Panel warning of pot’s effects begins tour

HALIFAX — As the federal government ponders how to carry out a promise to legalize marijuana, the arms-length agency that studies addiction is embarking on a four-city tour to spread warnings about the effects of the drug on young people.

The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse opens the tour in Halifax today with a panel of three experts who contributed to a report released in June that addressed the issue of cannabis use in adolescence.

Dr. Amy Porath-Waller, the centre’s director of research and policy, characterizes the timing of the sessions as a bit of “serendipity,” given the Liberal government’s December throne speech in which it pledged to “legalize, regulate and restrict access to marijuana.”

“It’s great timing as the discussions are ongoing because we know the focus has been keeping cannabis out of the hands of young people,” said Porath-Waller.

She said the aim of the tour is to start a conversation on how to protect those younger than 25, regardless of which direction the government decides to take with the drug.

Porath-Waller said research indicates the risks are greater for younger people who use marijuana because their brains are still in development.

“We know that it impairs cognitive functioning and there are areas of the brain that are involved in thinking, paying attention, memory and decision-making that are impacted by the use of this drug,” she said.

And while there are gaps in the research, Porath-Waller said there is evidence of emerging trends such as the risk of addiction.

Future panel discussions are scheduled for Feb 3 in Toronto, Feb. 12 in Vancouver and Feb. 22 in Ottawa.