Cannabis

Cannabis is now legal, but there are health risks.

Cannabis is now legal, but there are health risks.

Cannabis is now legal in Canada. And although the laws have changed, the health risks and restrictions have not. With so much confusing information out there, AHS wants to clear the air and talk about what cannabis legalization means for you, the health risks that come with use, and what you can do to ensure you’re being safe if you choose to use.

And if you choose to use, choose lower-risk products, avoid mixing with alcohol, tobacco or other drugs, and do not use and drive.

Cannabis is a much more potent product than it has been in past
Cannabis affects everyone in different ways. Use as little as you can and wait to see how you react.
Effects can be felt within seconds to minutes of smoking, vaporizing or dabbing cannabis and can last up to 24 hours
When eating/drinking cannabis it can take several hours to feel the full effect. Start with a small amount and wait for several hours before you take anymore.

*Cannabis became legal for 18+ in Alberta on October 17, 2018

And if you choose to use, choose lower-risk products, avoid mixing with alcohol, tobacco or other drugs, and do not use and drive.

Cannabis is much more potent product than it has been in past
Cannabis affects everyone in different ways. Use as little as you can and wait to see how you react.
Effects can be felt within seconds to minutes of smoking, vaporizing or dabbing cannabis and can last up to 24 hours
When eating/drinking cannabis it can take several hours to feel the full effect. Start with a small amount and wait for several hours before you take anymore.

*Cannabis became legal for 18+ in Alberta on October 17, 2018

Cannabis use can impact brain development for people under 25.

That’s because, up until that point, the brain is still developing. Because of this, cannabis can create lasting impacts that stay with you for life.

Cannabis use before you’re 25 could affect your attention, judgment, decision making and ability to learn.

Yes, it is legal for those 18+, but there are still significant risks to consider. And for people under 25, this is especially important to think about before using cannabis.

As with any risky behaviour, the safest way to reduce risks is to avoid the behaviour altogether
The younger a person is when starting cannabis use, the greater the likelihood of developing health problems. Delaying cannabis use until later in life is best

If you do choose to use:

Be aware of the potency of products – consider cannabis with higher CBD to THC ratios. Know the strength and composition of the product you use, and ideally, use one with low THC content.
Do not use regularly – limit it to occasional use (one day per week at most). Frequent cannabis use is associated with higher risks of negative health effects.
Avoid mixing with alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. This leads to a greater risk of hurting or harming yourself or others.
Avoid using synthetic cannabinoids (e.g. K2, spice) because they can be more toxic and potent, creating a greater risk of harmful effects

Cannabis use can impact brain development for people under 25.

That’s because, up until that point, the brain is still developing. Because of this, cannabis can create lasting impacts that stay with you for life.

Cannabis use before you’re 25 could affect your attention, judgment, decision making and ability to learn.

Yes, it is legal for those 18+, but there are still significant risks to consider. And for people under 25, this is especially important to think about before using cannabis.

As with any risky behaviour, the safest way to reduce risks is to avoid the behaviour altogether
The younger a person is when starting cannabis use, the greater the likelihood of developing health problems. Delaying cannabis use until later in life is best

If you do choose to use:

Be aware of the potency of products – consider cannabis with higher CBD to THC ratios. Know the strength and composition of the product you use, and ideally, use one with low THC content.
Do not use regularly – limit it to occasional use (one day per week at most). Frequent cannabis use is associated with higher risks of negative health effects.
Avoid mixing with alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. This leads to a greater risk of hurting or harming yourself or others.
Avoid using synthetic cannabinoids (e.g. K2, spice) because they can be more toxic and potent, creating a greater risk of harmful effects

Know the health risks.

There are many short and long-term effects of cannabis use.

Here are a few health risks for you to consider:

Lung Health

Smoking cannabis can damage your lungs. And second-hand smoke can be just as harmful, if not more than tobacco.

Brain Health

Short-term effects of cannabis can include confusion, impairment, slower reaction time, anxiety, fear or panic. These effects can occur within minutes (smoking, vaping, dabbing) and can last for several hours.

Long-term use can affect decision making, personality, and potential to achieve your goals.

Mental Health

For some who use cannabis, frequent use can increase your risk of depression or anxiety.

If you have a family history of mental health problems or substance use disorders, you should avoid using cannabis.

Dependency

You may have heard that cannabis isn’t habit forming. But many reports indicate that early, regular use of cannabis is associated with a higher risk of becoming dependent. Getting help for an addiction and/or mental health issue can be found here.

Pregnancy/Breastfeeding

If you’re pregnant, think you might be or are trying to become pregnant, don’t use cannabis. It can affect the fetus or newborn child and lead to a lower birth weight.

Similarly, do not use cannabis if you are breastfeeding. Toxins from the cannabis are passed to the baby.

Cannabinoid Hypermesis Syndrome

Although cannabis can be used to treat nausea, it can also cause severe nausea and vomiting for some people, known as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS).

CHS symptoms include episodes of severe and sudden nausea and vomiting, which can cause lead to dehydration and kidney failure. Symptoms are often reported to improve with use of hot baths or showers.

Risk factors for CHS include cannabis use weekly or more often (risk increases with higher frequency of use), and a long duration of cannabis use (typically a year or more).

The most important and effective treatment of CHS is to stop cannabis use.

Impairment

THC affects coordination, reaction time, concentration, decision making and judgment.

Driving

Don’t drive high. Cannabis use increases your chances of being in a collision. See more information on impaired driving.

At Work

Check with your employer about relevant alcohol/drug policies and visit Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) for the latest updates on workplace legislation.

Know the health risks.

