editorial on marijuana in the Citizen. He ignores the science that has clearly documented the neurotoxic effects of marijuana in the developing brain of the teenager. Having worked here in Prince George as a family doctor for 31 years and since then for nine years as a G.P. psychiatrist I see the destruction that this drug is responsible for when it sparks psychoses in some individuals. The incidence of this condition will rise with legalization of this drug. This rise in the incidence of psychosis has already been documented by some of the states in the U.S., who rushed to legalization of marijuana. [continues 62 words]
Mental health group recommends strict rules on legalized weed sales When it becomes legal next July, recreational marijuana should be sold with more restrictions than that other weed - tobacco - says the Canadian Mental Health Association's Ontario branch. The group will release a position paper today calling on the province to ban pot smoking in cars with a "zero tolerance" policy, cap the amount of THC in cannabis products and use all tax revenues from them to boost addiction and mental health services. [continues 735 words]
Province aims to inform public on the risks associated with the use of marijuana Think of it as Reefer Awareness, not Reefer Madness, an over-the-top 1936 film preaching the evils of marijuana. With less than a year until the federal government legalizes recreational marijuana, Ontario is starting work on a public education campaign to highlight health and other dangers of pot - particularly to young adults. Health Minister Eric Hoskins wants the effort to hit the airwaves, newspapers and social media well before the new pot law kicks in next July 1 with 19 the likely age of majority in this province. [continues 473 words]
