Context
Following direction from the federal government and introduction of the federal Cannabis Act, the Government of Ontario led a province-wide consultation on the legalization of cannabis in the summer of 2017. In December 2017, Ontario passed the Cannabis, Smoke-Free Ontario, and Road Safety Law Amendment Act. Cannabis is now legal across the country (as of October 17 2018).
In the news and media
Information on cannabis and cannabis use
- Clearing the Smoke on Cannabis seriesThis series of reports from the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction objectively looks at how marijuana use affects human functioning and development, and discusses implications for policy and practice
- Substance abuse: MarijuanaQuick lesson from the Social Work Reference Center (note: you have to be authenticated by OACAS’s library databases to access)
Cannabis, pregnancy, and parenting
- Risks of cannabis on fertility, pregnancy, breastfeeding and parenting [2017]Resource from Best Start summarizing the current knowledge about the effects of cannabis. It provides information about the effects of cannabis: on fertility, pregnancy and breastfeeding; on children and adolescents when their parents used cannabis during pregnancy; and on parenting
- Introduction to parent marijuana use [2016]PARTicle. Note: login required; must be a PART member to access
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and marijuana use [2016]PARTicle. Note: login required; must be a PART member to access
- Marijuana use during pregnancy and breastfeeding: Implications for neonatal and childhood outcomes [2018]This clinical report provides data on the current rates of marijuana use among pregnant and lactating women (in the U.S.) and discusses what is known about the effects of marijuana on fetal development and later neurodevelopmental and behavioral outcomes
- Trends and correlates of cannabis use in pregnancy: A population-based study in Ontario, Canada from 2012 to 2017 [2018]This study based on data from BORN, Ontario's pregnancy, birth and childhood registry, looks at trends in self-reported cannabis use during pregnancy
- Is using cannabis in front of children harmful or not? [2019]Review of research related to cannabis use and parenting, from an interdisciplinary research group at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
Cannabis exposure and use by children and youth
- Cannabis and Canada’s children and youth [2017]Position statement from the Canadian Paediatric Society
- Cannabis legalization & regulation - A jurisdictional review: Considerations for children & youthReport from Child Health BC looking at cannabis regulation in different jurisdictions and the position of key organizations on the issue of cannabis legalization. It also includes a section dedicated to interventions to reduce usage among youth
- Keep kids safe from marijuana at home [2018]Information on cannabis exposure from Berkeley Wellness
- Adolescent cannabis use: Impacts on cognitive functioning [2018]PARTicle. Note: login required; must be a PART member to access
- Adolescent cannabis use: Impacts on mental health [2018]PARTicle. Note: login required; must be a PART member to access
- Examining the relationship between childhood maltreatment and adolescent cannabis use [2018]PARTicle. Note: login required; must be a PART member to access
- Alone, stoned, and afraid: Risks and motives associated with cannabis use in youth who have experienced psychosis [2020]Recording of a webinar delivered by Dr. Amar Ghelani. Note: login required; must be a PART member to access
Cannabis and child welfare
- Parental substance use and the child welfare system [2014]Bulletin from the Child Welfare Information Gateway with information on the intersection of substance use disorders and child maltreatment. It also describes strategies for prevention, intervention, and treatment, including examples of effective programs and practices
- Marijuana and child abuse and neglect [2016]This health impact assessment report was prepared by the Colorado School of Public Health, in collaboration with Children’s Hospital Colorado and the Kempe Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect. It is intended to inform new state policies surrounding how cannabis use should be handled in child welfare decision-making
- Examining the relationship between marijuana use, medical marijuana dispensaries, and abusive and neglectful parentingArticle from the journal Child Abuse & Neglect
Working with parents and caregivers who use cannabis
- Lower risk cannabis use guidelines [2017]This resource provides access to a review of evidence conducted by an international team of experts; a summary brief intended for health professionals; a brochure intended for cannabis users; and an infographic of key recommendations for reducing cannabis-related risks for health harms
- Marijuana use and parenting: What you need to know [2018]Issue brief from the Barnstable County Department of Human Services in Massachusetts. Pages 6 to 7 provide recommendations and strategies for "Reducing the Impact of Adult Marijuana Use on Children"
Additional resources and links
- Cannabis and youth: A certificate for youth workersA self-guided online professional development certificate that provides youth workers with evidence-based information on the health, social and legal risks associated with cannabis use. From YouthREX
- Cannabis Stats HubCannabis statistics on consumption, offences, household spending, and more from Statistics Canada
- Americans for Safe Access: Child CustodyResource from Americans for Safe Access, a U.S. advocacy group for cannabis users. This page provides information and recommends practices for parents so they can be intentional and responsible about medical marijuana use and cultivation with regards to their children
- Family Law & Cannabis AllianceU.S. clearinghouse for local, state-based, and national information related to cannabis policy, child protective services, and family court