Experts on introduction of cannabis legislation

The following University of Victoria experts are available to media for comment on the federal government’s cannabis legislation being tabled April 13:

Scott MacDonald (Centre for Addictions Research / Faculty of Human and Social Development) is assistant director of UVic’s Centre for Addictions Research of BC (CARBC) and professor in the School of Health Information Science. He has done extensive research on workplace drug-testing methods and driving under the influence of cannabis. He has been an expert witness in several cases related to drug testing in the workplace, and has been a consultant with groups such as the International Labour Office and Transport Canada. He can comment on the legislation's focus on developing roadside saliva tests to detect cannabis use and the complications around that. (Office: 250-472-5933 or scottmac@uvic.ca)

Lynne Belle-Isle (Centre for Addictions Research) is a research affiliate at UVic’s Centre for Addictions Research of BC (CARBC) and a national programs manager at the Canadian AIDS Society. She is a court-recognized expert in cannabis policy and regulation and was part of the CARBC team that drafted recommendations to the Federal Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation. Belle-Isle can speak about the legislation in general terms in English or French. (Office: 250-472-5445 or lynne.belle-isle@alumni.uvic.ca)

Bonnie Leadbeater (Psychology) is an expert in adolescent behaviour and high-risk behaviour in youth. She can comment on the patterns and effects of marijuana on adolescents and young adults development. Leadbeater is the lead author on a new study released last week in the journal Paediatrics & Child Health about the high proportion of young adults who consume cannabis and are also driving. (Office: 250-721-7523 or bleadbea@uvic.ca)