BCAA

26 BCA A .COM SPRING 2018 iStock It's a question more drivers should be asking themselves – and answering no. In a recent CAA survey, 69 per cent of Canadians said they believe high driving is dangerous. But nearly one in 10 said they had driven a vehicle while under the influence of cannabis, and one in five said they had been a passenger in a vehicle driven by someone under the influence. Plus, a worrying 20 per cent of respondents aged 18 to 34 said they think a driver under the influence of cannabis is the same or better behind the wheel as a sober driver. It's a troubling misconception, especially considering how many crashes are caused by cannabis in Canada every year. In 2012 alone, there were an estimated 75 fatalities and 4,407 injuries caused by cannabis- impaired drivers, according to a study led by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. "While most Canadians don't get behind the wheel under the influence, we need to reach those who are unaware of the true risks and believe it isn't a big deal to drive while under the influence of cannabis. The reality is, driving high is driving impaired," says Shawn Pettipas, BCAA's Director of Community Engagement. LEGALIZATION HIGHLIGHTS The federal Cannabis Act comes into effect later this year, legalizing recreational cannabis in Canada. Here's what you need to know in BC: • The legal age for possession will be 19 and over. You'll be able to buy cannabis in private shops and government-run outlets (including online). • Cannabis transported in a motor vehicle will need to be in a sealed package, or inaccessible to vehicle occupants. The use of cannabis in any form will also be banned for all occupants of a vehicle. • Current zero-tolerance restrictions for the presence of alcohol in drivers in the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) will be expanded to include zero tolerance for the presence of THC. • BC law allows the growth of up to four cannabis plants per household, but landlords and strata councils will be able to restrict or prohibit home cultivation. Also, growing cannabis could affect your home insurance eligibility and coverage. • In social hosting situations, you might be considered legally liable for guests who consume cannabis in your home and subsequently injure themselves or others, such as in a car crash. To learn more, visit: bcaa.com/cannabis. WHERE CANNABIS AFFECTS THE BRAIN Ventral Striatum: affects decision-making and sensation of reward Hippocampus: controls memory and spatial navigation Brain Stem: controls pain sensation, vomiting reflex and more Cerebellum: governs muscle control, balance, coordination and speech Hypothalamus: controls appetite and hormones Amygdala: plays a role in memory, decision-making and emotions Neocortex: key in sensory perception, cognition and spatial reasoning Basal Ganglia: governs motor skills, emotion, learning

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