Getting to know cannabis

Island schools holding information sessions with legalization looming

Some Island schools will be holding upcoming parent information sessions around the subject of cannabis.

On Tuesday, Oct. 9, 6:30 p.m., there will be a parent information session on teens and cannabis.

This event has been organized by Bluefield, Colonel Gray and Charlottetown Rural principals and will be held at the Rural.

On Monday, Oct. 29, there will be a cannabis information session hosted by Three Oaks and the Parent Council at Three Oaks High School in Summerside. It begins at 6:30 p.m.

And, on Thursday, Nov. 22, student assemblies will be held at Westisle Composite, Hernewood Intermediate and ME Callaghan, as well as an adult session at Westisle that evening.

Charlottetown Police Services recently held a cannabis information session at Birchwood Intermediate School that drew about 150 parents, caregivers and educators.

Organized by Charlottetown’s intermediate schools, the evening featured three police department staff directly involved with young people — school liaison officer Const. Tim Keizer, drug recognition expert Const. Maliqi Fatdarth and mental health and addictions co-ordinator Carmina Gaite.

Parents received information on medical, legal and social and emotional impacts of marijuana use and now they can navigate legalization.

As of Oct. 17, cannabis use will be legal in Canada for people aged 19 and older.

“This is new for all of us,’’ said Ronnie Carragher, principal at Birchwood. “The more proactive we are, the more conversations we have, the more we can educate ourselves and our kids.’’