People First Radio – July 23, 2026People First Radio – July 23, 2026
People First Radio
The episode features Craig Jones explaining a new data-driven map highlighting public land with potential for affordable housing in B.C., and Shea Wood outlining the case for a standard THC unit to help people better understand cannabis potency and related risks. Both segments focus on practical tools that may support healthier, more stable communities.
0:00•24 Jul 2026
Mapping Public Land and Making Sense of THC: People First Radio
Episode Overview
- Publicly owned land across B.C. has been analysed and scored to show which parcels may be most suitable for new non-market affordable housing.
- The housing map combines parcel ownership with assessment data and around 25 variables, including vacancy, servicing, amenities, hazards and neighbourhood density.
- Craig Jones emphasises that while the tool cannot guarantee a viable project, it can greatly cut the time needed to identify promising sites for housing providers and governments.
- A recommended standard THC unit of 2.5 mg is proposed as a common measurement across cannabis products, helping people understand and compare their THC exposure.
- Shea Wood notes that cannabis literacy in Canada is low and clearer THC information could support lower-risk use and reduce harms such as psychosis symptoms and cannabis use disorder.
“I actually think that building non-market housing is one of the hardest things that anyone can set out to do.”
What drives someone to seek a life without housing insecurity or substance-related harm? This episode of People First Radio takes on two big structural issues that affect everyday wellbeing: the shortage of affordable housing and the risks tied to modern cannabis use. First up, you’ll hear about a new interactive B.C. public land map from Craig Jones, associate director of UBC’s Housing Assessment Resource Tools project.
He explains how his team joined provincial parcel data with assessment records to spot publicly owned land that’s vacant or underused, then ranked each parcel using around 25 variables. These range from proximity to roads, utilities and amenities, through to slope, natural hazards and existing zoning.
Craig notes, “I actually think that building non-market housing is one of the hardest things that anyone can set out to do,” but argues that easy access to good land information can save time and help community groups, governments and housing providers focus on the “lowest hanging fruit” for new social and non-market housing. The second half shifts to cannabis.
Senior knowledge broker Shea Wood from the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction breaks down the idea of a standard THC unit for Canada, similar in spirit to a standard drink for alcohol. She explains why the team has recommended 2.5 milligrams of THC as a common measure across flowers, edibles, vapes and other products, stressing that it’s a measurement tool, not a dose everyone should take.
Shea highlights that cannabis literacy in Canada is low, labels communicate potency in confusing ways, and high-THC products can increase risks such as psychosis symptoms, cardiovascular issues and cannabis use disorder. Together, these conversations offer practical data tools and clearer information aimed at reducing harm and supporting healthier communities. If you’re curious how better housing policy and smarter cannabis guidance might support recovery and long-term wellbeing, this episode is well worth your time.
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