The Saskatchewan Medical Association is committed to providing information and resources to physicians as the legalization of recreational cannabis approaches. The federal government has set Oct. 17, 2018, as the date when cannabis can be purchased legally.
Many physicians have reservations about the new law and have been advocating that the proper addictions and public health supports be put in place prior to the official date of legalization. The Canadian Medical Association has been leading the lobbying of the federal government on the issue and is supplying physicians with information.
You can find CMA-related resources and other information at the links below, including guidelines. This page will be continually updated as more information become available.
Cannabis - Clinical Information/Resources for Physicians
Cannabis and the CMA
Canada's Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines
Canada's Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines Evidence Brief (for health professionals)
CMA video: Know the health risks of cannabis
Saskatchewan government webpage:
Cannabis in Saskatchewan: Information and education
Health Canada evidence briefs:
Does cannabis use increase the risk of developing psychosis or schizophrenia?
Is cannabis safe to use? Facts for young adults aged 18-25 years.
Is cannabis safe during preconception, pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Is cannabis safe to use? Facts for youth aged 13-17 years.
Resources
- Drug Free Kids Canada
- Government of Canada: Legalizing and strictly regulating cannabis
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health: Canada's Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health: Reducing health risks related to cannabis use
- Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction: Marijuana
- Clearing the Smoke on Cannabis - Maternal Cannabis Use during Pregnancy
- Québec Association of Psychiatrists: Comprendre les dangers du cannabis (French only)
Media
CTV: Mental health expert warns of 'significant increase' in cannabis-induced psychosis
https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/mental-health-expert-warns-of-significant-increase-in-cannabis-induced-psychosis-1.4233512
Postmedia: More cannabis education needed for both doctors, medical students
https://www.thegrowthop.com/cannabis-health/cannabis-medical/more-cannabis-education-needed-for-both-doctors-medical-students
Postmedia: The challenges of dosing medical cannabis
https://www.thegrowthop.com/cannabis-health/cannabis-medical/the-challenges-of-dosing-medical-cannabis
CBC audio: Legal weed – a doctor’s perspective
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1346287171588
CBC: Canada’s giant public health ‘experiment’ with legalized cannabis begins
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/cannabis-canada-giant-public-health-experiment-1.4865606
CBC: Cannabis is legal in Canada – here’s what you need to know
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/marijuana-faq-legalization-need-to-know-1.4862207
Globe and Mail op-ed: Cannabis use and pyschosis: Young people need to know their risks
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-cannabis-use-and-psychosis-young-people-need-to-know-their-risks/
Washington Post op-ed: Without proper health precautions, Canada’s pot legalization could go up in smoke
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2018/10/16/without-proper-health-precautions-canadas-pot-legalization-could-go-up-in-smoke/?utm_term=.024ab2465d30
CMJ op-ed: Watching Canada’s experiment with legal cannabis
http://www.cmaj.ca/content/190/41/E1218
CBC: Where you can (and mostly can’t) use legal cannabis in Saskatchewan
https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/longform/where-you-can-and-mostly-cant-use-legal-pot-in-saskatchewan
Globe and Mail Andre Picard column: Boomers, remember the real – and perceived – harms of cannabis use
Globe and Mail op-ed: With cannabis legalization looming, doctors foresee uptick in emergency room visits
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/cannabis/article-with-cannabis-legalization-looming-doctors-foresee-uptick-in/
Globe and Mail Andre Picard column: Edibles will be notably absent from cannabis offerings after legalization on Wednesday
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/cannabis/article-edibles-will-be-notably-absent-from-cannabis-offerings-after/
Globe and Mail: Access to medical cannabis regulation will remain in place at least five more years: Health Canada
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/cannabis/article-access-to-medical-cannabis-regulation-will-remain-in-place-at-least/
Globe and Mail: What Canada’s doctors are concerned about with marijuana legalization
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/cannabis/article-what-canadas-doctors-are-concerned-about-with-marijuana-legalization-2/
CBC: Medical guidelines in the works to clear up confusion about cannabis for seniors
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/seniors-pot-national-recommendations-1.4847929
Radio Canada: Cannabis effects may differ for seniors, doctor urges caution
http://www.rcinet.ca/en/2018/10/02/marijuana-older-canadians-risk/
Globe and Mail archives: Cannabis and cancer care: What the science says
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/cannabis/article-cannabis-and-cancer-care-what-the-science-says/
Kitchener-Waterloo Record: Doctors equipped to respond to medical and recreational marijuana questions
https://www.therecord.com/news-story/8928263-doctors-equipped-to-respond-to-medical-and-recreational-marijuana-questions/
CBC: Why companies are eyeing the cannabis compound that doesn’t get you high
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/cannabis-compound-cbd-1.4840772
Postmedia; Canadian Medical Association president calls pot legalization ‘uncharted territory’
https://www.thegrowthop.com/cannabis/cannabis-news/canadian-medical-association-president-calls-pot-legalization-uncharted-territory/wcm/98c71a99-ecba-41dd-96cf-321fd9caa1bb
Postmedia: Addiction, health-care specialists need to brace for cannabis legalization: CAMH
https://www.thegrowthop.com/cannabis/cannabis-culture/addiction-healthcare-specialists-need-to-brace-for-cannabis-legalization-camh/wcm/fcc71dee-dbe3-4efa-8074-6a4fe8c27e31
CTV: Healing or harmful? Top doctors weigh in on cannabis health claims
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/healing-or-harmful-top-doctors-weigh-in-on-cannabis-health-claims-1.4102960
Resources
