Cannabis Facts & Stats

There has been plenty of research conducted on THC and its effects on our bodies. THC is responsible for the high and intoxicating effects of cannabis on your brain and body. It has both therapeutic effects and harmful effects, but the harmful effects may be greater when the strength of THC is higher. Some physiological effects of THC might include:

• Drowsiness
• Appetite stimulation
• Paranoia
• Anxiety
• Impaired judgement/coordination
• Pain relief
• Relaxant
• Psycho-activity

Importantly, the effects of THC can differ between each individual and uniquely impact the way they think and feel.

Unlike THC, CBD has no psycho-active properties, meaning it does not produce a high or intoxicating feeling. Instead, there is some evidence to suggest that CBD may even block some of the effects of THC on the mind, particularly when the ratio of CBD is much higher than THC. Some physiological effects of CBD might include:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Reduced nausea
• Anti-tumoral
• Neuroprotection
• Non psycho-activity

People can have very different experiences with cannabis. Some may feel relaxed, lively, talkative, giggly and even euphoric, while others feel tense, anxious, fearful and confused. The kind of experience you may have can vary from one use to the next, so it is important to start low, go slow to avoid risks of overconsumption. How cannabis affects you depends on:

• How much is used
• How often and how long you’ve used it
• Whether it is smoked, vaped or eaten
• Mood, expectations and the environment you’re in
• Age, sex and weight
• Certain pre-existing medical or psychiatric conditions
• Whether it’s been taken with any alcohol or other drugs (illegal, prescription, over-the-counter or herbal)

Depending on the type of cannabis product used, the physical effects can include any of the following: 

• Red eyes
• Dry mouth and throat
• Irritated respiratory system (if smoking)
• Increases in appetite and heart rate
• Decreases in blood pressure, balance and stability
• Drowsiness or restlessness, depending on the amount taken and individual response to the drug

Cannabis has also been used for the treatment of symptoms of certain medical conditions in Canada for several years. The therapeutic uses of cannabis are associated with its ability to regulate and manage:

• Nausea (e.g., for chemotherapy patients)
• Appetite
• Pain (e.g., for people living with multiple sclerosis, cancer-related pain or chronic pain that is not cancer-related)
• Depressed mood and insomnia 

The following health risks are possible for anyone who uses cannabis heavily or regularly:

• Problems with thinking, memory or physical co-ordination
• Impairment, which can lead to serious injuries, including those from motor-vehicle accidents
• Hallucinations, such as seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling or feeling things that do not really exist
• Mental health problems, specifically if you or an immediate family member has had a mental health issue, like psychosis or an addiction to alcohol or other drugs
• Cannabis dependence
• Breathing or lung problems from smoking
• Cancer from smoking
• Problems during or after pregnancy

There are ways in which you can reduce the risks associated with using cannabis:

• Avoid regular use to reduce the negative effects cannabis can have on the brain and body
• Consider using edibles, oils or topicals instead of smoking
• Avoid tobacco as mixing agent
• Keep bongs and pipes clean, avoid plastic bottles due to toxic fumes
• Consider a vaporizer which stops combustion and reduces tar and carcinogens
• Avoid operating machinery, driving or swimming
• Try to avoid inhaling too deeply or holding your breath while smoking
• Avoid illegal cannabis products  and synthetic cannabinoid products such as K2 or Spice 

Canada’s Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines provides some suggestions on how to safely use cannabis products for non-medical purposes. The kind of experience you may have can vary from one use to the next and between different products, so it is important to start low, go slow to avoid risks of overconsumption.

Learn more about Canada's Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines here

• Busting myths & helpful information on cannabis impaired driving infographic (Interior Health)
• Cannabis in Canada (Government of Canada)
• About Cannabis (Government of Canada)
• Canada's Lower Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines (Canadian Mental Health Association)
• Canada's Lower Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines for Youth (Canadian Mental Health Association)
• Cannabis Resources (First Nations Health Authority)
• Safer Cannabis Use (Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research)
• Choosing Cannabis - YouTube (Ontario Cannabis)
• Minimizing Your Risk Using Cannabis Accessories (Government of Canada)