uc – Diversity Liaisons

Understanding Cannabis

Resources

Contents provided by: Community Health Promotion Services (CHPS) Child & Adolescent Addiction, Mental Health & Psychiatry Program

Information on this page can be downloaded as a handout.

What is Cannabis?

Cannabis is a plant
Can be used in many forms

THC : Tetrahydrocannabinol is the main psychoactive chemical

CBD : Cannabidiol is another chemical that may have some medical benefits

Medical Cannabis

Chronic nerve pain, palliative care, nausea/vomiting form chemotherapy and spasticity from multiple sclerosis
Do not need to feel high
Do not help for anxiety, other nausea/vomiting or pain conditions

How is Cannabis used?

by smoking

by eating

topical

How does it make you feel?

Time distortion
Calm/relaxed feeling
Increased appetite and heart rate
Cognitive impairment

You may say or do things you wouldn’t normally
Increased senses
Followed by depressant period
May experience anxiety or paranoia

Who use Cannabis?

What are the health effect of Cannabis?

Effects on the Body

Damage to lungs
Second-hand smoke can be harmful
Use while pregnant and breastfeeding can cause harm to the baby

Effects on the Brain

Short Term

Confusion, slower reaction time, anxiety, fear or panic
Can affect memory, learning and attention

Long Term

Can affect ability to make decisions, personality and ability to achieve goals

For people under 25

Brain is still developing
Can have lasting impacts for life

Developing Brain

Can affect attention, judgment, decision making and ability to learn
Changes the way one think, act and feel can have impacts on major life areas
Can lead to poor performance in school and drop out

Effects – Mental Health

Increased risk for mental illness, depression or anxiety
If there is family history, avoid using

Credits: Cannabis Information and Support You Tube Channel

Side effects

Very Common (10-30%)	Common (1-10%)	Uncommon but serious (<1%)
Intensely happy or uneasy	Impaired memory	Intense vomiting
Sedation or relaxation	Confusion	Loss of motivation
Difficulty speaking	Blurred vision
Numbness	Visual hallucination
Disconnected thoughts	Loss of touch with reality or self
Muscle twitching	Problematic use
Changes in heart rate
Changes in blood pressure

Overdose

Can cause toxic effects
If combined, the risk increases
Signs of poisoning include:
1. Change in heart rate
2. Extreme nausea or vomiting
3. Anxiety
4. Extreme confusion
5. Panic attacks or paranoia
6. Seizures

Cannabis Laws

So why youth use substances?

Curiosity
Fun seeking
Peers – fitting in
To look more mature
To assert their independence
To escape problems or fill gaps or cover feelings
Lack of alternative coping skills
Family or community norm

Talk to your child – early and openly about cannabis

What can we do?

Stay connected
Talk about it
Be positive
Focus on safety
Be informed
Be supportive
Be an example

Keep the conversation going

Connect and encourage
Remind and repeat
Share facts and resources

Download a cannabis talk kit

Reduce your Risk

Start using later in life
Choose low-strength product, lower THC or higher CBD
Do not use synthetic cannabis
Smoking is the most harmful way
Avoid inhaling deeply
Try to limit your use

Resources

Alberta Health Services Addiction Helpline

1-866-332-2322
The Addiction and Mental Health Help Line is a 24 hour, 7 day a week confidential service that provides support, information and referrals to Albertans experiencing addiction and mental health concerns, including problem gambling.

Poison and Drug Information Service (PADIS)

1-800-332-1414
Poison & Drug Information Service (PADIS) offers free and confidential telephone advice 24/7 to the public and health care professionals on poisons, chemicals, medicines, and herbal supplements.

Services may include:
– emergency advice about poisonings
– drug information for healthcare providers
– poison education and prevention
For more information visit the Poison & Drug Information Service

Poison Centre
What to do when you call:
– Have the poison container with you when you call
– Be prepared to answer important questions
– Listen carefully to instructions
– Ask the Information Specialist to repeat anything you don’t understand
– Follow the Information Specialist’s advice

What to expect when you call:
– Information Specialists will want to know:
– name
– gender
– weight
– what was swallowed
– how much was swallowed
– information from the container label
– if you’ve had anything to eat or drink since swallowing the poison

Kids Help Phone

1-800-668-6868
Online and telephone counselling and support in English and French
www.kidshelpphone.ca

More information / websites

– Drug safe website : trusted source for Albertans to find vital information on reducing the harm of alcohol and other drugs.
They have excellent resources on all the facts, resources to help parents to talk to their children, and even for youth to learn more.

– Government of Alberta resources on cannabis and laws

Health Link Alberta 811

Free, 24/7 Health information and advices by nurses over the phone.

Information on this page can be downloaded as a handout. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Disclaimer: This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an “as is”, “where is” basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use. Last updated October 2022.