“Where Does the High Road Lead?” Potential Implications of Cannabis Legalization for Pediatric Injuries in Canada

“Where Does the High Road Lead?” Potential Implications of Cannabis Legalization for Pediatric Injuries in Canada Publisher Pubmed

Karbakhsh M^{1, 2} ; Smith J^{1, 3} ; Pike I^{1, 3, 4}

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1. BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit, BC Childrenâ€™s Hospital Research, F508 4480 Oak St, Vancouver, V6H 3V4, BC, Canada
2. Department of Community Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3. The Community Against Preventable Injuries, Vancouver, BC, Canada
4. Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Source: Canadian Journal of Public Health Published:2018

Abstract

The purpose of this commentary is to discuss how legalization of non-medical marijuana (LNMM) in Canada can potentially influence child and adolescent unintentional injuries based on evidence from states (American) and jurisdictions that have already legalized cannabis for recreational purposes. Although the evidence is still not conclusive, LNMM can bring about higher exposure, lower perceived harms, and higher prevalence of cannabis use by minors through role modeling and normalization of behaviour within the household and the community, and higher rates of driving under the influence of cannabis, which can contribute to a higher burden of road traffic injuries. Experience of American states with LNMM shows higher rates of emergency visits for pediatric poisoning due to unintentional ingestion of cannabis-containing foods and severe burns due to explosions during the course of home-based cannabis extraction. While the justification for legalization has created a strict legal framework for improved control of cannabis in Canada, the implications for health and safety of children and adolescents necessitate further study, communication with policy-makers and public health practitioners, and evidence-based education of parents, caregivers, and youth. © 2018, The Author(s).

Style	Citing Format
MLA	Karbakhsh M, Smith J, Pike I. "“Where Does the High Road Lead?” Potential Implications of Cannabis Legalization for Pediatric Injuries in Canada." Canadian Journal of Public Health, vol. 109, no. 5-6, 2018, pp. 752-755.
APA	Karbakhsh M, Smith J, Pike I (2018). “Where Does the High Road Lead?” Potential Implications of Cannabis Legalization for Pediatric Injuries in Canada. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 109(5-6), 752-755.
Chicago	Karbakhsh M, Smith J, Pike I. "“Where Does the High Road Lead?” Potential Implications of Cannabis Legalization for Pediatric Injuries in Canada." Canadian Journal of Public Health 109, no. 5-6 (2018): 752-755.
Harvard	Karbakhsh M, Smith J, Pike I (2018) '“Where Does the High Road Lead?” Potential Implications of Cannabis Legalization for Pediatric Injuries in Canada', Canadian Journal of Public Health, 109(5-6), pp. 752-755.
Vancouver	Karbakhsh M, Smith J, Pike I. “Where Does the High Road Lead?” Potential Implications of Cannabis Legalization for Pediatric Injuries in Canada. Canadian Journal of Public Health. 2018;109(5-6):752-755.
BibTex	@article{ author = {Karbakhsh M and Smith J and Pike I}, title = {“Where Does the High Road Lead?” Potential Implications of Cannabis Legalization for Pediatric Injuries in Canada}, journal = {Canadian Journal of Public Health}, volume = {109}, number = {5-6}, pages = {752-755}, year = {2018} }
RIS	TY - JOUR AU - Karbakhsh M AU - Smith J AU - Pike I TI - “Where Does the High Road Lead?” Potential Implications of Cannabis Legalization for Pediatric Injuries in Canada JO - Canadian Journal of Public Health VL - 109 IS - 5-6 SP - 752 EP - 755 PY - 2018 ER -

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