HEALTH UNIT LAUNCHES MARIJUANA AWARENESS PLAN
“Depending on who consumes it and how, cannabis can have negative effects on an individual’s health in the short and long terms.”
Smoking marijuana is now legal In Canada as of October 17 and the regional health unit has launched a new public awareness campaign about marijuana and Its risks. The Eastern Ontario Heath Unit (EOHU) created a special Cannabis Q&A section on its website at www.eohu.ca/cannabis. which provides easy-to-understand information on cannabis. also knovm as marijuana. 'We're launching Ihiscarnceign to remind the public that while cannabis will won be legal. its consumption still presents heatlh ries." stated Dr. Paul Roumellotis. EOHU medical health officer. In a press re-lease. `Depending on who consumes lt and how. cannabis can have negative effects on an individuals health in the short and long terms. We know that youth and young adults are at the highest tisk of negative health impacts from cannabis use. It's therefore the rote of public health to make sure individuals make Informed decisions when It cornes to cannabis use" The website addition Includes Information on Canadien laws dealing with marijuana, Including the new legalization of the substance in the country, and details on the effects of marijuana on a person's general health and on their ability to function while "high'. The EOHU also created a video sertes. 'Legal doesn't mean harmless' concerning myths and misunderstandings about maquana use. A serres of public service ads from the health unit will also be avallable on local radio. on-screen at Cornwall's Galaxy Theatre. and through social media. The EOHU. in partnership with community groups, has also heid a sertes of public information and discussion forums for parents. youth. and other interested persons, prior to Me October 17 legalization date for marijuana use in Canada. Part of the foc us of Me forums was to explain how smoking marijuana, like drinking alcohol, can affect a person's ability to drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other tasks that could result in accidents.
Driving while on marijuana now is subject to the same penalties as drIving while impaired by alcohol. Also anyone who is 21 or younger. A novice driver or a commercial truck driver is not alloved to drive Mile having traces of marijuana in their system. As of October 17, individual purchase and possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use is now legal. The provincial government is revising Ontaries public smoking regulations to include marijuana. The Ontario govemment has an onlIne ordering and supply system set up for pur-chase of up to 30 grams of non-rnedicinal marijuana through the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) webslte. Indlviduals w lI also be able to grow a maximum of four maquana plants at home for rersonal use. Federal and provincial regulations state that the Omit is four plants per household, not per person in the household.