Talking with Your Clients: Health Effects and Safer Use

KEY TALKING POINTS AND RESOURCES TO HELP YOU
IN CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUR CLIENTS

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HEALTH EFFECTS OF CANNABIS

• Legal does not mean safe.
• Cannabis use is an individual choice but it does come with risks.
• Some individuals are more vulnerable to harm and should NOT use (i.e., if under 25, pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a history of mental illness or addiction).
• Just like alcohol or tobacco, cannabis has chemicals that can affect our brain and bodies and cause immediate, long-term, or  permanent health issues, such as:
  • Brain function - confusion, hallucinations, sleepiness, poor focus, memory/learning problems and poor coordination.
  • Mental health - depression, anxiety, paranoia, schizophrenia, psychotic episodes (e.g., confusion, distorted reality, panic), and addiction.
  • Physical health - fast heart rate, low blood pressure/possible fainting, and uncontrollable vomiting. Smoking cannabis may cause chronic cough, lung infection, lung disease, and cardiovascular issues (e.g., chest tightness, heart attack, heart disease).
• Harms increase with daily use, higher THC % products (i.e., greater than 10%), and use under age 25.
• Cannabis smoke has several of the same harmful toxins, cancer causing compounds, and irritants found in tobacco smoke. Limit cannabis smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.

Is Cannabis Harmful to My Health? (WECHU, 2018)

SAFER USE METHODS

• The safest option is to NOT use cannabis
• Delay using cannabis until after age 25
• Choose low THC% products (under 10%)
• Don’t use often. (use once per week or less)
• Don’t use synthetic products like K2/spice
• Avoid smoking cannabis or harmful smoking practices (e.g., breath-holding, deep inhalation)
• Don’t mix with alcohol or tobacco
• Don’t use cannabis before driving
• Don’t use if pregnant or breastfeeding

Canada’s Lower Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines brochure (CAMH, 2018)
10 Ways to Reduce Risks When Using Cannabis poster and postcard (CAMH, 2018)

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS (THC/CBD) AND ALTERNATIVE METHODS TO SMOKING

• Cannabis products differ in their type, level of active ingredients, and effects on the brain and body. The main active ingredients are THC and CBD.
• “Start low, go slow” with ANY product (i.e., low concentration of THC, small amount of product).
• Keep edibles and other cannabis products securely stored and away from children and pets.

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol): Psychoactive,mind-altering, intoxicating chemical. Makes users feel “high” .

• Affects mental state, emotions, and behaviour
• Higher THC% products can cause long-term damage to brain function and mental health.

CBD (cannabidiol): Does not give users a “high”/intoxicating effect.

• High CBD potency products can reduce the effects of THC.

Edibles, oils, and capsules: Peak effects can be delayed from 2-4 hours. Start with a small amount and wait at least 2 hours before consuming any more to avoid overconsuming and a possible bad reaction.

Cannabis: Your Questions Answered – What is Cannabis? website (WECHU, 2018)

ANSWERING QUESTIONS ABOUT MEDICAL CANNABIS

• Medical strains are typically different from non-medical (recreational) strains and have more CBD and less THC.
• Any therapeutic use should be discussed with and monitored by a healthcare provider.

Non-Medical Cannabis Resource for Primary Healthcare Providers: Ontario (CEP, 2018). Includes: Screening for cannabis use, Harm reduction and patient counselling, and Benefits/harms for patients using cannabis.

GETTING HELP WITH SUBSTANCE USE

Urgent help

• Windsor-Essex Crisis Line: 519-973-4435 (24 hour/7 days a week)
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 www.kidshelpphone.ca (phone or online chat counselling, English and French)
• If unintentional ingestion or bad reaction, call 911 or the Ontario Poison Centre: 1-800-268-9017

Find local treatment services

• Visit www.wechu.org/GetHelp: Directory of helplines and local treatment services for mental health and addictions. Can download and print a Treatment Options Brochure from this page
• Call Connex Ontario: 1-866-531-2600 www.connexontario.ca (24/7 support in 100+ languages)