OH CANNABIS CANADA LEGALIZES POT CREDITS Video duration

OH CANNABIS: CANADA LEGALIZES POT CREDITS Video duration – 16: 55 News in Review is produced by CBC NEWS and curio. ca The government of Canada is legalizing the sale and use of recreational marijuana for people 19 years of age and up (18 in Alberta and Quebec) as of October 17, 2018. That makes Canada only the second country in the world to legalize pot. There will be strict regulations surrounding where the drug can be consumed, bought and grown. But many questions still remain unanswered as the deadline nears — from policing to packaging. Meanwhile, some wonder if weed is even good for people. RELATED CONTENT • Cannabis Legalization video collection • News in Review, Apr 1998 – Marijuana: Taking Another Look GUIDE Writer/Editor: Sean Dolan Additional editing: Michaël Elbaz VIDEO Host: Michael Serapio Senior Producer: Jordanna Lake Packaging Producer: Marie-Hélène Savard Associate Producer: Francine Laprotte Supervising Manager: Laraine Bone Visit www. curio. ca/newsinreview for an archive of all previous News In Review seasons. As a companion resource, go to www. cbc. ca/news for additional articles. CBC authorizes reproduction of material contained in this guide for educational purposes. Please identify source. News In Review is distributed by: curio. ca | CBC Media Solutions © 2018 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

VIDEO REVIEW curio. ca/newsinreview /3

BEFORE VIEWING Prior to legalizing marijuana, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, “We know that, as it stands now, underage Canadians have easier access to marijuana than just about any other country in the world. ” • Do you agree with Trudeau’s position? • How do you think things will change after legalization? Oh Cannabis: Canada Legalizes Pot curio. ca/newsinreview /4

WHILE VIEWING 1. Canada is about to become only the second country in the world — after Uruguay — to legalize the use of recreational marijuana. TRUE or FALSE? 2. The government of Saskatchewan had 1 500 people apply for a licence to sell marijuana. How many licences did they give out? a) 1 500 b) 1 000 c) 500 d) 51 3. Cierra Sieben-Chuback found herself advocating for marijuana after: a) She experienced the benefits of the drug’s pain relieving qualities as she dealt with rheumatoid arthritis. b) She made a decision that pot should be treated the same way as alcohol from a legal perspective. c) She decided that selling the drug could make her a pile of cash. d) Her father convinced her that weed is the wave of the future. Oh Cannabis: Canada Legalizes Pot curio. ca/newsinreview /5

4. What does Cierra Sieben-Chuback mean when she says, “I feel like marijuana use shouldn’t be such a taboo subject”? a) People should be ashamed of having a reliance on drugs and alcohol. b) People shouldn’t be ashamed to admit their faults. c) People should feel free to talk about the benefits of marijuana without having to worry about negative social stereotypes about the drug. d) People need to lighten up. 5. In a recent Statistics Canada survey, about 4. 2 million Canadians reported some use of cannabis products for medical and non-medical purposes. TRUE or FALSE? 6. Near daily use of marijuana by people under the age of 25 has been associated with: a) Higher grades in school b) Long-term relief of stress and anxiety c) The development of a host of physical ailments d) A higher risk of suicide, depression and anxiety disorders Oh Cannabis: Canada Legalizes Pot curio. ca/newsinreview /6

7. Doctors can predict which marijuana users will become psychotic and schizophrenic. TRUE or FALSE? 8. 8. Many people falsely believe that smoking marijuana makes them a better driver. TRUE or FALSE? 9. How long did it take Vanessa Markov to break her cannabis habit? a) 6 days b) 6 weeks c) 6 months d) 6 years According to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, criminal organizations, street gangs and gun-runners make $6 billion a year through the illicit trade of marijuana. Oh Cannabis: Canada Legalizes Pot curio. ca/newsinreview /7

TALK PROMPTS NEW curio. ca/newsinreview /8

TALK PROMPT #1 Consider pausing the video and giving students the opportunity to talk to an elbow partner for a few minutes or use these questions as part of a class discussion. Pause the video after Catherine Cullen signs off from the first story, @ 00: 00 – 02: 55 1. Why is it significant that Canada is the second nation in the world to legalize marijuana for recreational use? 2. Why did Prime Minister Trudeau opt for legalization over decriminalization? 3. Why do experts challenge Trudeau’s assertion that legalization will crush the black-market sale of cannabis? Oh Cannabis: Canada Legalizes Pot curio. ca/newsinreview /9

TALK PROMPT #2 Pause the video after Nick Purdon signs off from the second story, @ 02: 56 – 12: 22 1. What will Cierra Sieben-Chuback need to do to be successful as a marijuana retailer? What does she have going for her? What is stacked against her? 2. Why did Cierra decide to get into the cannabis business? What are her feelings about the drug? Oh Cannabis: Canada Legalizes Pot curio. ca/newsinreview / 10

