The Grey Bruce Health Unit's consulting physician is calling for more awareness of the effects of second hand cannabis smoke.
In a presentation to the Board of Health Dr. Ian Arra specifically pointed to the effects in multi unit dwellings like apartment buildings.
He says surveys show just under half of respondents report the smell of second hand tobacco smoke in their unit and it's been determined second hand cannabis smoke is just as dangerous as tobacco smoke.
"The research that we have so far points that they have similar effect, whether it's short term like exacerbation of asthma attacks, limitation of lung function or long term as lung cancer," said Dr. Arra.
He admits trying to ban what people do in their own residence could be problematic.
"However when there is sufficient evidence that harm is happening to the good of the population the evidence is clear or the precedent is clear in our community that we should err on the conservative side."
The Grey Bruce Board of Health will prepare a resolution on the many issues surrounding the legalization of cannabis. That will likely be presented at its next meeting.
