The Legalization of Cannabis: The Road Walked and the Path Ahead Saint-Sauveur November 1–2, 2018

Who Are You? What's your position on legalization? It's a good thing. We can't do anything about it, so why worry? It's a bad thing. It’s our actions that will make it good or bad.

Presentation Outline Why legalize? Harm reduction What's true, what's false? Law of effect The product Its active ingredients Why do our young people smoke? Recognizing intoxication Effects of chronic consumption

Let's Use the Same Language Prohibition Decriminalization Legalization Harm reduction Psychosis

Why Legalize? An illegal drug since 1923

Why Legalize? An illegal drug since 1923 Drug most consumed by First Nations

Why Legalize? An illegal drug since 1923 Drug most consumed by FN Drug most consumed by our youth

Why Legalize? Criminals made $6.2 billion in 2015 alone 13% of people in custody are there for drug offences 67% of drug offences are for cannabis

Attitude to Take Dramatizing Trivializing Optimal Attitude Loss of credibility Encourages protest Very ineffective Loss of credibility Encourages use Counterproductive

Harm Reduction Start with small doses and increase slowly Choose location and moment Choose less harmful products Choose safer consumption methods Smoke safely Reduce how much is consumed and how often Don's use synthetic cannabis products Don't mix with tobacco or alcohol Don't drive after smoking

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Cannabis causes psychoses About 6.4% of users will develop a schizophrenic disorder. The odds of developing such a disorder depend on age, dosage, health status, social environment and family background. Source: Johns A., Psychiatric Effects of Cannabis. Br J Psychiatry 2001; 178: 116–22.

Cannabis causes dependency About 1 in 11 people who use cannabis will develop a dependency. This risk rises to 1 in 6 when use begins in adolescence. But…

Cannabis use leads to hard drug use According to the Report of the Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs, the theory of escalating drug use is unconfirmed. Very few people use cannabis as a gateway to other, harder drugs. In fact, when cannabis is illegal, drug sellers are the ones who offer other drugs to users.

Cannabis is stronger than it was Source: ElSohly, 2016, Changes in Cannabis Potency Over the Last Two Decades (1995–2014): Analysis of Current Data in the United States, Biological Psychiatry Journal

Legalization will increase the number of users National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 2017

Law of Effect Substance EFFECT Individual Context

The Product

Active Ingredients

Active Ingredients

Why Do Our Young People Smoke? To have fun and to relax (same as alcohol) To experiment or because they're curious To reduce anxiety and stress To belong to a group To improve performance (feeling)

Recognizing Intoxication Red or glassy eyes Longer reaction time Impaired coordination/balance Lethargy or hyperactivity Limited short-term memory Increased heart rate Dilated pupils Confusion Laughter Dry mouth Euphoria Appetite ?

Effects of Chronic Consumption Reversible if use starts after age 18 Decline in attention, working memory, executive functions and learning processes Amotivational syndrome