title: A common public health-oriented policy framework for cannabis, alcohol and tobacco in Canada?
abstract: Support for a public health approach to cannabis policy as an alternative to prohibition and criminalization is gaining momentum. Recent drug policy changes in the United States suggest growing political feasibility for legal regulation of cannabis in other North American jurisdictions. This commentary discusses the outcomes of an interdisciplinary policy meeting with Canadian experts and knowledge users in the area of substance use interventions. The meeting explored possibilities for applying cross-substance learning on policy interventions for alcohol, tobacco and cannabis, towards the goal of advancing a public health framework for reducing harms associated with substance use in Canada. The meeting also explored how the shift in approach to cannabis policy can provide an opportunity to explore potential changes in substance use policy more generally, especially in relation to tobacco and alcohol as legally regulated substances associated with a heavy burden of illness. Drawing from the contributions and debates arising from the policy meeting, this commentary identifies underlying principles and opportunities for learning from policy interventions across tobacco, alcohol and cannabis, as well as research gaps that need to be addressed before a public health framework can be effectively pursued across these substances.
authors.affiliation: University of Toronto. maritt.kirst@utoronto.ca.
authors.forename: Maritt
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kirst
authors.forename: Kat
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kolar
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chaiton
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Emerson
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hyshka
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jesseman
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Solomon
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D002188:Cannabis; D000431:Ethanol; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D011634:Public Health; D062789:Tobacco Products
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol