Hastings and Prince Edward Public Health is pleased that more federal funding will be put into marijuana education.
As part of the 2018 federal budget, over $62-million will be put towards public education campaigns about the dangers of drug use. Â Program Manager Roberto Almeida says, although these will likely be federal education campaigns, it will give the local health unit content to use.
This funding is on top of $46-million the government had already earmarked for marijuana education.
The budget also has $10-million set aside for pot research. Almeida says this is an important step as there are a lot of unknowns around cannabis because it’s been illegal for so long.
Meanwhile, the government also recently announced that pot may not be legal until August or September. Originally, the plan was to have it legalized by July 1st. Almeida says, no matter when it happens, the health unit will be ready.
HPEPH continues to meet with municipalities in the region to look at their existing bylaws and consider revisions in preparation for marijuana legalization.
