MONCTON, NB, Aug. 27, 2018
/CNW/ - According to a survey commissioned by Organigram Inc., a
leading licensed producer of medical marijuana (Parent company:
Organigram Holdings Inc. (TSXV: OGI) (OTCQB: OGRMF)), a majority of
Canadian parents (60 per cent) are concerned about cannabis
legalization. More than half of the parents surveyed (54 per cent)
feel there is currently not enough information available to youth
about the risks associated with cannabis use and only three in ten
parents feel "very prepared" to educate their children about
cannabis.
![Canadian parents concerned about legalization of cannabis, agree not enough information available to youth about cannabis use risks (CNW Group/OrganiGram) Canadian parents concerned about legalization of cannabis, agree not enough information available to youth about cannabis use risks (CNW Group/OrganiGram)](https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/735492/OrganiGram_Canadian_parents_concerned_about_legalization_of_cann.jpg)
"As we move toward the legalization of cannabis, it's important
that we take pulse checks along the way," said Ray Gracewood, Chief Commercial Officer,
Organigram. "By asking parents how they feel, we get a real-time
sense of not only what's keeping Canadian parents up at night, but
the opportunities we have, as a company and as an industry, and in
collaboration with healthcare professionals and educators, to
address their concerns. If the safety of youth is a priority of
legalization, this discussion is critical."
The survey also revealed that:
- Nearly half of parents (46 per cent) with children aged four
and up have already discussed cannabis legalization with their
children, though only one-quarter (26 per cent) of that group have
discussed this in detail. One in ten (9 per cent) do not plan on
discussing legalization with their children.
- One-third of all parents (35 per cent) feel "very confident"
they could recognize signs of cannabis use in their child.
- Two-thirds of parents (67 per cent) are most trusting of
physicians or other healthcare professionals when it comes to
information to help parents educate children about cannabis and its
appropriate use.
- Canadian parents feel it is important to have information on
topics relating to: the perception that cannabis use leading to the
use of "harder" drugs (84 per cent); the comparative effects of
different forms of cannabis (e.g. edibles compared to smoking
cannabis) (88 per cent); and the likelihood of cannabis use leading
to tobacco use (74 per cent).
When asked about the education of youth about cannabis, the top
priority that parents identified from a list of potential
priorities for children is the importance of not driving under the
influence of cannabis (87 per cent). Other top priorities include
the negative effects of cannabis use on their bodies (75 per cent),
how to turn down offers to use cannabis (75 per cent), and risks of
use with other substances (74 per cent).
"Legalization is coming and this research highlights the fact
that Canadian parents have concerns," said Dr. Michael Verbora, Chief Medical Officer of
Aleafia Total Health. "Ask yourself: what are your concerns? I
would encourage parents to seek information on the risks and
realities from a credible source, like a physician or health
authority, and start having those conversations now. Knowledge is
power and will be key to proactive, open dialogue in Canadian
homes. Frank discussion and well-informed families will help
protect youth in this new era of cannabis legalization."
Regional Highlights
While Canadian parents are aligned on many of their concerns and
priorities, there are notable differences across regions. For
example:
- Current reported cannabis use is highest among Atlantic
Canadian parents (20 per cent) and British Columbian parents (16
per cent), and potential reported use is also highest among
Atlantic Canadian parents (22 per cent). Having never used cannabis
and having no intention to use it is reported as highest among
parents in Quebec (43 per cent)
and parents in Ontario (42 per
cent).
- Atlantic Canadian parents are most likely of all regions to
strongly support legalization (39 per cent), to not be concerned
about legalization (52 per cent) and to feel very prepared to
educate their children about cannabis (43 per cent). Quebecios
parents are those most likely of parents in all regions to strongly
oppose legalization (35 per cent), to be concerned about
legalization (69 per cent), and to not feel prepared to educate
their children about cannabis (37 per cent).
- Atlantic Canadian parents and parents from the Prairies are
those most likely of parents in all regions to feel very confident
that they could recognize signs of cannabis use in their children
(44 per cent and 40 per cent, respectively).
- Ontarian parents are more likely than those in other regions to
trust the following sources for cannabis education:
physicians/health care professionals, the provincial government,
and the federal government.
As a company committed to the education of youth and young
adults, Organigram is currently supporting responsible cannabis use
and harms reduction initiatives including, among others, those
developed by both the Province of New
Brunswick and Mount Allison
University. Officials from Organigram hope the findings of
this recent survey may inspire conversations in Canadian homes on
the importance of educating youth on cannabis, pre and
post-legalization.
"The most important goal of cannabis legalization is the
protection of Canadian youth," says Greg
Engel, CEO, Organigram. "As a company, we will continue to
support the education of Canadians about cannabis and will continue
to collaborate with those on the front lines of this
discussion."
Educational Resources
Organigram also applauds the federal government and provincial
governments' ongoing commitment to the protection of youth. As
announced earlier this year, federal funding has been allocated
through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research for 14 research
projects relative to the impact of cannabis on, among other issues,
childhood health and mental health.
Organigram has recently launched a Parent Resource Library on
its website (www.organigram.ca/parentresources) which provides
access to educational information from sources including the
Canadian Centre of Substance Abuse and Addiction, The Government of
New Brunswick and Health
Canada.
About the Survey
Environics Research conducted an online survey of 1,005 Canadian
parents with children under the age of 18 who live in their home at
least part of the time. Quotas were in place to ensure
representation by province, gender and by age of child. The survey
was in field from June 26 to July 9,
2018.
About Organigram Holdings Inc.
Organigram Holdings Inc. is a TSX Venture Exchange listed
company whose wholly owned subsidiary, Organigram Inc., is a
licensed producer of cannabis and cannabis-derived products in
Canada.
Organigram is focused on producing the highest-quality,
indoor-grown cannabis for patients and adult recreational consumers
in Canada, as well as developing
international business partnerships to extend the company's global
footprint. In anticipation of the legal adult use recreational
cannabis in Canada, Organigram has
developed a portfolio of brands including The Edison Cannabis
Company, Ankr Organics and Trailer Park Buds. Organigram's primary
facility is located in Moncton, New
Brunswick and the Company is regulated by the Access to
Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations ("ACMPR").
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture
Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of
this release.
This news release contains forward-looking information which
involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that may cause actual events to differ materially from current
expectations. Important factors - including the availability of
funds, consummation of definitive documentation, the results of
financing efforts, crop yields - that could cause actual results to
differ materially from the Company's expectations are disclosed in
the Company's documents filed from time to time on SEDAR (see
www.sedar.com). Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance
on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the
date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intention or
obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update or
revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
For more information on Organigram please visit:
www.Organigram.ca
SOURCE OrganiGram