[Marlenys]

I believe the challenges of lack of shelter, youth run away from their parents and human traffic have have being contributing to increase the consume of different and more dangerous drugs by youth in GTA, and the government instead to help to rehabilitate the youth offer more avenues to continue with the use of drugs.

[Kathe]

Last Monday marked the fourth anniversary of cannabis legalization in Canada. The federal government has announced a legislative review of the Cannabis Act, to be led by an Expert Panel chaired by Morris Rosenberg. The review will “focus particularly on the health and cannabis consumption habits of young persons, the impact of cannabis on Indigenous persons and communities, and the impact of the cultivation of cannabis plants in a housing context.”

What do you think the challenges facing youth have been since the legalization of cannabis?

Learn more about the history of cannabis in Canada and the journey to legalization through our interactive timeline.

[Shadeen]

Debra, I agree with your comment one hundred percent. Even though cannabis is legal black youth, who use cannabis face stigmatization within society.

[Debra]

Even though personal use of cannabis is legal in Canada there is still significant stigma around it as a ‘gateway’ drug to other illegal substances. The media image of the dealer has a Black face, yet the commercialization and profit does not. Black youth who legally use cannabis are more subject to that stigma of being lazy, unfocussed and irresponsible. While boutique cannabis shops in high socioeconomic regions of the GTA with White patrons are not seen as a detriment to the community.

[Colleen]

I’m curious – it’s been a few years since this comment, and I wonder if there is any change in the experience of the brick and mortar cannabis shops. Have they continued to integrate into the community fabric? Do they persist with stigma? Have they contributed in any way to their communities?

[Uzo]

Your comments are 💯true, Debra! Despite the legalization of cannabis that has made corporations a lot of profit, the stigma that Black youth experience using continues. This stigmatization interweaves with anti-Black racism.

[Kathe]

In thinking about the challenges that come with the legalization of cannabis, we can also consider the legacy of criminalization.

ICYMI, YouthREX partnered with our friends at Exploring the Link and Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy on an Ask The Expert event that featured young people discussing how racism has impacted, and is continuing to impact, cannabis policy and use (including @chantalphillips!).

Check it out on our Knowledge Hub!

[Katarina]

Such an important discussion! 👏

[Jae Woong]

From Katarina’s information, this reminds me of the past 3 years ago when Canada started to legalize cannabis usage. As an international student who is from South Korea where cannabis usage is banned to use except for medical usage, I have not had cannabis.

I received information from my South Korean government saying people living in Canada should not do cannabis and there is the possibility to get charged if they find it out of using cannabis. I was scared to get closed for cannabis. However, I was always interested in the rules and potential health effects of cannabis usage.

Therefore, I wrote one paper that is related to cannabis usage and possible health outcomes. While I was on cannabis rules, I found that the rules are very similar to how people should use alcohol. However, I have seen people are not much following the rules Katarina has mentioned. I think this is happening because the media only highlights that cannabis usage is legal and okay to use in Canada!

I found many of my Canadian friends feel more comfortable using cannabis than alcohol.

I know that cannabis has positive effects on pain relief and has good potential for medical usage. I also found cannabis is controlled by the government. However, I found there is more need to include information and rules about cannabis usage.

[Katarina]

Thank you for sharing, Jae! I agree, it is so important to be critical of the information we consume, especially now that a number of different actors have a vested interest in promoting cannabis use. Young people should be aware of the risks and benefits of cannabis use, so that they are able to make their own (informed!) decisions.

[Katarina]

One of the things that stood out to me is that it is illegal to have ‘open’ cannabis in a vehicle (i.e., the same logic as ‘open container’ liquor laws). If you’re transporting cannabis and it’s not in the trunk, it must be sealed AND in its original packaging. I found this especially interesting considering dried cannabis cannot be readily consumed… I’m curious how many people (not just youth) are aware of this particular law.

[Kathe]

I think this factsheet we developed as part of our collection on Cannabis Use is really helpful because it outlines what youth and youth workers need to know about cannabis legalization, including the law that you point out, @katarina : 8 Things to Know About Cannabis Legalization and Youth in Ontario

[Katarina]

Thank you, Kathe! 👏 For anyone who is interested in sharing info from this factsheet, check out the Insta-friendly images I shared by clicking on the Photos or Albums tabs!

[Kathe]

These are great! 😃