Children at risk after Marijuana legalization
NEWS PROVIDED BY Pediatrician’s Alliance of Ontario Nov 17, 2017, 10:32 ET
Pediatricians: Ontario not ready
Call for Public Education, Study of Effects
TORONTO, Nov. 17, 2017 /CNW/ – Ontario’s Pediatricians warned today that the upcoming legalization of marijuana poses potentially serious health risks for children and adolescents–and the province is not ready to cope. The Pediatricians Alliance of Ontario (PAO) noted that when Colorado legalized recreational marijuana in 2014, a children’s hospital saw a fourfold increase in the number of teenagers coming to emergency rooms or urgent care centres with marijuana intoxication.
While the government of Ontario proposes a public education campaign for young adults, it is equally important to warn children and their parents of the risks of marijuana use, said PAO President Dr. Hirotaka Yamashiro.
“The public needs to understand that marijuana use has been proven to cause serious damage to the developing brains of children,” said Dr. Yamashiro. “Parents and caregivers should be taking precautions.”
The PAO is calling upon the Minister of Health to develop a targeted public education campaign on the effects of marijuana on children and also to commission studies to explore the impacts after legalization. As preeminent experts in children’s health, pediatricians are offering their assistance.
“I already regularly treat children with serious health problems because of marijuana use,” said Dr. Sharon Burey, a Windsor pediatrician and Vice President of PAO. “With legalization, many more kids may potentially be exposed in their homes.” For complete article Fighting For Children’s Brains!