Cannabis

Cannabis use is a personal choice, but comes with health risks. This includes cognitive, respiratory and reproductive problems. It is safest not to use cannabis.

Young people are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of cannabis, which is linked to health, educational and social problems.

If you do consume cannabis, stay safer by following these steps:

• Delay using cannabis until at least your late 20’s when the brain is fully mature
• Choose lower-risk cannabis products – avoid high-potency and synthetic products
• Choose safer ways to use cannabis – avoid smoking cannabis, inhaling deeply and holding your breath
• If you use cannabis, limit your use to lower your risks
• Never use and then drive or operate other machinery
• Don’t mix with alcohol or other recreational drugs
• Go slow with edibles – be patient, the effects of cannabis edibles are felt slowly and people may consume large doses and experience more severe impairment
• Keep your cannabis products at home in a secure place, out of sight and reach of children and pets

Cannabis can be addictive. The younger people start using cannabis, and the more frequently it’s used, the greater the risk to develop a cannabis dependency. Close to 1 in 10 adults who have ever used cannabis will develop a dependency to it. For people who start using cannabis as teens, that rises to 1 in 6.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with substance use disorder with cannabis or other drugs, help is available.

Young people are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of cannabis, which is linked to health, educational and social problems.

Cannabis can change the way the brain grows and develops. Regular use of cannabis may affect brain development up to at least age 25.

The younger people begin to use cannabis, the greater the risk to develop a cannabis dependency.

Medical cannabis may be helpful for some health conditions. If you think you might want to try medical cannabis, talk to your health care provider about what type of cannabis might help relieve your symptoms. You can also visit the Health Canada website for more information.

As of October 17, 2019 the Regulations under the Cannabis Act were updated to include rules for the legal production and sale of three new classes of cannabis, namely edible cannabis, cannabis extracts and cannabis topicals.

There is no safe level of second-hand smoke. Harmful particles from the burning or cannabis, commercial tobacco, and vapour can be carried up to six metres in outdoor settings.

Northern Health facilities and grounds are smoke-free. Check with your local government to learn about no-smoking/vaping bylaws in your area.

Never use and then drive or operate other machinery. It is illegal, and driving while impaired by cannabis can result in death or injury. For more information, see the Don’t Drive High website. BCAA’s campaign against driving under the influence of cannabis.

Visitors, residents and staff are prohibited from the distribution, consumption and/or sale of non-medical cannabis at Northern Health facilities and premises.

This includes any events and meetings held in Northern Health facilities.

Northern Health facilities and grounds are smoke-free. Smoking and/or vaping are not permitted in Northern Health facilities or grounds.

• Cannabis health effects - Health Canada
• Cannabis and your health - HealthLink BC

For more information contact us at legalsubstances@northernhealth.ca

If you or someone you care about is struggling with substance use disorder with cannabis or other drugs, help is available. Call 8-1-1 for non-emergency advice 24/7