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).

    More related