Cannabis is legal in Canada as of October 17, 2018. This change in law will have health and social impacts. Cannabis has traditionally been an illegal substance, which has resulted in social stigma around the topic. Research evidence in regard to cannabis has been impacted by this stigma. There is a need for greater exploration of cannabis access and use from a variety of perspectives (e.g., Eggertson, 2017). The existing body of research evidence to draw from impacts the availability, direction and volume of synthesized information resources to support decision-making, such as clinical practice guidelines and patient education.
In this shifting landscape it is difficult to know where to start when seeking information about cannabis. To assist in navigating the complexities resulting from cannabis legalization, librarians from Dalhousie University Libraries and Nova Scotia Heath Authority’s Library Services have partnered to curate trusted information resources about cannabis access and use. Our collaborative Cannabis subject guide brings together trusted resources in one easy-to-access location, organized by audience.
Clinicians will find evidence bundles from authoritative sources like CADTH and RxTx. Policy Makers have access to federal and provincial regulation sources, as well as policy-related articles. Resources for Patients and the Public highlight web resources such as patient guides and books that can be signed out as part of Nova Scotia’s Borrow Anywhere, Return Anywhere program. The Students page focuses on policies regarding cannabis at local academic institutions, as well as cannabis-related courses and student health resources. On the Researchers page, you will find examples of locally-produced health research, in addition to research associations and selected journals that publish relevant literature.
Throughout the guide, links to government documents and resources (both federal and provincial) related to the recent changes to the legislation are provided. In particular, check out the tabs for ‘Legal Definitions’ and ‘Legal Resources’ on the About page.
As government implements this law, new research and synthesis will continue to be published. Database search strategies are included on the Find Articles page to help you stay current in this area. Simply copy the highlighted search strategy and paste it into the corresponding database access point to view results. Health search strategies focus on the therapeutic uses of cannabis. Links to two legal search strategies give users easy access to information from the Canadian Legal Information Institute. Happy searching!
Librarian Educator, Education & Outreach
Dickson Building, Central Zone
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