Cannabis Edibles

What you need to know about edible cannabis

Read the label

While cannabis edibles may look like regular food, treat or drink items, edible cannabis products are like other drugs that can affect the way you think, feel and act.

The amount of THC can be different for each product; read all labels carefully. If you have never tried an edible before or are new to cannabis, consume a small amount and wait to feel the effects before taking more.

Click here to learn more about edible labels

Start low and go slow

It can take up to 4 hours for the full effects of edible cannabis to be felt and can last up to 12 hours, with some effects lasting up to 24 hours.

Click here to learn more about the risks associated with ingesting cannabis

Safe storage

Children and pets can accidentally eat or drink these items and become very sick. Keep all cannabis products in labeled child-resistant packaging and stored in a locked area out of sight and reach.

Click here for tips to safely store cannabis

Cannabis poisoning

Cannabis poisoning can affect anyone. The signs of poisoning may not appear right away, and it can happen hours after consumption. If you’re concerned you or someone you know might be experiencing symptoms related to poisoning, seek immediate medical help.

Mental Health

Daily or near-daily cannabis use increases the risk of dependence and can bring on or worsen disorders related to anxiety or depression. Regular use of cannabis products containing high levels of THC can increase your risk of developing psychosis, especially if you have a family history of psychosis (paranoia) or schizophrenia. Avoid daily or near-daily use of cannabis and choose products with lower levels of THC.

Don’t consume and drive

When smoking cannabis, the effects may be felt immediately. However, it may take up to 4 hours for the full effects of edible cannabis to be felt and can last up to 12 hours or longer. Consuming cannabis in any form slows your reaction time and affects your decision-making skills, increasing your chances of a collision. Never drive while impaired.

Never mix

Avoid mixing cannabis with tobacco, alcohol, prescription drugs, and other drugs. Mixing can increase impairment and potentially cause other harms.

For more information on any of these topics, please visit ccsa.ca/cannabis

Edible Cannabis and Kids

The Ontario Poison Centre is seeing an increase in cases of children unintentionally eating edible cannabis products and requiring hospital admission. In many cases, these products were unregulated, looked almost identical to popular brands of candy, and contained many more milligrams of THC than approved by Health Canada. While cannabis use is legal in Canada, there are many products available on the market that are unregulated, meaning that they do not come from an authorized provincial or territorial retailer. The effects of cannabis on a child are much more variable than the effects seen in adults. Any ingestion of cannabis in a child can cause serious harm.

Learn more about cannabis and how to keep your family safe here