There is a lot about cannabis that we still don\u2019t know. After decades of illegality, Canada is only the second country in the world to fully legalize it. Discussions have centered around it being \u201cless dangerous\u201d than alcohol, but there are still concerns regarding the use of the drug, especially where young people are concerned. Here\u2019s what you need to know about cannabis safety.<\/p>\n
Cannabis contains hundreds of chemical compounds, but the two you\u2019ve likely heard about the most are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the psychoactive part of the drug \u2014 the part that makes you feel \u201chigh.\u201d CBD isn\u2019t psychotropic, and has many different therapeutic uses attributed to it. New research suggests<\/a> CBD can actually\u00a0counter the effects of THC. This means users experience less impairment consuming strains where CBD content is higher than THC.<\/p>\n Marijuana affects each person differently, and the experience can vary dramatically depending on small environmental changes. Smoking cannabis alone in your backyard for example, might be enjoyable. That same joint at a party with a group of strangers however, could leave you feeling terrible. Individual physiology, THC and CBD levels in the drug, the method of consumption, and whether you have ingested additional substances, can also alter the experience. Anyone with a pre-existing medical condition<\/a> should consult with their doctor before taking cannabis, as physiological effects can include decreased blood pressure<\/a> causing fainting, and increased heart rate.<\/p>\n In short, no. But measuring the potency of individual strains of cannabis is currently\u00a0an issue. The federal government has convened a task force to make recommendations on whether there should be limits on the amount of THC in products, but they have yet to make suggestions. And a recent Marketplace investigation<\/a> found that labels stating the percentage of THC and CBD were widely inaccurate. Given that higher levels of THC have been correlated with an increased risk<\/a> of psychotic episodes, consumers must be aware of the potential, though unlikely, harm.<\/p>\n In addition to the unpleasant short-term effects associated with a \u201cbad trip,\u201d consuming cannabis can also cause long-term issues. Despite persistent urban legend, marijuana can<\/a> be addictive. Long-term use can lead to memory and attentional difficulties\u00a0as well. Over time, regular use of cannabis can even cause a decline in intellectual abilities<\/a>. The effects become more widespread the more you use, the younger you start, and the longer you use the drug. And some of these effects appear to be permanent.<\/p>\n Across the country, age requirements for legal consumption vary between 18 or 19 years of age. Research has shown, however, that the part of the brain which governs skills like self-management and impulse control, the prefrontal cortex, continues developing<\/a> into the mid-twenties. As marijuana can negatively affect this region of the brain, youth should be wary of using it until age 25 at least.<\/p>\n Despite what the internet might tell you, marijuana is not a reasonable remedy for morning sickness. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada has been explicit in its condemnation<\/a> of this. Pregnant women should not consume marijuana as it is correlated with reduced birth weight. It can also negatively affect a child\u2019s attentional abilities and executive functioning later on in life. Breastfeeding mothers should also abstain, as THC transfers to their children through breastmilk.<\/p>\n Driving high doesn\u2019t make you a better driver. A recent survey<\/a> of individuals who had used marijuana in the last year, showed that many of them admitted to doing so and then driving. This despite clear evidence that\u00a0response time<\/a>\u00a0is slowed while under the influence of cannabis. The Canadian Public Health Association released guidelines<\/a> cautioning drivers against driving for a minimum of six hours after smoking marijuana. Individuals who consume edibles<\/a> should not drive for at least eight hours afterwards, though in both cases they might no longer feel \u201chigh\u201d after a period of as little as one to two hours.<\/p>\n Despite its legality, marijuana, like alcohol, is undoubtedly a drug, and its effects can vary widely from person to person. If you are going to partake, make sure you know the risks. And as always, if you\u2019re at all unsure, talk to your doctor.<\/p>\n The information presented here is for educational purposes and is not meant to replace the advice from your medical professional.<\/i><\/i><\/p>\n When using virtual care, all medical treatment is at the sole discretion of the provider. Virtual care is not meant for medical emergencies, and your provider will determine if your case is appropriate for virtual care. If you are experiencing an emergency like chest pain or difficulties breathing, for example, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There is a lot about cannabis that we still don\u2019t know. After decades of illegality, Canada is only the second country in the world to fully legalize it. Discussions have centered around it being \u201cless dangerous\u201d than alcohol, but there are still concerns regarding the use of the drug, especially where young people are concerned.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":2495,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[7378],"tags":[],"acf":{"image":{"ID":2495,"id":2495,"title":"Blog - 10.17 - Cannabis","filename":"Blog-10.17-Cannabis.jpg","filesize":581073,"url":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Blog-10.17-Cannabis.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/blog\/cannabis-is-legal-now-but-does-that-mean-its-safe\/blog-10-17-cannabis\/","alt":"","author":"7","description":"","caption":"","name":"blog-10-17-cannabis","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2427,"date":"2018-10-15 20:45:12","modified":"2019-10-03 17:56:22","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":2880,"height":1180,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Blog-10.17-Cannabis-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Blog-10.17-Cannabis-300x123.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":123,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Blog-10.17-Cannabis-768x315.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":315,"large":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Blog-10.17-Cannabis-1024x420.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":420,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Blog-10.17-Cannabis.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":629,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Blog-10.17-Cannabis.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":839,"square1200":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Blog-10.17-Cannabis.jpg","square1200-width":1200,"square1200-height":492,"square600":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Blog-10.17-Cannabis.jpg","square600-width":600,"square600-height":246,"square300":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Blog-10.17-Cannabis-300x300.jpg","square300-width":300,"square300-height":300,"square200":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Blog-10.17-Cannabis-200x200.jpg","square200-width":200,"square200-height":200,"square100":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Blog-10.17-Cannabis-100x100.jpg","square100-width":100,"square100-height":100,"feature1200":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Blog-10.17-Cannabis-1200x600.jpg","feature1200-width":1200,"feature1200-height":600,"feature1100":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Blog-10.17-Cannabis-1100x500.jpg","feature1100-width":1100,"feature1100-height":500,"feature800":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Blog-10.17-Cannabis-800x400.jpg","feature800-width":800,"feature800-height":400,"feature400":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Blog-10.17-Cannabis-400x200.jpg","feature400-width":400,"feature400-height":200,"facebook1200":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Blog-10.17-Cannabis-1200x630.jpg","facebook1200-width":1200,"facebook1200-height":630,"medium_retina":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Blog-10.17-Cannabis.jpg","medium_retina-width":1200,"medium_retina-height":492,"large_retina":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Blog-10.17-Cannabis.jpg","large_retina-width":2360,"large_retina-height":967}},"intro_text":"","meta_description":"Cannabis is legal, but that doesn't mean it's for everyone. Here's what you need to know about the health implications. ","add_promotional_banner":false,"add_call_to_action":false,"call_to_action_text":"Ontario resident in need of a cannabis prescription?","call_to_action_button_text":"Learn more about our medical cannabis specialists","call_to_action_link":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/providers\/cannabis-consultation-prescription\/","show_age_gate":false},"yoast_head":"\nWhat are the effects?<\/h2>\n
Is all pot created equal?<\/h2>\n
Are there long-term risks?<\/h2>\n
Is it safe for teenagers?<\/h2>\n
Can cannabis cure morning sickness?<\/h2>\n
What about smoking and driving?<\/h2>\n