Lower-Risk Use

Consider the time and place before you consume cannabis. For example, if you are experiencing negative feelings before consuming, cannabis could make those feelings even worse. Make sure you have a safe ride home, and are with people you trust before consuming cannabis.

If you are planning to use, follow these tips to help you make a responsible choice:  

Start low. Go slow.

Different cannabis products and the way you use it can have different effects.  Use products with low THC and an equal or higher amount of CBD. If you are smoking or vaping, start with 1 or 2 puffs of 10% (100mg/g) THC or less.

Source: Ontario Cannabis Store

Edible products can have up to 10 mg THC per package. Start with 2.5 mg THC or less.

After you use, wait to feel the effects. Use this chart as a guide:

Source: Government of Canada

Find out more: www.canada.ca.  

Go easy on your lungs.

Ingesting or vaping cannabis are less harmful than smoking, but be aware that these may have their own risks.

If you vape, monitor yourself for symptoms of lung (pulmonary) illness such as cough, shortness of breath and chest pain. Seek medical attention if you have concerns about your health. Be sure to indicate to your health care professional that you currently vape, or have in the past, and what you were vaping. Only dried cannabis is legally available for use with a vaporizer.

If you choose to ingest cannabis (e.g. edibles, oils), review the Start Low. Go Slow section for more information.

Obtain cannabis from legal sources. Products from illegal or unregulated sources, are not subject to any controls for safety or quality.

If you smoke cannabis, avoid inhaling deeply or holding your breath.

Secure your stash.

Keep cannabis products in its original packaging and in a locked place that is out of reach, and out of sight of children or pets.

If you or your child has accidentally consumed drugs or medication, contact the Ontario Poison Control Centre at 1-800-268-9017. Cannabis poisoning in babies and children is a medical emergency.

Symptoms of cannabis poisoning in children include:

• Changes in mood such as confusion
• Agitation or sleepiness
• Changes in appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Balance problems and difficulty breathing

Call 9-1-1 if your child is ill and/or has difficulty breathing.

Stick to one drug at a time - leave tobacco out of the mix too.

Using more than one drug at a time can lead to unpredictable changes to how you think, feel and act. Tobacco contains nicotine that also has addictive qualities and can make it hard to cut down or quit.

Plan a safe ride.

The effects of using cannabis can last 6 to 12 hours. Plan a safe ride with a sober friend, use OC transpo, Lyft, Uber, or a taxi.

Share with care.

Try to avoid sharing joints and equipment with other people to reduce your risk of sharing germs and infections. If you are sharing, try to find ways to avoid direct contact where someone else’s mouth has been.

Have more cannabis free days.

Regular use can increase the negative effects on your mind and body. Limit your cannabis use to one day a week at most.