Cannabis regulation and control (Motion #54-15)
Public health approach to cannabis legalization
Moved by Bradley, Thain. Approved by the Sudbury & District Board of Health, November 19, 2015.
WHEREAS the election platform of Canada’s recently elected federal government includes the intention to legalize, regulate, and restrict access to marijuana; and
WHEREAS within the current criminalization context, cannabis is widely used in the SDHU catchment area: 23.5% of youth used in the previous 12 months, 52.3% of people aged ≥19 have tried cannabis and 13% currently use cannabis; and
WHEREAS the health risks of cannabis use are significantly lower than tobacco or alcohol but are increased in those who use it frequently, begin at an early age and/or who have higher risk of cannabis-related problems (i.e. certain psychiatric conditions, cardiovascular disease, pregnancy); and
WHEREAS a public health approach focused on high‐risk users and practices – similar to the approach favoured with alcohol and tobacco that includes strategies such as controlled availability, age limits, low risk use guidelines, pricing, advertising restrictions, and general and targeted prevention initiatives – allows for more control over the risk factors associated with cannabis‐related health and societal harms; and
WHEREAS the Ontario Public Health Standards require boards of health to reduce the frequency, severity, and impact of preventable injury and of substance misuse;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Sudbury & District Board of Health support a public health approach to the forthcoming cannabis legalization framework, including strict health-focused regulations to reduce the health and societal harms associated with cannabis use; and
FURTHER THAT this resolution be shared with the Honourable Prime Minister of Canada, local Members of Parliament, the Premier of Ontario, local Members of Provincial Parliament, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Federal Minister of Health, the Attorney General, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Association of Local Public Health Agencies, Ontario Boards of Health, Ontario Public Health Association, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and local community partners.
This item was last modified on November 26, 2015