Cannabis (Marijuana)

What is cannabis?

Cannabis is the name of a family of plants that contain hundreds of chemical substances. Over 100 of these are known as cannabinoids, including the chemical delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). The most common forms of cannabis are marijuana and hashish (hash).

What does cannabis do to you?

Cannabis affects people differently. It can make you feel happy, relaxed and talkative. You may have unpleasant effects such as:

• Confusion
• Sleepiness
• Anxiety, fear or panic
• Psychotic episodes - paranoia, delusions, hallucinations

Cannabis can be harmful to your mental and physical health, especially if you use:

• At an early age
• Often, such as every day or almost everyday
• A large amount
• With other drugs, like tobacco or alcohol
• Higher THC level products

Using cannabis can:

• Change the way your brain grows and develops.
• Increase the risk for mental illnesses, like schizophrenia and psychosis - especially if you start using at a young age or have a family member with these illnesses.
• Cause addiction - the chance increases when you use as a teen.
• Cause lung problems - cannabis smoke has many of the same chemicals as tobacco smoke.
• Impair your ability to drive safely – check out canada.ca/dontdrivehigh for information on impaired driving.

How can I reduce my risk?

Not using cannabis is the best way to avoid the effects on your health.

If you are planning to use cannabis, try to delay until you are older and follow these tips to lower your risk:

• Limit how often you use, e.g. no more than once a week.
• Don’t smoke it. If you are planning to smoke cannabis, take short breaths and exhale right away.
• Choose lower risk products, e.g. vaping.
• Don’t use synthetic cannabinoids.
• Don’t use with alcohol or tobacco.
• Don’t use if you are planning to drive.
• Don’t use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Don’t use if you are at risk for mental illness
• Avoid combining the risks, e.g. smoking cannabis regularly.

What will the laws be when cannabis is legal? 

Cannabis use is still illegal. Ottawa Public Health is monitoring for the federal and provincial legislation.

Take a look at Ontario’s plans for legal cannabis at ontario.ca/cannabis. 

Where can I go for help?

Try this quiz to see where you are at with cannabis.
If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, there are places where you can turn to.

If you are in high school:

• Talk to an adult you trust – a family member, teacher, or an adult in the community.
• Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services - 613-724-4881
• Kids Help Phone - 1-800-668-6868
• Ottawa Addiction Access and Referral Services - 613-241-5202 (16+)

If you are 18+:

• Ottawa Addiction Access and Referral Services - 613-241-5202
• Drug and Alcohol Helpline - 1-800-565-8603