The legalization of cannabis has been confusing for many organizations, but the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit is offering support to help those who aren't sure how to handle it.
Wednesday officially marked the full legalization of marijuana for use and purchase in Canada.
According to Jeff Moco, health educator with the CK health unit, the introduction of a new legal substance people can use outside of work means many companies need to create new policies. That's where the health unit comes in.
"We're just drafting some policies right now so we hope to share that throughout workplace wellness committees," Moco said. "Here at the municipality, we have a 'fit for work' policy which I think a lot of employers are using. You wouldn't show up for work at 6 a.m. after staying up all night."
Moco said there haven't been too many businesses reach out to them yet for advice, but this topic has been front and center during meetings with organizations.
He said the support isn't just for businesses as the health unit also provides support for schools. According to Moco people have lots of questions and his organization has the answers.
"When it's good to use, when it's not good to use, what are the safer methods of delivery and harm reduction approaches," Moco said. "There's so much information in the world. We'd like to see our job as filtering that and listening to what the parents, educators and youths concerns are. We really want to create supportive environments."
The main recommendation the health unit is suggesting is no one under the age of 25 uses marijuana as the brain is still developing. Moco understood the legal age to purchase is 19 so the focus is on how to delay the usage of the substance.
"Just because something is legal doesn't mean it is a good idea to use, right?" Moco said.
He said anyone who uses any substance, cannabis included, and feels it is becoming a problem and wants to stop can get help from the organization.
According to Moco the majority of the health unit's work will be educating people on where you can and can't smoke marijuana. He said it can be very confusing for people, especially those living in multi-unit dwellings.
Moco said the Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit set up a cannabis information website. He added anyone looking for the services offered, or any information on the legalization of marijuana, can check it out and contact the organization through it.