Alcohol & Other Drugs

Cannabis

Even though cannabis is legal in Canada, it is far from harmless. Cannabis use has negative short- and long-term health effects. Using cannabis can increase the risk of injury, motor vehicle crashes, respiratory problems, reproductive concerns, mental health issues including dependence and psychosis, and impacts on youth brain development. 1 2

Know the risks. Get the facts.

5 Things to Know about Cannabis (Video by University of Waterloo)

Get the Facts
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Mental Health

Cannabis use has more risk for youth. Use at an early age increases mental health challenges. Cannabis use impacts the developing brain and can lead to serious mental health problems such as psychosis, schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. Cannabis use can also reduce motivation, cause memory problems, decrease IQ, and can lead to cannabis use disorder.6

Brain Development

Brain development in youth and young adults can be negatively affected by cannabis use. The brain continues to grow and change until a person is approximately 25 years old. When cannabis, alcohol, or other drugs are used during this critical time in brain development, it can disrupt the way brain connections are made.6 7 Regular cannabis use before the age of 25 increases the risk of developing psychosis, schizophrenia, depression, and/or anxiety disorders.4 6 7

Mixing Cannabis and Alcohol

Avoid mixing cannabis with alcohol or other substances. Alcohol increases the effects of cannabis increasing the risk of over-intoxication and impairment. This could result in anxiety, panic, nausea, vomiting and paranoia.

The Law

There is legislation at both the federal and provincial levels that provide the legal framework to control the production, possession, use and sale of cannabis.

Federal

The Cannabis Act, 2018 controls the production, distribution, sale and possession of cannabis across Canada.

Federal Cannabis Regulations later legalized and added rules related to the production and sale of other cannabis products including edibles, extracts, and topicals.

Provincial

The Cannabis Control Act, 2017 and its regulations control the sale, distribution, and possession of cannabis within Ontario.

The Cannabis Licence Act, 2018 and its regulations control the licencing and authorization of cannabis retail stores as well as the sale of cannabis through retail stores within Ontario.

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 regulates the smoking and vaping of cannabis.

The Ontario Government provides further information on:

  • cannabis laws
  • where cannabis is sold
  • cannabis and driving
  • health effects of cannabis

Legal Highlights:

  • Cannabis use and vaping are illegal in all places where smoking is banned
  • No smoking tobacco, cannabis or vaping on school or hospital grounds
  • No smoking or vaping any substance in the vehicle if someone in the vehicle is 15 years old or younger.9
  • No one in a motor vehicle can consume cannabis while the vehicle is being driven, or at risk of being put into motion.9
  • It is illegal to drive while impaired, whether it’s from alcohol, cannabis or any other drug.8
  • It is illegal to sell or give cannabis to anyone under the age of 19

For Parents and Caregivers

Parents and caregivers have a major role in protecting their child’s health and development, especially when it comes to substance use. When parents and caregivers know the risks, they can make informed decisions and share this information with their child.

Know the Risks
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Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

There is no safe amount or time to use cannabis during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Fertility

Using a lot of cannabis can lead to:

  • Changes to the menstrual cycle for people who menstruate
  • Less sperm and poor sperm quality
  • Pregnancy

Chemicals in cannabis can pass from your body to your baby when you are pregnant. Smoking cannabis can lower the amount of oxygen in your blood to amounts that are not safe for pregnancy.

Baby

The brain of a baby has a lot of fat cells. THC is stored in fat and can harm brain development. Cannabis use in pregnancy can harm a baby throughout childhood and beyond.

Breastfeeding

THC in cannabis is passed through breastmilk.

Children and Youth

Cannabis use by parents and caregivers impacts the children and youth who are present in the home.  can impact your ability to notice (e.g., your child’s hunger, need for comfort, etc.) or react to emergencies involving your children. Substance-free role models can also be a positive influence on youth in the community. 3 4

Cannabis Edibles

Cannabis edibles are products that you eat or drink, which affect you differently than inhaling cannabis. It’s a new era for cannabis edibles with illegal “copycat” products made to look like popular brands of candy being sold and children are at risk.

