5. Public Health and Harm Reduction Approaches to Cannabis Use

A public health approach promotes the health and well-being of the whole population and works to help all groups of people have an equal chance of having good health. ¹ Taking a public health approach to cannabis use means working to reduce harms while also using targeted measures for those who are at higher risk of harm due to their cannabis use. ²

The strategies used in a public health approach are health promotion and protection, prevention, harm reduction, and evidence-based services to support those who have developed or are at risk of developing a substance use problem. ¹ Addressing the risk and protective factors that determine the health of populations is also part of a public health approach(see section 2, subsection 3, for examples of risk and protective factors among post-secondary students). ¹

The legalization and regulation of cannabis provides the opportunity for cannabis use to be treated as a health issue rather than as a criminal one.

As previously noted, harm reduction is part of a public health approach to address cannabis use. Harm reduction refers to any efforts to minimize the harms associated with substance use. ³ It operates on the premise that some people will use substances, and that those who use them may not be able or want to stop using them.
⁴ Harm reduction is grounded in the belief that people have the right to choose how they live their lives and that they deserve respect. ⁵ The focus is on promoting safer use of substances to prevent harm. ⁵ For more information on harm reduction approaches when working with students see Section 2.

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