TALK PROMPT #3 Play the video through to the end and consider the following questions as a class – @ 12: 23 to end 1. What do you think of Vanessa Markov’s story? Do you think her experience is typical? 2. What risks are there for young people like Vanessa who choose to smoke weed while they are teens? Is this enough to keep you from using cannabis? 3. Why do you think so many people embrace the myth that using marijuana makes someone a better driver? Oh Cannabis: Canada Legalizes Pot curio. ca/newsinreview / 11

AFTER VIEWING The Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey asked students how the legalization of cannabis will affect their behaviour: • 62. 1 per cent said they don’t plan on using marijuana • 11. 4 per cent said they will continue using cannabis at their current rate • 8. 1 per cent said they would give cannabis a try • 3. 6 per cent said they would use cannabis more • 14. 2 per cent said they were unsure what they’ll do Oh Cannabis: Canada Legalizes Pot How will the legalization of marijuana affect your behaviour? Will legalization change your feelings about cannabis? Explain your answer.   The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is responsible for the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey. The study gathers the opinions of thousands of students at over 200 elementary and secondary schools from across Ontario. curio. ca/newsinreview / 12

There can be no doubt regarding the scientific literature that cannabis use prior to the mid-20 s is associated with structural and harmful effects on the developing brain. – Dr. Christina Grant Associate Professor, Pediatrics, Mc. Master University

THE STORY Canada is on the verge of becoming just the second nation in the world to legalize recreational marijuana use. According to advocates for the move, legalization is long overdue since it will help to curtail the cannabis black market, allow the police to shift their focus away from marijuana related crime, and create a huge tax bonanza for the government. Those opposed to the move say that legalization will lead to adverse health effects for many Canadians — especially those under the age of 25. Whether someone is for legalization or not, pot will be legal on October 17, 2018. Of course, there are parameters surrounding the weed roll out. Most provinces restrict the sale of cannabis to Oh Cannabis: Canada Legalizes Pot people over the age of 19. Each province has also determined who can sell cannabis by issuing licences to select retailers or controlling the market through established provincially run curio. ca/newsinreview / 14

liquor stores. For its part, the federal government has set aside $62. 5 million for awareness campaigns dealing with the hazards of marijuana abuse — particularly surrounding the use of weed prior to operating a motor vehicle. Parameters or not, cannabis is a drug that impairs a person’s normal functioning and decision making. Medical experts are quick to point out that occasional use of marijuana has few negative health effects, while chronic or heavy use of the drug can have significant harmful health implications, particularly for users under the age of 25. Why 25? Because a person’s brain does not fully develop until that age and bombarding it with THC (the ingredient in cannabis that produces the high) can create the conditions for psychotic episodes and mental illness. Oh Cannabis: Canada Legalizes Pot There is evidence to support this position. Mc. Master University’s Christina Grant says, “There can be no doubt regarding the scientific literature that cannabis use prior to the mid-20 s is associated with structural and harmful effects on the Contrary to popular belief, it’s developing brain. ” estimated that 9% of cannabis users will develop an addiction or dependency. That goes up to 17% for people who start smoking marijuana when they are teenagers. curio. ca/newsinreview / 15

She says that cannabis affects the pre-frontal cortex (the area of the brain responsible for decision making and impulse control) that continues to develop until a person’s mid-20 s, and regular cannabis use can increase the likelihood of psychotic episodes in users by up to 40 per cent. Meanwhile, Université de Montréal’s Patricia Conrod, the senior author of a study involving 4 000 students from grades 7 to 12, from 2012 to the present, notes that more students who smoke weed regularly are reporting “psychotic-like” symptoms with each passing year. Conrod say, “If they use cannabis, they are more likely to experience more psychotic symptoms a year later. ” Vaughan Dowie, the CEO of Pine River Institute in Toronto (a youth addiction treatment program), thinks all levels of government need to focus their resources on education and awareness to encourage young people to delay cannabis use until their brains are fully developed. He bases Oh Cannabis: Canada Legalizes Pot this premise on his years of experience in addiction counselling. So, while cannabis is soon to become legal, medical experts are sounding the alarms on potential dangers associated with normalizing a mindaltering drug, particularly in relation to youth. Check out Cannabis Talk Kit from Drug Free Kids Canada. curio. ca/newsinreview / 16

TO CONSIDER • Why are medical experts worried about the legalization of marijuana and potential health effects for people? • Who are they most worried about? Why? Oh Cannabis: Canada Legalizes Pot curio. ca/newsinreview / 17

ACTIVITY: Pros and Cons of Marijuana Use in favour of recreational marijuana legalization and 10 arguments that point to societal problems that may arise after legalization takes place in the fall of 2018. PART I – Make a list 1. Working in a group of four, compile a list of pros and cons relating to the legalization of recreational marijuana, using the chart on the following page. 2. Be careful not to focus on medicinal marijuana and remain attentive to recreational marijuana. 3. Make sure you come up with at least 10 arguments 4. Also, keep track of the sources you use while compiling your list. This will be important in the second half of this activity. Consult a minimum of five sources. Oh Cannabis: Canada Legalizes Pot curio. ca/newsinreview / 18

Cons – the problems that will accompany the legalization of marijuana Pros – the benefits of legalizing recreational marijuana Oh Cannabis: Canada Legalizes Pot curio. ca/newsinreview / 19

PART II – Check your sources 1. Check your sources using the website Media Bias/Fact Check – https: // mediabiasfactcheck. com/. 2. Describe the bias of the sources you used, using the chart on the following page. Bias involves showing favouritism for a certain position, idea or person. For example, The Calgary Sun is described in the following manner on the Media Bias/Fact Check website: Oh Cannabis: Canada Legalizes Pot Right-centre bias – These media sources are slightly to moderately conservative in bias. They often publish information that utilizes loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by using appeal to emotion or stereotypes) to favour conservative causes. These sources are generally trustworthy for information but may require further investigation. curio. ca/newsinreview / 20

Source Bias Did the source reflect the bias described by Media Bias/Fact Check? Explain. What did you learn about the sources that you used while completing this activity? Oh Cannabis: Canada Legalizes Pot curio. ca/newsinreview / 21

Check out the Cannabis Legalization collection on curio. ca The federal government has announced that Canadians aged 18 and older will be able to legally purchase and consume recreational marijuana as of October 17, 2018. Among other changes, adults across the country will be allowed to purchase fresh or dried cannabis, cannabis oil, plants and seeds for cultivation from either a provincially or territorially regulated retailer, or — where this option is not available — directly from a federally licensed producer. The provinces and territories will be responsible for the practical implementation of legalization. Quebec, for example, has passed a bill prohibiting the home cultivation of marijuana plants. While the legalization of cannabis is creating business opportunities for some, others worry about the impact of relaxed laws on consumption among youth. This collection looks at the ways marijuana legalization will impact the daily lives of Canadians, young and old. www. curio. ca/en/collection/cannabis-legalization-2610/ Oh Cannabis: Canada Legalizes Pot curio. ca/newsinreview / 22

ACTIVITY: Cannabis vs. Alcohol Well before Canada chose to take steps toward the legalization of cannabis, marijuana advocates argued vehemently that it made no sense to prohibit weed when alcohol was legal — and incredibly harmful to society. Your task is to engage in this debate and see what ideas you can come up with. DEBATE TEAMS The Debate Premise Team 2: Opposed to the premise – this team will come up with three points challenging the premise and prepare for attacks dealing with the harmful effects of alcohol on individuals and society. Be it resolved that cannabis is a far less harmful drug than alcohol and that legalization is long overdue. Oh Cannabis: Canada Legalizes Pot Team 1: For the premise – this team will come up with three points in favour of the premise and prepare to counter the attacks that will be brought by the other team regarding the harmful implications of marijuana on individuals and society. curio. ca/newsinreview / 23

DEBATE FORMAT • • • Form a group of four. Your teacher will separate you into two debate teams – one in favour of the premise and one opposed to the premise. Opening statement – 3 minutes, state your position Arguments for/against the premise – 5 minutes Rebuttal arguments – 3 minutes, presented after each argument Closing statement – 3 minutes, re-state your position Gather as a class after the debates and discuss what your learned while completing this activity. Oh Cannabis: Canada Legalizes Pot OUTLINE Team 1 – Opening statement Team 2 – Opening statement Team 1 – Point #1 Team 2 – Rebuttal Team 1 – Point #2 Team 2 – Rebuttal Team 1 – Point #3 Team 2 - Rebuttal Team 2 – Point #1 Team 1 – Rebuttal Team 2 – Point #2 Team 1 – Rebuttal Team 2 – Point #3 Team 1 - Rebuttal Team 1 – Closing statement Team 2 – Closing statement curio. ca/newsinreview / 24

SOURCES Dolan, Sean. (September 2017). A growing concern: Are we ready for weed? Canadian School Counsellor. Dowie, Vaughan. (April 17, 2018). No. More money is needed on education, addiction treatment. Toronto Star. Geddes, John. (July 1, 2018). The Marijuana Nightmare. Maclean’s. Gillis, Charlie. (October 17, 2016). Is Canada ready to deal with stoned drivers? Maclean’s. Mac. Queen, Ken. (June 10, 2013). Why it’s time to legalize marijuana. Maclean’s. Oh Cannabis: Canada Legalizes Pot curio. ca/newsinreview / 25