Post-Legalization: What’s Really Happening with Youth Cannabis Use? скачать в хорошем качестве

Post-Legalization: What’s Really Happening with Youth Cannabis Use?

How has cannabis legalization impacted Canadian youth? In this keynote, Dr. Scott Leatherdale, University Research Chair in Public Health at the University of Waterloo, shares critical findings from the COMPASS study — one of the largest longitudinal studies of youth in Canada. His research tracks over 75,000 students to understand how policy changes, like cannabis legalization, influence youth behavior, mental health, and substance use. Dr. Leatherdale reveals a surprising trend: contrary to fears of increased cannabis use post-legalization, youth cannabis use has actually declined over time. However, the data also shows a sharp rise in vaping cannabis, increased solitary use, and a shift in risk factors — with mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety now playing a more significant role in cannabis use patterns, especially among adolescent females. This presentation dives deep into how legalization, COVID-19, and changes in the retail environment intersect to shape youth behaviors. Dr. Leatherdale discusses why prevention strategies must now address not only cannabis but also co-occurring risks like vaping, alcohol use, and mental health struggles. Whether you're a policymaker, educator, researcher, or parent, this talk provides essential insights into how we can better support youth in this new era. Dr. Scott Leatherdale, University of Waterloo, presents 'Understanding the impact of cannabis legalization on adolescents using the COMPASS system' at the 2023 Innovations in the Science of Cannabis Conference. --- The Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research is a multidisciplinary leader in medicinal cannabis research. The Centre is led by the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine Initiative for Innovation in Healthcare at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. This initiative leverages McMaster University’s world-renowned expertise in health research and evidence-based medicine to create a hub for evidence-based data and innovative research. https://cannabisresearch.mcmaster.ca/