Health Problems on the Rise Since Cannabis Legalization

According to a research paper published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) on October 10th, the legalization of marijuana in Canada in 2018 has brought about many social benefits but has also triggered various health issues, including a significant increase in cases of mental illness.

This article is co-authored by three researchers from major universities and mental health institutions in Canada and Australia. The article points out that while the legalization of marijuana has indeed reduced the number of arrests related to marijuana consumption, it has also resulted in a significant increase in emergency hospital admissions due to marijuana use. In the two most populous provinces in Canada, Ontario and Alberta, marijuana-related illnesses and poisonings accounted for 20% of the total hospital admissions for young patients.

A recent study cited by the article reveals that the monthly incidence rate of severe vomiting among marijuana users in Ontario, following the legalization of cannabis, has increased by thirteen times. The same study also points out that the number of mental illness-related visits to emergency departments caused by marijuana use has doubled. Another set of research data shows that hospitalizations for children aged 0 to 9 due to accidental ingestion of cannabis-infused food have doubled as well.

At the same time, the number of consumers legally purchasing marijuana has been consistently increasing since its legalization. Currently, two-thirds of marijuana consumers in Canada are obtaining it through legal channels. In October 2018, the Canadian government announced the legalization of recreational marijuana use, stating that this move would help mitigate the societal costs associated with penalizing marijuana use and disrupt the funding sources of criminal organizations.