Cannabis

Perinatal Psychoactive Substance Use Among Indigenous Women: Social Determinants

Because of its impact on the health of families and future generations, psychoactive substance use during the perinatal period is a public health concern for the entire population. Understanding the factors that influence psychoactive substance use among Indigenous women in the perinatal period is essential to targeting prevention and health and wellness promotion strategies for First Nations and Inuit people. This synthesis analyzes the factors that emerge from the scientific literature through the lens of social determinants of health.

  • Strong family ties, social support and connection to community, traditional values and culture emerged as protective factors against psychoactive substance use during the perinatal period for Indigenous women. These factors are associated with the social environment and cultural continuity, which are social determinants of Indigenous health.
  • Difficult living conditions (job insecurity, low education level, and frequent reloc…

The non-medical cannabis regime in Québec: A public health analysis

  • This document examines, from a public health perspective, the regulatory regime governing the production, distribution, use and possession of cannabis for non-medical purposes in Québec. The analysis describes the main characteristics of this regime and examines the main public health issues it raises. Thus, the analysis identifies elements that could inform the legislative review process planned for 2021.
  • Compared to what has been put in place in other Canadian provinces and in other countries, the Québec regime has some distinctive characteristics:
  • The fully public nature of the distribution and sales system is unusual. The Société québécoise du cannabis, a not-for-profit state-owned enterprise, holds a monopoly on the purchase and sale of cannabis products for non-medical purposes to individuals in Québec. Compared to partially or fully privatized regimes, this monopoly allows for more direct control over cannabis products…

Legalization of Non-medical Cannabis: A Public Health Approach to Regulation

  • Cannabis is the most commonly consumed illegal substance. The current system of prohibition and its sanctions do not prevent the use of this substance. The most recent data indicate that about 15% of the Québec population report having used cannabis in the past 12 months. More than half of those who have used cannabis report having used it less than once a month. Those who use it weekly or daily represent about a quarter of cannabis users.
  • Cannabis is not an ordinary product. It carries risks for public health and safety. Its psychoactive effects affect the ability to drive motor vehicles, can lead to dependence, can impair brain development in youth, and can potentially give rise to mental disorders. Smoking cannabis can also cause respiratory diseases. The legalization of non-medical cannabis provides an opportunity to create a regulatory system aimed at reducing the social and health problems associated with the use of this substance.
  • There are se…