The human brain continues to develop until the age of 25. For this reason, cannabis use is not recommended to anyone younger than 25 years. Cannabis can affect your brain in multiple ways, including causing:

• Sleepiness
• Confusion
• Anxiety
• Difficulty with focusing, concentrating, remembering, and making decisions
• Psychotic episodes involving paranoia, delusion, or hallucinations
• Combining cannabis with tobacco can increase the strength of some of these effects, as well as increase the risk of mental health outcomes including dependence to tobacco products

Resources

• Health Effects Info Sheet

Cannabis can cause:

• Poor coordination
• Slowed reaction time
• Damaged blood vessels caused by smoke
• Decreased blood pressure, increasing risk of fainting or passing out
• Increased heart rate, which is dangerous for people with heart conditions, and can increase the effects of anxiety
• Bronchitis
• Lung infections
• Chronic (long-term) cough
• Increased mucus production in the throat
• Cannabis use increases the risk of accidents and injury during high-speed activities like driving, biking, skiing, skateboarding, etc. The impairing effects of cannabis can last for more than 24 hours after cannabis use, even after other effects have faded.
• Combing alcohol or other substances with cannabis greatly increases the level of impairment and risk of injury or death from accidents.

Cannabis use during pregnancy is associated with:

• Low birth weight
• Increased risks for other adverse health outcomes
• Negative effects in cognitive and academic achievement
• Increased risk of attention deficits, hyperactivity, and substance use in children and later in life
• Chemicals from cannabis can also pass into breastmilk

Resources:

• Cannabis Before, During and After Pregnancy Info Sheet

Cannabis use can be associated with:

• Suicide
• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Addiction/dependence
• Eating disorders

Mental Health effects of cannabis are more likely when:

• Cannabis use starts at a young age
• Cannabis is used frequently (daily or almost every day)
• There is a family or personal history of psychosis and/or schizophrenia
• Prior cannabis use can increase the risk of mental health issues, and history of mental health issues can increase the likelihood of cannabis and other substance use
• More research is needed to better understand the effects of cannabis on mental health

Cannabis use can result in:

• Interruption or failure in fulfilling major duties at work, school, or home
• Giving up important social, occupation, or recreational activities
• Consuming cannabis often, and in larger amounts over a longer period than what was intended
• Being unable to cut down or control cannabis use
• Cost associated with increased use

If you or someone you know experiences an issue associated with cannabis use there is help available in our community.

1. Delay using cannabis until later in life (25+) to lower cannabis-related health risks
2. Choose low-strength products, such as those with a lower THC content or a higher ratio of CBD to THC
3. Don't use synthetic cannabis products like K2 or Spice
4. Use safer methods like edibles or vaping. Smoking cannabis (for example, smoking a joint) is the most harmful way of using cannabis because it directly affects your lungs
5. Avoid inhaling deeply or holding your breath
6. Try to limit your use as much as possible
7. Don't drive or operate machinery after using cannabis, or while you still feel affected by cannabis in any way
8. Do not use cannabis if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
9. Avoid cannabis if you have a personal or family history of psychosis or substance use problems

For more information about cannabis harm reduction, we recommend these resources:

• Canadian Public Health Association - Harm Reduction, Health Promotion and Cannabis Screening Tools
• Canada's Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines Brochure
• Canada's Lower Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines Full Guide 
• Here to Help - Safer Cannabis Use  

The Cannabis Act permits adults to cultivate up to four cannabis plants per household (not per person). Provinces and territories have the flexibility to apply added restrictions on personal cultivation. There are recommended safety and security measures for growing plants that should be considered, such as safe storage and proper ventilation.

Resources:

• Province of Ontario - Growing Your Own Cannabis
• Government of Canada - Growing Cannabis at Home Safely

Cannabis, like many other drugs, slows the reaction time of drivers and increases the chances of being in a collision. If a police officer finds that a driver is impaired by any drug, including cannabis, the driver may face criminal offences including:

• An immediate license suspension
• Financial penalties
• Possible vehicle impoundment
• Possible criminal record
• Possible jail time

Resources:

• Ontario Government - Cannabis and Driving 

No person may sell or provide cannabis to any person under the age of 18. The Act creates two new criminal offences, with maximum penalties of 14 years in jail, for:

• Giving or selling cannabis to youth
• Using a youth to commit a cannabis-related offence

Similar to the current restrictions on advertising for tobacco products, the Cannabis Act helps discourage youth cannabis use by prohibiting:

• Products that are appealing to youth
• Packaging or labelling cannabis in a way that makes it appealing to youth
• Selling cannabis through self-service displays or vending machines
• Promoting cannabis, except in narrow circumstances where young people could not see the promotion

Penalties for violating these prohibitions include a fine of up to $5 million or three years in jail.

Resources:

• Government of Canada - Cannabis Legalization and Regulation