See your doctor

Medical association urges people to talk about health concerns

KITCHENER — When recreational marijuana becomes legalized in Canada next month, doctors are hoping patients will talk to them first about the potential risks.

“We’re taking a harm-reduction approach,” said Dr. Nadia Alam, president of the Ontario Medical Association. “We want to be able to talk to our patients about this … We want them to realize we are a resource.”

Alam was in Kitchener on Wednesday talking with doctors and care providers as part of the president’s annual fall tour through the province.

Doctors have been advising patients on medicinal cannabis to manage symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting with chemotherapy.

“Recreational cannabis is not the same,” Alam said.

The medicinal version is rigorously studied and produced to get rid of any potential side effects and harmful substances, delivering only the helpful component in a pill or oil.

Recreational cannabis can be consumed in a variety of ways and the effects can vary.

“The checks and balances are not there,” Alam said. “Anybody can grow it. Anybody can sell it.”

A recent study commissioned by the association found almost half of Ontario residents do not believe or are unsure of the differences between medicinal and recreational cannabis.

“Recreational cannabis can be addictive,” Alam said.

For young people especially that’s a concern because the brain continues to develop until 25 and there’s evidence cannabis can affect that development.

Cannabis can trigger or heighten symptoms of anxiety and depression, and affect thinking. Smoking cannabis brings with it the hazards of smoking, including acute and chronic respiratory issues.

“I want people to understand that sometimes when they use recreational cannabis there can be health consequences,” Alam said.

She encourages people to talk to their doctor to make a safe and informed decision or, if they’re reluctant to do that, go to the association’s website for more information.

“Legalization we know will mean more people will use it.”

MATHEW MCCARTHY WATERLOO REGION RECORD Dr. Mike Stephenson of Sanctuary Refugee Health Centre welcomes Ontario Medical Association president Dr. Nadia Alam, who was touring the province and speaking about the health effects of marijuana.