Item - 2016.HL12.2
Tracking Status
- This item was considered by Board of Health on May 30, 2016 and was adopted with amendments.
HL12.2 - Legalization and Regulation of Non-Medical Cannabis
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Board Decision
The Board of Health:
1. Urged the federal Minister of Health to use an evidence-based public health approach to develop a regulatory framework for non-medical cannabis with a goal of reducing potential harms for the population as a whole.
2. Urged the federal Minister of Health to earmark funding for research related to the full range of potential health impacts of non-medical cannabis use, including for occasional and moderate consumption.
3. Urged the federal Minister of Health to earmark some of the savings and tax revenue generated from the legalization of cannabis toward low income communities particularly those affected by the unintended consequences of legalization.
4. Urged Health Canada to work with relevant stakeholders to develop and fund a comprehensive monitoring system for cannabis, including the collection of baseline data, prior to implementation of a regulatory system.
5. Urged the Government of Canada to provide immediate interim guidance on how municipalities should approach the possession and sale of non-medical cannabis, using a public health approach, prior to the forthcoming legalization and regulation in 2017.
6. Requested The Medical Officer of Health to begin an educational campaign on the risks and benefits of use of non-medical cannabis.
7. Forwarded the report (May 13, 2016) from the Medical Officer of Health to the federal Minister of Health, MP Bill Blair and other Toronto area Members of Parliament, the Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, the Ontario Minister of Finance, the Ontario Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, the provincial and federal Ministries of Transportation, the Council of Ontario Medical Officers of Health, the Urban Public Health Network, the Association of Local Public Health Agencies, and the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, for information.
Origin
Summary
The Government of Canada has committed to legalizing and regulating the non-medical use of cannabis, with legislation to be introduced by spring 2017. This report responds to a 2015 Board of Health (BOH) request to report on the issue of cannabis legalization and regulation. The report will focus on public health considerations related to non-medical cannabis use. A regulatory system is already in place for use of medical cannabis, discussion of which is beyond the scope of this report.
Cannabis has been cultivated for centuries for industrial and therapeutic use as well as for its psychoactive properties. Alcohol is the most commonly used legal drug among both youth and adults, and cannabis is the most commonly used illegal drug. As with other psychoactive drugs, the use of cannabis is not benign. Research has found both benefits and harms associated with cannabis use. Cannabis has therapeutic qualities and many people consume it for its psychoactive effects. The potential for harm exists particularly for people who consume it frequently or begin use in adolescence. Most of the research to date has focused on frequent, chronic use and more evidence is needed about the impact of occasional and moderate use as this comprises the majority of non-medical cannabis use in our society.
Globally, there is growing debate about the efficacy of criminalizing drugs such as cannabis, in particular that the harms now outweigh any intended benefits. Several jurisdictions, including Uruguay and several U.S. states, have legalized non-medical cannabis. There are lessons to be learned from these experiences as well as from the successes and failures of regulatory systems for alcohol and tobacco. Many health organizations have advocated for a public health approach to legalization and regulation in Canada, informed by this evidence. Establishing a clear goal will be key to the cannabis regulatory framework for Canada. From a public health perspective the goal should be on reducing potential harms for the population as a whole.
Canada will be only the second country in the world to legalize non-medical cannabis, and will therefore be an example to other countries considering similar action. Designing a regulatory approach for non-medical cannabis is complicated. It is worth taking the time to get the framework right to ensure a comprehensive, evidence-based regulatory system is in place from the start.
Toronto Public Health (TPH) will continue to monitor this issue with respect to public health impacts and considerations, and report to the BOH, as required.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-93042.pdf
Communications
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/hl/comm/communicationfile-61052.pdf
(May 27, 2016) Submission from Kevin Hall, Chief Executive Officer, Chronic Pain Toronto (HL.New.HL12.2.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/hl/comm/communicationfile-61077.pdf
(May 30, 2016) Submission from Jenna Valleriani and Viresh Fernando (HL.New.HL12.2.3)
(May 30, 2016) Submission from Andrea Winzer (HL.New.HL12.2.4)
Speakers
Viresh Fernando, Lawyer
David George Oldman, Chronic Pain Toronto
Dennis Long, Executive Director, Breakaway Addiction Services
Derek Moran
Christopher Cardozo
Lisa Campbell, Cannabis Friendly Business Organization
Tania Lungo/ Brandy Zurborg, Queens of Cannabis
Kostantino Beltsis
Matias Marin
Adolfo Gonzalez
Motions
That the Board of Health urge the Government of Canada to provide immediate interim guidance on how municipalities should approach the possession and sale of non-medical cannabis, using a public health approach, prior to the forthcoming legalization and regulation in 2017.
Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) May-30-2016
| Result: Carried | Majority Required |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 8 | Members that voted Yes are Stacey Berry, Christin Carmichael Greb, Joe Cressy, Sarah Doucette, Chris Glover, Joe Mihevc (Chair), Frances Nunziata, Peter Wong |
| Total members that voted No: 0 | Members that voted No are |
| Total members that were Absent: 5 | Members that were absent are Ashna Bowry, Jon Burnside, Angela Jonsson, Elisa Levi, Paul Nagpal |
That Recommendation 4 of the report be amended by also forwarding the report to the Provincial and Federal Ministries of Transportation.
That the Medical Officer of Health be requested to begin an educational campaign on the risks and benefits of use of non-medical cannabis.
That the Board of Health urge the federal Minister of Health to earmark some of the savings and tax revenue generated from the legalization of cannabis toward low income communities particularly those affected by the unintended consequences of legalization.
Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) May-30-2016
| Result: Carried | Majority Required |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 8 | Members that voted Yes are Stacey Berry, Christin Carmichael Greb, Joe Cressy, Sarah Doucette, Chris Glover, Joe Mihevc (Chair), Frances Nunziata, Peter Wong |
| Total members that voted No: 0 | Members that voted No are |
| Total members that were Absent: 5 | Members that were absent are Ashna Bowry, Jon Burnside, Angela Jonsson, Elisa Levi, Paul Nagpal |
2a - Interim Guidance for Municipalities on Non-medical Cannabis
Origin
Summary
The Council-approved Toronto Drug Strategy (TDS) provides a comprehensive approach to alcohol and other drug issues based on the integrated components of prevention, harm reduction, treatment and enforcement. The TDS Implementation Panel is a multi-sectoral leadership group that provides oversight and strategic advice for implementation of this strategy.
At its May 26th, 2016 meeting, the Panel discussed the forthcoming legalization of non-medical cannabis, expected in 2017. In the interim period, clear guidance is needed for municipalities. We are concerned that in the interim period a situation akin to unregulated legalization has taken place in Toronto and across the country. This situation has not been driven by a clear and consistent public health approach, and there are impacts for individuals, families and communities.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-93729.pdf