Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is committed to providing a healthy, safe and comfortable environment for everyone at the hospital.As of October 17, 2018, the use of recreational cannabis will be legal across Canada. In Ontario, this means that people over the age of 19 years can buy, grow and possess recreational cannabis and use it in private residences and some outdoor public spaces, among other places. Recreational cannabis cannot be used in a number of places, including in or near hospitals, schools and playgrounds.
What you need to know about cannabis and Holland Bloorview:
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is a zero-tolerance environment for the recreational use of cannabis.
- Clients, families and visitors are not permitted to come to Holland Bloorview if they are under the influence of recreational cannabis.
- Clients, families and visitors are not allowed to use, possess or consume recreational cannabis while on hospital property.
- Holland Bloorview does provide accommodations for clients and families who use medically-prescribed cannabis. Please read the Questions and Answers for more details.
Reminder about smoking and vaping tobacco products
Smoking and vaping tobacco products is not allowed on hospital property or near hospital entrances/exits. Please do not smoke and vape on the sidewalk near the entrance/exit to our Bloorview School as the smoke travels into the school.
Please review the Questions and Answers for more information about the recreational cannabis legislation and Holland Bloorview.
Questions and Answers:
Q1: What is the difference between recreational and medically-prescribed cannabis?
- Recreational Cannabis - Recreational cannabis is used to intentionally change one’s state of consciousness and is more likely to generate a psychoactive effect. Recreational cannabis is not prescribed by a physician for treatment.
- Medically Prescribed Cannabis - This refers to is cannabis that can be administered through a variety of methods, including vaporizing or smoking dried buds, which are prescribed by a physician for medical treatment. Typically, medically-prescribed cannabis is less likely to produce psychoactive effects.
Q2: What do clients, families and visitors need to know about recreational cannabis while at Holland Bloorview? Can it be taken or be present while on hospital property?
No. Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is a zero-tolerance environment for the recreational use of cannabis. Clients, families and visitors are not allowed to use, possess or consume recreational cannabis while on hospital property. Further, no one is permitted to come to Holland Bloorview if they are under the influence of recreational cannabis.
Q3: What would happen if I am discovered using recreational cannabis at the hospital or visiting the hospital while under the influence of recreational cannabis?
You will be required to leave hospital premises.
Q4: What do clients, families and visitors need to know about medically prescribed cannabis while on site at Holland Bloorview? Can it be taken or be present while on hospital property?
- Reasonable accommodations, on a case-by-case basis, may be implemented as protected under the Canadian Human Rights Act.
- A medical cannabis user must adhere to Holland Bloorview’s Substance Use Policy, Non-Smoking Policy, and Scent-Sensitive Environment Policy.
- To request accommodations, clients and families should speak to their care team.
Q5: What should I do if I have a concern about cannabis while at the hospital?
Please speak to a member of your care team or Kimberley Siu-Chong, client and family relations facilitator. Kimberley can be reached in her office in the Grocery Foundation Resource Centre at Holland Bloorview’s Kilgour Road site (first floor), at feedback@hollandbloorview.ca or 416-753-6084.
Q6: Where can I find more information about the new recreational cannabis legislation?
More information is available on the Government of Ontario’s website
