ItB次元官网网址檚 no surprise that as the Oct. 17 legalization of cannabis inches closer and closer, some parents have already attempted to navigate through approaching the issue of pot with their children.

Meanwhile, others may be at a loss with how to even start the conversation B次元官网网址� let alone what to say.

Black Press Media spoke with Emily Jenkins from UBCB次元官网网址檚 School of Nursing, who was able to share a few tips that could come in handy when it comes to having the talk.

First make sure you, the parent, have done your homework

Over the decades there have been plenty of myths circulated around cannabis, and one of the worst things to do would be to perpetuate any misconceptions.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 important for parents to educate themselves,B次元官网网址� Jenkins said. B次元官网网址淚 know thereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of misinformation about cannabis out there right now, so finding sources that are reputable and evidence based can be key.B次元官网网址�

Jenkins suggested two resources: A created by the Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy, and the federal governmentB次元官网网址檚 , which helps parents start the conversation with their kids.

Health officials, including the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, recommend sharing a harm reduction-related message. That means messaging isnB次元官网网址檛 about not smoking pot, but instead about some of the risks and keeping a healthy relationship with cannabis.

Not driving stoned B次元官网网址� or getting in the car with someone that is high, how cannabis can impact mental health and wellness and the risks of smoking pot too young or too often are all worth talking about, Jenkins said.

Ahead of starting conversation, Jenkins suggested that parents should set goals for what they want to achieve through the discussion and look to hear what their kid already might know.

B次元官网网址淏e curious,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e doing their own exploring on the internet, too.B次元官网网址�

Include younger children in the conversation

Deciding what age is appropriate to start talking pot is a tricky decision to make, but Jenkins said not starting the conversation soon enough can leave some children trying to sort out the facts on their own.

B次元官网网址淪tart early, and donB次元官网网址檛 wait for that conversation to the point where theyB次元官网网址檙e exposed to it in their peer group,B次元官网网址� she said.

Although parents need to tailor what to say and when to say it to their own unique child, Jenkins encouraged discussion to begin as early as elementary school.

B次元官网网址淲e know that cannabis use can start as early as elementary school, so equipping them to navigate that decision-making in a way that builds on what we know and potential harms is really important,B次元官网网址� she said.

Even if you arenB次元官网网址檛 planning to dive into cannabis, it canB次元官网网址檛 be ignored

Some parents will pay no mind to Canada welcoming cannabis Oct. 17, but Jenkins said itB次元官网网址檚 best to be very cautious of the mind set that B次元官网网址渘one of my kids are going to do it.B次元官网网址�

According to , roughly 23 per cent of kids ages 15 to 17 smoke pot.

B次元官网网址淒onB次元官网网址檛 be afraid that by having a conversation about cannabis is somehow going to be condoning or encouraging it,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淩ecognize that young people are living in a context that use is widespread, so the earlier we can start talking about cannabis and potential harms, the better outcome we can see.B次元官网网址�

Jenkins said youth having a place to go for open dialogue with their family is one of the key ways to reduce harm.

B次元官网网址淭hey need to feel they can go to trusted people to talk about their decision making around cannabis.B次元官网网址�

If you are planning to smoke up, still talk about the risks

Most resources out there are targeted to parents who donB次元官网网址檛 use cannabis, so what should those who plan to take part tell their kids?

B次元官网网址淚 think it comes down to what kind of messages are going to be appropriate for the familyB次元官网网址檚 context,B次元官网网址� Jenkins said, adding that the point of conversation is to keep kids safe.

This includes still looking to by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research which shares the 10 most notable effects it has on your health.

Make it an ongoing discussion

As Canadians of all ages navigate through how they plan to participate B次元官网网址� or not B次元官网网址� in legal recreation cannabis, the best things parents can do is keep the conversation going, Jenkins said.

B次元官网网址淒onB次元官网网址檛 make it a one-off,B次元官网网址� she explained. B次元官网网址淐reate context that thereB次元官网网址檚 always a safe space for them to come to talk to you about cannabis use.B次元官网网址�

ashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.ca
Like us on and follow us on .