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Health Effects
What is cannabis?
- Cannabis is a greenish or brownish material consisting of the dried flowering, fruiting tops and leaves of the Cannabis Sativa
- Cannabis is known by many names including marijuana, weed, hash – and others.
- Cannabis is most often smoked in a “joint”, water pipe or “bong” where the smoke is drawn through water to cool it and filter out small particles before inhaling. It can also be vaporized in an e-cigarette or consumed in edible products.
Who is using cannabis?
- Canada has among the highest cannabis use rates in the world
- About 11% of all Canadians aged 15 and older have used cannabis at least once in the past year.
- In a 2013 report, about 28% of those who used cannabis in the past three months, used it every day or almost every day.
- The use of cannabis is generally higher among youth. The rate of past year use in 2013 was more than three times higher among Canadian youth aged 15-24 years (24.4%) compared to adults (8.0%)
- The rate of cannabis use is higher among males, but use among females is on the rise
High on cannabis – what does that mean?
Cannabis affects people in different ways. Symptoms of “being high” on cannabis include feeling happy, relaxed, increased sociability and heightened sensation, decreased attention span, increased heart rate, slowed reaction times, trouble with thinking and problem solving and a lack of a sense of time. Symptoms can last several hours and sometimes less enjoyable symptoms like nervousness and paranoia can be expected. These effects may be even greater when cannabis is mixed with other drugs or alcohol.
Immediate and long term health effects By consuming cannabis, you can experience unpleasant and unwanted short and long term negative effects on your brain and body, some of which may not be reversible. Short-term effects on the brain and body include: Long-term effects on the brain and body include: Increased risk to lung health including bronchitis, lung infections, chronic cough, increased mucus build up in the throat Lower your risk by adhering to Canada’s Lower Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines… Follow the links to find out more about how cannabis can affect your short and long term health Short and long term effects on the brain and body Continued, frequent, and heavy cannabis use can cause physical dependence and lead to addiction. Problematic behaviours can include some or all of the following: If you or someone you know is struggling from a cannabis addiction, help is available. Refer to the “Community Resources” page on this site. Cannabis Use and Pregnancy Figure 1. Clearing the Smoke on Cannabis-Maternal Cannabis Use during Pregnancy If you are experiencing problems stopping your recreational cannabis use during pregnancy, seek help from your health care provider. Visit the links below for more information on cannabis use during pregnancy. Clearing the Smoke on Cannabis-Maternal Cannabis Use during Pregnancy Cannabis Use and Driving Health Canada: Don’t Drive High Campaign Get to know the facts about cannabis and drug-impaired driving, follow the links for more information. #dontdrivehigh Cannabis, Alcohol Use and Driving The use of cannabis alone is enough to impair judgement. When mixed with alcohol the level of intoxication and impairment can be unpredictable and lead to a greater likelihood of negative physical and psychological side effects. The use of both alcohol and cannabis before driving can greatly increase the already high risk of getting into a car accident. Don’t drink and drive, don’t drive high.
Health Effects of cannabis use
Clearing the Smoke on Cannabis-Report
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Risks of Cannabis on Fertility, Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Parenting
Women and Marijuana
The Facts about Drug-Impaired Driving
Clearing the Smoke on Cannabis: Cannabis Use and Driving
Cost of Cannabis Collisions in Canada
Eggs on Weed video