There are many short and long-term effects of cannabis use.

Here are a few health risks for you to consider:

Lung Health

Smoking cannabis can damage your lungs. And second-hand smoke can be just as harmful, if not more than tobacco.

Brain Health

Long-term use can affect decision making, personality, and potential to achieve your goals.

Mental Health

For some who use cannabis, frequent use can increase your risk of depression or anxiety.

If you have a family history of mental health problems or substance use disorders, you should avoid using cannabis.

Dependency

Pregnancy/Breastfeeding

If you’re pregnant, think you might be or are trying to become pregnant, don’t use cannabis. It can affect the fetus or newborn child and lead to a lower birth weight.

Similarly, do not use cannabis if you are breastfeeding. Toxins from the cannabis are passed to the baby.

Cannabinoid Hypermesis Syndrome

Although cannabis can be used to treat nausea, it can also cause severe nausea and vomiting for some people, known as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS).

Risk factors for CHS include cannabis use weekly or more often (risk increases with higher frequency of use), and a long duration of cannabis use (typically a year or more).

The most important and effective treatment of CHS is to stop cannabis use.

Impairment

THC affects coordination, reaction time, concentration, decision making and judgment.

Driving

Don’t drive high. Cannabis use increases your chances of being in a collision. See more information on impaired driving.

At Work

Check with your employer about relevant alcohol/drug policies and visit Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) for the latest updates on workplace legislation.

Talking to young adults and youth under 18

Have conversations early that reflect your own values toward the use of drugs and other substances such as alcohol and cigarettes.

It’s important to talk about the risks that come with using cannabis before 25. Until then, the brain isn’t fully developed and cannabis use can lead to problems that impact memory, learning, attention, judgment and decision making.

A good approach is to understand the facts. Taking anything that changes the way you think, act and feel could have consequences on major life areas. This could include poor performance in school and dropping out of things you enjoy.

If you know someone who is under 18, and they’re using or considering using cannabis, encourage them to think about where they do it, who they are with, why they are using, and what they are doing while using.

Remember this. Whether or not they express it, youth and teens care about your opinion. It matters and can help with decision making.

If you have children

Consider how to keep children safe in relation to cannabis:

Do not smoke cannabis in the home or around children
Keep cannabis and all drugs (alcohol, tobacco and tobacco-like products) locked up, out of sight, out of reach and in their original containers

If a child is exposed to cannabis and shows signs of distress, contact Poison & Drug Information Service (PADIS) (tollfree 1-800-332-1414) or Health Link (call 811 or 1-866-408-5465 for internet phone users).

For more parenting resources, please visit Healthy Parents, Healthy Children.

Know the Rules

Cannabis became legal across Canada on October 17, 2018. Find out what it means for Albertans by visiting www.alberta.ca/cannabis.

Cannabis Poisoning Signs & Symptoms

Consuming too much cannabis can cause toxic effects. If cannabis is combined with other drugs, the risk can increase as well. Some signs of cannabis poisoning or excessive consumption may include:

Change in heart rate (increase or decrease)
Change in blood pressure (increase or decrease)
Sedation
Confusion
Poor concentration
Nausea/vomiting
Anxiety
Panic attacks
Paranoid thoughts
Seizures

If you are concerned that you or someone you’re with is showing signs of cannabis poisoning or excessive consumption, call the Poison & Drug Information Service (PADIS) (tollfree 1-800-332-1414), Health Link (call 811 or 1-866-408-5465 for internet phone users), or 911.

Children

There are health risks to children when they are exposed to second-hand cannabis smoke. In addition, if a child accidentally eats or drinks cannabis and shows signs of distress, visit Poison & Drug Information Service (PADIS) (tollfree 1-800-332-1414), Health Link (call 811 or 1-866-408-5465 for internet phone users), or 911.

For Educators

Alberta Health Services is working with school health partners to provide key cannabis resources for teachers, school administrators, and other educators.

Clarity on Cannabis Series

Éclaircissements sur le cannabis

For Health Professionals

Cannabis Links & Resources

Medical Cannabis

Drugsafe.ca cannabis information is primarily dedicated to non-medical cannabis, but here are some links related to medical cannabis:

For Influencers of Youth

Pregnant & Breastfeeding Women

More Cannabis Info

For more information visit:

Cannabis (MyHealth.Alberta.ca)
Cannabis in Canada
Take care with cannabis
Canada's Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines
Cannabis health effects
Addiction and Mental Health - Get Help
Workplace legislation

Help & Support

If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s use of cannabis, alcohol, or another drug, please contact Health Link at 811 or Addiction Helpline at 1-866-332-2322.

If you need help or are concerned with someone else’s substance use, call:

Health Link at 811 or
1-866-332-2322 the Addiction Helpline
(available 24 hours a day, seven days a week)

Reduce your Risk

Header Links

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Know the health risks.

Lung Health

Brain Health

Mental Health

Dependency

Pregnancy/Breastfeeding

Cannabinoid Hypermesis Syndrome

Impairment

Driving

At Work

Know the health risks.

Lung Health

Brain Health

Mental Health

Dependency

Pregnancy/Breastfeeding

Cannabinoid Hypermesis Syndrome

Impairment

Driving

At Work

Talking to young adults and youth under 18

If you have children

Know the Rules

Cannabis Poisoning Signs & Symptoms

Children

For Educators

Clarity on Cannabis Series

Éclaircissements sur le cannabis

For Health Professionals

Cannabis Links & Resources

Medical Cannabis

For Influencers of Youth

Pregnant & Breastfeeding Women

More Cannabis Info

Help & Support