Health Canada is considered the country's leading health authority. So it's surprising that its latest anti-marijuana ad spouts controversial "facts" about the drug.
In a 30-second clip aired on YouTube and television, the campaign flashes messages on screen—among them, that pot causes decreased IQ—a message that some viewers claim is based on fear-mongering rather than hard, cold scientific fact.
Apparently Health Canada chose the cognitive focus for this particular ad because it had the hardest impact (read: fear) on parental focus groups across Canada this past summer.
Autistic Boy Prescribed Marijuana
With the push to legalize marijuana, and the sudden growth of medically prescribed drug, parents need to know the potential dangers of smoking pot on the developing teenage brain. But what they don't need is speculation, especially when that campaign costs $7.5 million.
The suggestion that marijuana lowers IQ stemmed from a 2012 study from Duke University, which was since refuted after further research failed to find evidence of this claim. What's worrying is that many Canadians will take one look at this ad and take it for gospel, assuming the health agency relies on scientific fact rather than what some say are pure "scare tactics."
Many viewers have called out Health Canada for publishing a theory as fact, with the ad receiving a barrage of 'thumbs down' votes and negative comments.
The Health Canada ads began on 20 October and will continue to run on TV and social media through to 28 December.
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