Though many mistakenly consider marijuana harmless, the Partnership for a Drug Free Canada has for years presented reputable scientific studies showing the dangers and the social and economic costs of this drug. Yet, despite health experts’ endorsement of these studies, social pressure is driving the political agenda toward legalizing this dangerous drug. Political forces on the left have coalesced around this goal, claiming that legalization and regulation would afford better controls than enforcing prohibition.
But who is right? Are concerns about cannabis unfounded? Surely, many will assume, if cannabis use is so widespread, it must not be very harmful to society. After all, Canadian youth have the highest rate of marijuana use of any country in the developed world, according to the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (ibid.).
Some enthusiasts advocate the use of marijuana for “medical” purposes, though most medical experts are sceptical. Notice this 2014 statement from the Canadian Medical Association:
“The CMA still believes there is insufficient scientific evidence available to support the use of marijuana for clinical purposes. It also believes there is insufficient evidence on clinical risks and benefits, including the proper dosage of marijuana to be used and on the potential interactions between this drug and other medications” (“New ‘Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations’: What Do Doctors Need to Know?”).
In a letter explaining the group’s position to Canada’s Minister of Health, the CMA similarly stated that there “remains scant evidence regarding the effectiveness of the herbal form of marijuana” (“Letter to Minister Aglukkaq,” February 28, 2013).
Earlier this year, the Edmonton Journal reported on research from the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse: “Teens who start smoking marijuana early and do so frequently risk lowering their IQ scores….” The article goes on to state that: “‘The growing body of evidence about the effects of cannabis use during adolescence is reason for concern,’ said Amy Porath-Waller, the CCSA’s lead researcher on the issue. ‘I think we should be very concerned.… There is a need to take a pause and consider that this is the future of our country. We certainly want to prepare our youth so they can be productive members of society in terms of employment so there certainly is reason that Canada needs to be concerned about cannabis use among young people.’ Equally concerning, she said, is the perception among many Canadian youth that cannabis is benign and has no effect on their ability to drive or their performance in school” (“Teen pot use can lower IQ: study,” April 15, 2015).