Some teens say their likelihood of using weed hasnB次元官网网址檛 changed since the Liberal government announced details of its legalization plan B次元官网网址� though they say itB次元官网网址檚 made them more aware of information on both sides of the debate.
Government officials announced Thursday that cannabis would be made legal for recreational use by July 2018, and those aged 18 and over will be able to buy and grow a small amount of the drug for themselves.
But even as marijuana becomes more mainstream, several teens said their opinions about the drug have remained the same.
Julio Gonzales, 19, said he enjoys using marijuana in moderation, and he doesnB次元官网网址檛 expect that to change B次元官网网址� even smoking pot feels less rebellious than it once did.
He said that in school, he was taught that marijuana was dangerous.
B次元官网网址淭hey kind of classified it with a lot harder drugs like LSD or cocaine, you know? So there was always that kind of B次元官网网址榲illain-yB次元官网网址� look at it. It being really bad for you,B次元官网网址� he said. He expects that the curriculum might change a bit, but he said he thinks teachers will still advise against teens using the drug.
He said he knows there have been studies that suggest marijuana use in teenagers can be harmful, so heB次元官网网址檚 in favour of legislation that restricts minors from smoking.
B次元官网网址淚 guess itB次元官网网址檚 also kind of hypocritical of me,B次元官网网址� he said, adding that he smokes because he finds that it helps him concentrate on schoolwork.
Ellie Labbancz, who will be 14 next month, said the news of legalization hasnB次元官网网址檛 changed her thoughts about pot either B次元官网网址� she is still staunchly against it.
She said she understands some of the positive arguments for access to marijuana, including that it could reduce drug trafficking and crime.
But overall, she said people could still abuse the drug, and that doesnB次元官网网址檛 sit right with her. SheB次元官网网址檚 worried about the negative health effects, especially on young peopleB次元官网网址檚 brains.
WATCH:
Canadian Psychiatric Association President Dr. Renuka Prasad said in a statement put out on Thursday that early and regular cannabis use can affect memory, attention, intelligence and the ability to process thoughts. He said it can also add to the risk of mental health issues among people who are already vulnerable.
The CPA position statement on marijuana cites studies that suggest marijuana can interfere with the maturing process the brain goes through in adolescence. It recommended an age limit of 21, as well as quantity and potency limits for those under 25.
Todd Goncalvez, 18, said his opinion hasnB次元官网网址檛 changed in light of the legalization promise, and itB次元官网网址檚 not likely to make a difference in opinion B次元官网网址� or frequency of use B次元官网网址� among his peers.
B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 see how legalizing weed will make much of a difference in terms of limiting access to those under the legal age, since itB次元官网网址檚 already so widely available to kids as young as Grade 8 or 9,B次元官网网址� he said.
During the legislation announcement Thursday, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale noted that Canadian teenagers are B次元官网网址渁mong the heaviest users in the western world.B次元官网网址�
The Canadian Tobacco Alcohol and Drugs survey in 2015 B次元官网网址� the most recently available data from Statistics Canada B次元官网网址� suggests that 20.6 per cent of Canadians between ages 15 and 19 had used pot in the past year. Nearly 29 per cent of people in that age group had tried it at some point in their life.
But in spite of the new legislation, Goncalvez said he thinks people are more likely to look at marijuana they way they look at cigarettes.
B次元官网网址淛ust like alcohol and cigarettes are legal and considered mainstream, weed will still be considered a B次元官网网址榗oolB次元官网网址� thing to do,B次元官网网址� he said.
Nicole Thompson, The Canadian Press
