School officials warn of risks for students who use cannabis products

Marijuana is a fragile thing for students to be playing with, says Kaylin Comeau-Leil, Schools plus facilitator for Chignecto Central Regional School Board.

“We don’t see the long-term impacts, we can’t see mental health issues rise and that type of thing so that’s what I worry about,” she said. “For those individuals if there is a history of mental health in their family it can literally – I know it is sometimes used as a scare tactic – but one-time pot use can trigger a whole unfolding of issues.”

With legalization of marijuana on Oct. 17 school officials said they were not anticipating a dramatic change in marijuana usage at schools but warn about the dangers for those who choose to.

Comeau-leil says that when marijuana is openly used it becomes

“We don’t see the long-term impacts, we can’t see mental health issues rise and that type of thing so that’s what I worry about … For those individuals if there is a history of mental health in their family it can literally – I know it is sometimes used as a scare tactic – but one-time pot use can trigger a whole unfolding of issues.” Kaylin Comeau-Leil, CCRSB

a social norm, and with the age being 19 instead of the recommended 25 by health officials it makes it seem like its ok just like drinking alcohol. Comeau-leil says her fear is the age usage between the 19 and 25 age time frames because she thinks when the government sets a standard they should set a standard that they feel is the healthiest. She fears that 19 year olds will begin usage just because they are 19. Comeau-leil says she thinks that’s going to be a very important age right there for them to get the proper messaging. “You probably shouldn’t use it until you are 25 or older and I think that is a very important thing.”

Debbie Lochead, NNEC school guidance counselor, says she doesn’t believe that use will increase at schools

“Maybe it will be more prevalent at things like parties on the weekend, but I don’t know if we are going to see the effects here as much,” she said. “The kids that smoke a joint before they come to school are still going to smoke a joint before they come to school every day.”

One concern that Lochead has is that some students don’t seem to be concerned about the risks of drug use.

“They think they are invincible so they are not fearful of putting anything in their bodies so they don’t stop and think about whether it is laced with something or who are they getting it from or what’s in it.”

Dylan Nyles, A student at NNEC thinks that more people are going to use it but there is going to be a lot less demand for it.

“It will definitely be thought about as more recreational and will be in more schools and places that it shouldn’t be for sure.”

On the other hand, he believes that restrictions may entice students to try it.

“The more it’s not allowed people will do it just to be stubborn.”