❓ Question on Notice regarding the impact of cannabis legalisation on youth cannabis use and hospital presentations in WA. The Minister provides data on under-18s presenting to hospitals due to cannabis and affirms consideration of research in future drug reform debates.
AnsweredQoN 1646Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the Minister to recent longitudinal studies of youth, published in the US Journal of Preventative Medicine, which conclude that young people are no more less likely to use cannabis in jurisdictions which have legalised recreational use for adults, than they are in states which have not, and i ask: (a) how many under 18's have presentied to WA hospitals in the last twelve months as a direct or indirect result of cannabis use; (b) what percentage of presentations in (a), involving cannabis does that amount to; and (c) will the Minister take this latest research into account when considering juvenile outcomes in any future debate on drug reform in Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 November 2023
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Health; Mental Health
Response time
11 days
a) 70 attendance.
b) 20.7% of emergency presentations that involve cannabis are patients under 18 years.
c) The State Government monitors national and international research and data related to the long-term impacts of cannabis decriminalisation and legalisation on use, harm and other social outcomes. This also includes the consideration of research related to young people’s use of cannabis, including impacts on the developing brain and associated harms.
b) 20.7% of emergency presentations that involve cannabis are patients under 18 years.
c) The State Government monitors national and international research and data related to the long-term impacts of cannabis decriminalisation and legalisation on use, harm and other social outcomes. This also includes the consideration of research related to young people’s use of cannabis, including impacts on the developing brain and associated harms.
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