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Resource Description
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Resource Name:
Youth & Cannabis Use: Landscape in Canada
Resource Description:
This webinar recording extracts findings from recent Canadian national surveys and addresses FAQ's such as: Do youth use cannabis in Canada? How does youths' cannabis use differ from adults' demographics? How does cannabis use compare with the use of other substances (i.e alcohol, tobacco) amongst youth in Canada? How has the legalization of cannabis impacted youth in Canada? Does initiating use at a younger age increase the likelihood of developing problem cannabis use? What are the potential harms of cannabis use during adolescence? Providing balanced and evidence-based information about the new cannabis landscape for youth, this webinar provides parents, adults, and professionals involved in young people’s lives with resources supporting an open dialogue with youth, helping youth with their informed decision-making process about cannabis use.
Webinar recording:
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Resource Name:
Let's Talk About Cannabis (August, 2021)
Let's Talk About Cannabis (May, 2022)
Resource Description:
There is a wider variety of cannabis products available than ever before. Different methods of use are growing in popularity among youth in Canada. Each method of cannabis use can result in different levels of psychoactive compounds is not only available, but processed and absorbed in the body. Why does this happen, and why does cannabis produce so many different effects for different people? Join YCAP as we explore why youth cannabis use increases by grade and the factors that influence a young person’s decision to use or not use cannabis. Learn why cannabis affects everyone differently through a discussion of THC dosages, bioavailability and methods of cannabis consumption for youth. Examine additional risks specific to youth and cannabis use, (impact on academic performance, legal and health-related risks) as well as strategies to reduce the harms related to these risks. Learn where you can find more information and supports related to cannabis use.
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Resource Name:
Cannabis & The Adolescent Brain
Resource Description:
The human brain continues to develop until the age of 25. During adolescence, youth learn about the world and discover who they are as their brains mature. Risky behaviors such as using cannabis can have harmful effects on a developing brain when use (regular and heavy use) begins in adolescence.
Join us as we explore:
- How the human brain develops as we grow up
- How compounds in cannabis interact with the human body
- How cannabis affects different regions of the brain
- Health risks of cannabis use on a developing brain
- A discussion on cannabis use disorder
- Harm reduction strategies and support resources
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Resource Name:
Talking With Youth About Cannabis
Resource Description:
Designed specifically for adults involved in youths’ lives, “Talking With Youth About Cannabis” offers suggestions for parents, guardians, teachers or care providers in order to help guide discussions with youth in their lives about cannabis use, while sharing of resources available for the support of youth. Research suggests that lecturing and use of scare tactics is less effective at preventing youth from using substances and instead increases stigma surrounding the conversation. Instead, this presentation will provide participants with ideas on how to frame more open, youth-friendly and honest conversations with a focus on positive youth development.
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Cannabis Conversations - Cannabis Retail & Communities
Resource Description:
Alongside a panel of experts, Youth Cannabis Awareness Program explores considerations taken into account for presence of cannabis retail in communities, standards put in place for operations, and measures protecting youth. The panel questions expand on topics such as, What is the public health approach for cannabis retail outlets? Is smoking and vaping cannabis permitted in public places across Ontario and who sets the restrictions? How does cannabis legalization in Ontario measure against goals outlined in the Cannabis Act? What does education and consumer awareness look like for legal-aged youth?
The panel features experts Jeremy Locke from the Alcohol Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), Jean-Francois Crépault from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Daniel Bear Ph.D., Professor, Humber College, and Daffyd Roderick from the Ontario Cannabis Store.
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Resource Name:
Cannabis Conversations - Cannabis & Youth
Resource Description:
Alongside a panel of experts, Youth Cannabis Awareness Program explores data and trends in youth cannabis use in Canada, how cannabis use affects the health of teens, risks of vaping and other common methods of consumption for youth, youth’s expectations of cannabis education and awareness initiatives across Canada, recommendations for adults engaging in conversation with youth about cannabis, health outcomes around cannabis after legalization, and a reflection on the current cannabis regulatory framework.
The panel features experts Anna Goodman from the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA), Shankari Ratnanesan from the Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy (CSSDP), Alle Butler from the COMPASS Study.
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Resource Name:
Cannabis and Mental Health Course (Created By Cannabis & Psychosis, YouthREX and the Mental Health Commission of Canada)
Resource Description:
Created by youth, for youth, this free 90-minute, online course consists of 4 modules, providing evidence-based, experiential and engaging knowledge addressing the relationship between cannabis use and mental health. The course explores a range of key issues, from understanding why people choose to use, demystifying the endocannabinoid system, the impact of cannabis legislation on communities, harm reduction basics and more.
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Cannabis & Youth: A Certificate For Health Workers (Created by YouthREX)
Resource Description:
Get the facts on the legal and health implications of cannabis use for youth, and learn practice strategies to support youth in making informed decisions about cannabis. Successful participation and completion of the five modules of the certificate entitles participants to a digital certificate and LinkedIn Badge from Youth Research and Evaluation eXchange, York University.
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COVID-19 and Cannabis Use in Young Canadians (Created by Niyati Patel & Felicia Patch, Fleming College Practicum Students)
Resource Description:
This presentation explores the impact of COVID-19 on cannabis use by young Canadians. The research includes reviewing trends in cannabis use during the ongoing pandemic, factors contributing to the changes in use and compared self-reported data from 2020 to 2021 to highlight potential trends and patterns that have emerged over time during the pandemic. In addition, the research also compares self-reported changes in cannabis consumption vs alcohol consumption before and during the pandemic to provide insight into how cannabis use has changed. Finally, recommendations are offered to promote wellness moving forward throughout and after the pandemic.
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Resource Name:
Canna-Facts: Myths, Facts & Misconceptions about Cannabis
Resource Description:
Research about cannabis continues to evolve in Canada. As new information emerges, it is important to be able to differentiate between facts, myths and misconceptions to avoid risks of cannabis-related harm, particularly for youth and new or first-time cannabis consumers.
“Canna-Facts” explores evidence and research through a series of trivia questions to confirm facts, dispel myths and clarify misunderstandings about cannabis in order to promote informed understanding and safe decision-making for youth in Canada.
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Talking With Youth About Cannabis- Self Guided Content
Resource Description:
Talking with youth about cannabis can be difficult and as a result, many adults may avoid having these conversations altogether. With the legalization of cannabis by the Canadian Government in 2018 and the rising popularity of cannabis use among Canadian youth, it is now pertinent for adults, including parents/guardians, to learn effective strategies to enable better conversations with youth about cannabis. This resource, developed by YMCA Youth Cannabis Awareness Program is designed for adults (parents, guardians, care providers, teachers and other professionals) who are involved in the lives of youth. "Talking with Youth about Cannabis" is a resource that provides suggestions and tips to assist adults and help guide open, honest and non-judgmental discussions about cannabis use with youth, while promoting positive youth development.
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Resource Name:
Weed Out The Risk (Created by Springboard Services)
Resource Description:
With the legalization of cannabis, education remains critical. This module uses a frank and open approach to educate youth on the dangers of cannabis-impaired driving.
Note: To complete the self-guided module, you must register with the Community Learning Hub. To do so, please click
here.
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Resource Name:
Talking To Youth About Cannabis (TVO)
Resource Description:
14 is the age most Canadians try cannabis. In an interview with Steve Paikin from TVO's "The Agenda," experts from McMaster University and the YMCA's Youth Cannabis Awareness Program discuss cannabis and its effect on the developing brain, as well as how to navigate challenging conversations about its use with youth.
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Resource Name:
Canna-Facts: Myth, Facts and Misunderstandings about Cannabis.
Resource Description:
The spread of misconceptions and myths increase the risk of people experiencing harms or issues related to cannabis use. “Canna-Facts” explores evidence-based facts to dispel myths and clarify misunderstandings about cannabis in order to promote informed understanding and safe decision-making.
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Resource Name:
Why Choose Legal Cannabis?
Resource Description:
In January 2023, Cannabis NB launched a "Why Choose Legal Cannabis?" education course on the safe purchase and consumption of cannabis. This 10-minute interactive course walks participants through realistic scenarios where they can learn how to ensure they are purchasing legal cannabis, the benefits of purchasing legal versus illegal, and the risks associated with the use of illegal cannabis products.
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Resource Name:
Cannabis in Media and its Impact on Youth
Resource Description:
Media exposure to cannabis use is widespread, from social media to film and music. Celebrities, athletes and influencers speak about cannabis and youth see cannabis ads on different types of media including storefronts, billboards or online. In this workshop, participants explore the impact of cannabis advertising on youth’s cannabis use by applying critical thinking, understanding how media exposure impacts perceptions, learning about media persuasion techniques and identifying common themes used in cannabis ads. In addition by reviewing multiple public education campaigns, participants will have an increased awareness of cannabis risks and harms as well as harm reduction strategies.
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Resource Name:
Youth & Cannabis Use: Landscape in Canada (Self-Guided Module)
Resource Description:
This self-guided module explores findings from Canadian national surveys to illustrate the landscape of recreational cannabis use in Canada particularly as it relates to youth. It will address frequently asked questions such as:
- Do youth use cannabis in Canada?
- How does youth cannabis use differ from adult cannabis use?
- How does cannabis use compare with other substance use trends (i.e. alcohol, tobacco) among youth in Canada?
- How has legalization of cannabis impacted the use of cannabis in Canada?
- Does initiating use at a younger age increase the likelihood of developing problematic cannabis use?
- What are the potential harms of cannabis use for youth?
- What are ways to stay safe if one chooses to use cannabis?
Providing balanced and evidence-based information about the cannabis use landscape, this resource provides parents, adults, and professionals involved in young people’s lives with information supporting an open dialogue with youth about cannabis use.
URL:
18
Resource Name:
Cannabis Use and Stigma
Resource Description:
Stigma creates barriers, prevents people from seeking help, isolates individuals and affects families and communities in a negative way. It is important to discuss the effects of stigma on substance use as there are many reasons why individuals choose to use cannabis, and a multitude of risks contribute to one’s susceptibility for developing a Cannabis Use Disorder. Therefore, it’s important that cannabis use stereotypes are challenged and dismantled. This review intends to provide guidance on dismantling stigma related to cannabis use, discuss factors contributing to cannabis use stigma and recommend strategies to reduce to cannabis use stigma.
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