Cannabis edibles can poison children

Cannibis Edibles
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Protect your family

  • Purchase from authorized provincial retailers. The products they sell will be in plain, child-resistant packages that contain no more than 10 mg of THC.
  • Store cannabis products in locked, labeled boxes, out of children’s reach, away from regular food and drinks.
  • Know the symptoms of cannabis poisoning, including anxiety, confusion, sleepiness, lack of coordination, slurred speech, vomiting, slowed or difficulty breathing, seizures and unconsciousness.
  • Have an emergency plan. If you suspect your child ingested cannabis, take them to an emergency department or call 911 if immediate help is needed.

Signs and symptoms

Children who eat cannabis products are at risk of serious harm.5 In some cases, children may require a breathing tube and admission to the ICU. Signs and symptoms of cannabis ingestion by children include:

  • feeling sick or have nausea and vomiting
  • sleepiness or confusion
  • muscle weakness or lack of coordination
  • slurred speech
  • slow or shallow breathing
  • unconsciousness and/or in rare cases, seizures

If you think your child has consumed cannabis:

  • Call the Ontario Poison Centre toll-free at 1-800-268-9017
  • Go to your nearest emergency department or call 911

Illegal “copycat” products

Be aware of products with flashy packaging, pictures, catchy names, strange THC symbols or that mimic popular name brands like Cheetos, Skittles or Sour Patch Kids. These products can be easily mistaken as candy and often contain many more milligrams of THC than regulated products approved by Health Canada.

Accidental cannabis poisonings

Accidental ingestion of “copycat” edible cannabis products causes serious harms to children. Health Canada had to issue a Public Advisory regarding the copycat edibles problem.

The effects of cannabis edibles

It takes about 30 minutes to 2 hours to start feeling effects and up to four hours to feel the full effects. Effects can last up to 12 hours after use. Using more of an edible before feeling the effects can result in over-intoxication.

The effects can be more intense than inhaling a similar dose of dried cannabis. If you consume edibles, start with a lower amount of THC and wait to feel the effects before consuming more. This will reduce the risk of over-intoxication.

Resources
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Learn more about the health and social effects of cannabis, how to talk to your kids about substance use, and resources to get help with cannabis use.

References
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1The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. (2020). Cannabis. Retrieved from
https://www.ccsa.ca/cannabis-canadian-drug-summary

2The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. (2018). Canada’s Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines. Retrieved from
https://www.camh.ca/-/media/files/pdfs---reports-and-books---research/canadas-lower-risk-guidelines-cannabis-pdf.pdf

3Linkenbach, J. (2002). The Main Frame: Strategies for Generating Social Norms News. Montana, US: Montana State University. Retrieved from
https://www.alcoholeducationproject.org/THE%20MAIN%20FRAME.pdf

4Drug Free Kids Canada. (2018). Cannabis Talk Kit – Know How to Talk to Your Teen. Retrieved from
https://www.drugfreekidscanada.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/Cannabis-Talk-Kit_EN.pdf

5Ontario Poison Centre. (n.d.). Cannabis and kids. Retrieved from
https://www.ontariopoisoncentre.ca/for-families/cannabis-and-kids

6The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. (2015). The Effects of Cannabis Use during Adolescence. Retrieved from
https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2019-04/CCSA-Effects-of-Cannabis-Use-during-Adolescence-Report-2015-en.pdf

7Health Canada. (2017). Health Effects of Cannabis. Retrieved from
https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/hc-sc/documents/services/campaigns/27-16-1808-Factsheet-Health-Effects-eng-web.pdf

8Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. (2018). Impaired Driving. Retrieved from
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/impaired-driving.shtml

9Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care. (2018). Where you can't smoke or vape in Ontario. Retrieved from
https://www.ontario.ca/page/where-you-cant-smoke-or-vape-ontario

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