The Canadian Medical Association released data from a new survey of doctors on legal cannabis sales.
The data revealed that just over a quarter of respondents said a minimum age of 21 should be set for anyone buying or possessing cannabis, with 35 per cent saying the legal age should be the same as other controlled substances — 18 or 19.
The results were presented at a meeting of the CMA’s general council in Vancouver, today.
Out of a total of 788 doctors responding to the survey, 72 per cent said they want the government to regulate THC levels in cannabis in recreational sales, while almost 87 per cent said more research needs to be done into updated cannabis research.
The survey showed a split in opinion for physicians on how cannabis should be regulated, with 43 per cent saying there should be a single system that sees no distinction between recreational and medical cannabis and 39 per cent in favour of a two-tiered system.
Doctors were mostly in favour of cannabis sold outside of the existing health care system, with 56 per cent looking to liquor stores to sell within there walls, 47 per cent in favour of dispensaries, 29 per cent in pharmacies and 16 per cent by mail. This question allowed for multiple choices.
Representatives from the association said the result revealed doctors’ attitude that cannabis is mainly recreational.
The Canadian Medical Association said it is set to consult with the federal task force appointed to create a regulatory framework for sales, to be introduced later in the fall.