Science Cafés - Legalization of Marijuana

Legalization of Marijuana: evidence-based decision or reefer madness? Panelists: Dr. James Watterson, Chair of the Department of Forensic Science, Laurentian University Sarah Cadorette, Clinical Supervisor, Bodystream Medical Marijuana Services Vanessa Thornton, Cannabis Councillor, Canadian Cannabis Clinics FREE! - No registration required As the Government of Canada aims to legalize marijuana by July 1st 2018, many questions still loom about benefits, risks, enforcement, and scientific evidence. Since 1997, public opinion polls have found that an increasing majority of Canadians agree that, “Smoking marijuana should not be a criminal offence.” Is this shift in public opinion supported by scientific evidence? Medical marijuana is currently used to treat a long list of health problems, but when we look at the scientific evidence, the list gets very short. There is also evidence that marijuana can have negative effects on brain development, especially in teenagers. Marijuana researchers in Canada are held back by current regulations and more research is needed. With one of the world’s highest consumption rates and immanent legalization in Canada, are our scientists poised to become world leaders in marijuana research? *Please use back parking lot at Taphouse Northern Grill + Pub