Some teens say their likelihood of using weed hasn91裸聊视频檛 changed since the Liberal government announced details of its legalization plan 91裸聊视频� though they say it91裸聊视频檚 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 doesn91裸聊视频檛 expect that to change 91裸聊视频� even smoking pot feels less rebellious than it once did.
He said that in school, he was taught that marijuana was dangerous.
91裸聊视频淭hey kind of classified it with a lot harder drugs like LSD or cocaine, you know? So there was always that kind of 91裸聊视频榲illain-y91裸聊视频� look at it. It being really bad for you,91裸聊视频� 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 he91裸聊视频檚 in favour of legislation that restricts minors from smoking.
91裸聊视频淚 guess it91裸聊视频檚 also kind of hypocritical of me,91裸聊视频� 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 hasn91裸聊视频檛 changed her thoughts about pot either 91裸聊视频� 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 doesn91裸聊视频檛 sit right with her. She91裸聊视频檚 worried about the negative health effects, especially on young people91裸聊视频檚 brains.
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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 hasn91裸聊视频檛 changed in light of the legalization promise, and it91裸聊视频檚 not likely to make a difference in opinion 91裸聊视频� or frequency of use 91裸聊视频� among his peers.
91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 see how legalizing weed will make much of a difference in terms of limiting access to those under the legal age, since it91裸聊视频檚 already so widely available to kids as young as Grade 8 or 9,91裸聊视频� he said.
During the legislation announcement Thursday, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale noted that Canadian teenagers are 91裸聊视频渁mong the heaviest users in the western world.91裸聊视频�
The Canadian Tobacco Alcohol and Drugs survey in 2015 91裸聊视频� the most recently available data from Statistics Canada 91裸聊视频� 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.
91裸聊视频淛ust like alcohol and cigarettes are legal and considered mainstream, weed will still be considered a 91裸聊视频榗ool91裸聊视频� thing to do,91裸聊视频� he said.
Nicole Thompson, The Canadian Press
