MLHU to lose enforcement officers as cannabis legalization reaches 5-year mark
New figures show the number of enforcement officers within the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) will fall in 2024 as funding for a cannabis monitoring program ends.
According to a report to be presented to the Board of Health Thursday, the number of enforcement officers will drop from five to three.
Medical Officer of Health Dr. Alex Summers said the reduction was expected, but will not change MLHU's emphasis on education and enforcement.
“I do think we continue to see the rising risks of cannabis,” Summers told CTV News.
Summers added that Statistics Canada figures show 50 per cent of people between the ages of 20 to 24 used Cannabis in 2022.
The figure comes as Summers advised ‘emerging research’ shows growing mental and physical health concerns caused by non-medicinal pot.
“It is a substance with harm. It’s not a benign drug,” he stated.
For several years, money from the Ontario Cannabis Legalization Fund (OCLIF) has supported two full-time enforcement officers in the London area.
Summers confirms the fund, distributed by the City of London, will run dry in 2024.
However, he maintained the MLHU remains committed to minimizing the risks of legal cannabis.
“So, there will be ongoing work we’re going to have to evaluate. And that means looking for additional resources to support whatever that work might be. We’ll continue to look for those (cannabis education) resources,” said Summers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.