QUEBEC CITY, Oct. 7, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - The Minister of Health and Social Services, Lionel Carmant, is proud to announce the launch of the Quebec Initiative for Research on Cannabis and Health.
Supported by a budget of up to $10 million, this initiative aims to support new research that will contribute to a better understanding of the phenomena surrounding the use of cannabis for non-medical purposes and its effects on health in Quebec.
On the other hand, the Initiative also aims to position Quebec as a leader in cannabis and health research, to develop and improve Quebec's expertise and to promote the attraction and retention of talent.
As part of this initiative, the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, in collaboration with the Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé and the Fonds de recherche du Québec - Société et culture, is launching a first concerted action entitled "Research program on the non-medical use of cannabis: prevention and harm reduction".
This program aims to develop knowledge to, among other things, better understand the consumption dynamics of people who regularly use cannabis and to deepen the understanding of various themes related to the prevention and reduction of the harms associated with cannabis use. A total of $3 million is available to support this call for proposals, which will include funding for research projects and postdoctoral fellowships.
Quote:
"This initiative is a first impulse to mobilize the Quebec scientific community to position Quebec as a leader in cannabis research. The legalization of a substance such as cannabis is, without a doubt, an important change in society. There is no doubt that the research activities that will be carried out will allow us to better understand the phenomena surrounding cannabis use and its effects, and thus to deploy the best actions to preserve the health and safety of Quebecers.
Lionel Carmant, Minister of Health and Social Services
Highlights :
Recall that the Act to establish the Société québécoise du cannabis, enacting the Act to regulate cannabis and amending various provisions relating to road safety, was adopted in June 2018. Its purpose is to regulate cannabis from a perspective of prevention and reduction of risks and harm to the health of individuals.
Among other things, the Act establishes the Fonds de prévention et de recherche en matière de cannabis (Cannabis Prevention and Research Fund) at the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS), one of the objectives of which is to fund research activities regarding the effects of cannabis on the health status of the population.
Due to the pandemic, work that had begun has been slowed and the planned timeline has been pushed back.
In the coming weeks, work will also begin with the Fonds de recherche du Québec to rapidly develop another component of the initiative, which will include a call for proposals specifically on the effects of non-medical cannabis use on physical and mental health.
SOURCE Office of the Minister of Health and Social Services
Information: Sarah Bigras, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Health and Social Services, 418 446-5911