Doctors want legal age for pot set at 21
The Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA) is hoping the provincial government will consider the effects of marijuana on brain development when deciding on the legal age for purchase.
Though the provincial government has announced recreational marijuana will be sold through private retailers and regulated by the SLGA, they say they are waiting to decide the legal age until the new cabinet and premier are in place.
The majority of provinces are restricting the purchase of marijuana to those 19 and older, SMA president Dr. Joanne Sivertson says limiting access to people 21 and over would make Saskatchewan a leader in protecting the brain development of young adults.
“There is good evidence that marijuana can negatively affect the developing brains which develop until your mid-20s,” Siverston explained. “So delaying the start of use of marijuana is only going to be better for the youth.”
Sivertson said many doctors would prefer not to see people younger than 25 using marijuana, but the SMA is compromising on a lower age due to the safety risk of uncontrolled products sold on the black market.
She stated that early use can lead to a higher risk of dependency as well as a higher risk of developing mental health issues — especially depression.
The Canadian Medical Association has also linked marijuana use to problems in the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems and cognitive impairment. They also note an increased risk for chronic psychosis disorders like schizophrenia when the user already has a family history of the condition.
“We expect there will need to be an increase in resources dedicated to mental health and addictions with the legalization of marijuana,” Siverston said. “Hopefully, some of the money from the sales could be devoted to that kind of support for our population.”
Sivertson noted she would also like to see some of this revenue funnelled toward education — especially in high schools and universities — as well as into research on the health effects that recreational marijuana has on the public once it becomes legal.