Identifying the impacts of cannabis legalization on youth, and the responses that can be taken by public institutions
Publication year: 2017
With the Canadian government set to introduce
legislation in the spring of 2017 to legalize the use of
cannabis, there is a need to plan for any health and
social challenges associated with this policy change.(1)
Though the Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and
Regulation has produced a report outlining
recommendations for the protection of public health
and for minimizing harms, the exact policies and
implementation strategies surrounding cannabis
legalization remain unknown.(2) Furthermore, these
policies may undergo revisions and refinements by
provincial and municipal jurisdictions, making the
timeframe until cannabis is legally available for public
purchase and use unclear. Public institutions, such as
colleges and universities, will need to address the health
and social consequences of cannabis legalization on
students, faculty and staff (e.g., through the creation of
new guidelines or programming that targets cannabis
users).