Health groups support marijuana guidelines

OTTAWA — Six of the country’s leading health organizations endorse 10 new cannabis recommendations designed to help reduce the risks associated with Canadians using marijuana – which is set to become legal in a year.

The guidelines, published Friday in the American Journal of Public Health, include recommendations for people to avoid cannabis if they are pregnant or at risk of mental health problems, as well as delaying marijuana use until later in life and limiting consumption.

The guidelines also say driving under the influence of cannabis can substantially increase the risk of being involved in a motorvehicle crash resulting in injury or death, adding drivers should wait at least six hours to get behind the wheel following use.

The suggestions flow from work conducted by the Ontario arm of the Canadian Research Initiative on Substance Misuse – a national initiative funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

An extensive body of scientific data form the basis for the recommendations, Dr. Benedikt Fischer, a senior scientist for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health said Friday. He said the risk to users can be modified by choices, including how much and what people consume.

“One of the opportunities for us to improve public health related to cannabis use is by influencing and providing users with informed evidence on how to reduce risks,” Fischer said.

The guidelines, which Fischer said have been endorsed by his organization as well the Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Public Health Association, the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction and the Council of Chief Medical Officers, will now be distributed to governments, health authorities and public health agencies. Health Minister Jane Philpott said Friday she welcomes the guidelines.