The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) is warning the public about contaminated marijuana.
A campaign is underway to encourage Ontarians to know their source for when cannabis is legalized later this summer.
OACP says the quality and purity of illegal cannabis cannot be guaranteed and is frequently mixed with or contains pesticides, other drugs, heavy metals, mould or fungus, and other contaminants.
"As Ontario moves towards legal cannabis for non-medical use, there is a pressing need for informed policy decisions and public education to avoid negative impacts on the health and well-being of Ontarians, and community safety in general," an OACP study released on Wednesday states. "For example, the THC potency of illegal cannabis is usually unknown, so you could end up using a much stronger product than expected. This could heighten or prolong effects such as confusion or anxiety."
“Knowing your source is the start to be able to make smart decisions. The single most cost-effective way of bringing about community safety and well-being is preventing crime before it happens and that starts with each of us as individuals doing our part,” says Chief Paul Pedersen of the Greater Sudbury Police Service and vice chair of the OACP Community Safety and Crime Prevention Committee.
OACP says there will likely always be an illegal market for marijuana even after legalization and supports Ontario’s efforts to strictly regulate where individuals can buy pot when it's legalized.