Cannabis can be dangerous when used by youth for any period of time. Cannabis is addictive and can have negative impacts both mentally, and physically. Although many individuals use cannabis as a way to cope with their stress, anxiety and other mental health struggles, there are other safer ways to handle these struggles.

When you look into cannabis use in Canada among youth, from both before and after legalization, there are many reasons why youth may be interested trying cannabis products. As a young person, you may face many external pressures that might influence you to try using cannabis. Many youth see cannabis as a way to “improve or intensify mood, to be social, to cope with stress, or to fit in” (Health Canada, 2018). Before choosing to use cannabis, however, it is important to look into the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The physical health effects of cannabis for youth include many impacts on the brain during its development that can affect mental function throughout life. There is risk of developing a dependence to cannabis as well as a higher risk for other substance use disorders (Grant and Bélanger, 2017). Youth who use cannabis regularly also have a higher risk of starting to use, and becoming addicted to tobacco cigarettes (Grant and Bélanger, 2017). In addition, studies have shown increased rates of mental illness, including depression, anxiety and psychosis as well as diminished school performance and lifetime achievement with regular cannabis use (Grant and Bélanger, 2017). These risks increase the younger a person is when they start to use cannabis.

When it comes to cannabis smoking, there are negative impacts on the lungs and respiratory system, which are similar to what you would develop by using tobacco products. Even though it sometimes seems like cannabis may be better for you because it is more natural, cannabis smoke contains harmful chemicals that can cause irritation and damage to the airway, and result in a range of symptoms including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, excess mucous, chest tightness, and worsening of asthma symptoms (Valleriana et al., 2021). Cannabis smoke puts your body at risk, but that is not the only area that is impacted.

Although there are significant physical impacts for youth and the developing brain, there are also many mental health risks. Cannabis is often presented as a way to help you with your mental health struggles like stress and anxiety, but for teens who start using cannabis early, use it regularly and continuously over time are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, psychosis, and schizophrenia (Health Canada, 2018). There are other concerns for those who use cannabis recreationally, such as reduced academic performance, reduced participation and interest in extracurricular activities, withdrawal from their usual peer groups and conflict with family (Grant et al., 2017).

Sometimes it seems like mental health struggles are overwhelming, and many youth find themselves searching for a solution to relieve some of the stress of the outside world. Cannabis products may relieve some stress and allow relaxation, but research has shown that excessive cannabis use can lead to more mental health problems and can actually worsen symptoms of anxiety, panic, and nervousness (Health Canada, 2018). There are many supports out there for mental health if you are in need and want to take a route that does not include self-medication.

Healthcare providers can meet with you to discuss how you are feeling and then can offer something to help you handle your struggles with mental health. If you are interested in counselling, seeing a therapist would allow you to talk about what is bothering you. Therapists offer help without judgement and improve your ability to work through difficult thoughts and emotions. If you are not ready to speak with a therapist or healthcare provider (which is normal because it’s hard to open up a lot of the time), there are many apps out there that you can simply download and use to focus on grounding yourself, meditating, tracking your moods and your sleep schedule, and so much more. If this is something that you think would help, here is a small sample of the apps out there that focus on mental health, sleep, meditation, as well as online counselling:

• Calm: Sleep, Meditate, Relax
• Headspace: Meditation & Sleep
• Oak: Meditation and Breathing
• The Mindfulness App
• Sanvello: Anxiety and Depression
• Happy Not Perfect: Mind Gym

Sometimes it is easier to talk to an outside source, which is where therapy or counselling can be helpful, but there are other times when speaking with a trusted adult may help you to feel more comfortable. The outlook on cannabis is always changing so having a conversation about cannabis use with a caregiver, relative or teacher may feel like a big deal, especially if you both are feeling uncomfortable and awkward with starting the conversation.

As one of these trusted adults, it’s important that these conversations are not just a one off, they should be ongoing, open, and non-judgmental, since it can be difficult for many youth to feel comfortable opening-up (Valleriana et al., 2021). In order to have an open and honest conversation, trusted adults should include both the evidence-based risks and benefits of cannabis use and prioritize young people’s agency and decision-making capabilities, as well as assist youth in understanding the impacts of cannabis use (Valleriana et al., 2021). By discussing both the positive and negative sides of cannabis use, it provides more information for the youth consider when it comes time to make their decision. Presenting the positives of cannabis use are also important because it helps inform youth that cannabis is not always bad and there are many circumstance where cannabis use can be helpful. The media often stigmatizes people who use cannabis or other drugs so it’s important to teach youth to have open-minds and be considerate of others’ situations. Effective ways to promote open dialogue include asking open-ended questions and using language that is accessible and straightforward (Valleriana et al., 2021).

It is no coincidence that the baby boomer generation, who grew up with more exposure to recreational cannabis use, are now the fastest growing group of cannabis users in Canada (Stathokostas, 2020). This history combined with the recent legalization of cannabis and the growing recognition of its medicinal uses can explain the increase in cannabis use among older adults (Stathokostas, 2020).

The population of older adults who are using cannabis is extremely diverse, as are the reasons for their cannabis use. Older adults who use cannabis often fall into one of three categories: 1) individuals who have used cannabis throughout their life; 2) individuals who used in their early life and are now using again and; 3) people who only start using later in life (Stathokostas, 2020). So regardless of when you started, you are not alone! While the majority of older adults use cannabis for medical reasons, the number of older adults who are using cannabis for recreational purposes is growing. Whatever the reason for using, older adults are also more likely to acquire cannabis legally. Since recreational cannabis use became legal in 2018 in Canada, it is readily available and does not require a prescription. In addition to having easily accessible cannabis for recreational reasons, it is much safer to access cannabis legally. There are two ways to access cannabis safely and legally: 1) through a prescription and; 2) through a government-approved vendor (this may be a government-run retail store or a private dispensary in-person or online). If purchasing in-store you should look for a sign that the store is approved by the federal government. Find out where to buy regulated cannabis products in your province/territory

Additionally, legal cannabis products with more than 0.3% THC have an excise stamp on the package with each province and territory having a different colour stamp (Active Aging Canada, 2021).

Either way you acquire it, purchasing legally ensures that you know what is in your cannabis. Knowing what is in your cannabis including the concentration of THC helps you to consume safely. The Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health (CCSMH, 2020) recommends the following tips for safe use:

• Buy from a regulated source!
• Even if using recreationally, you should discuss your cannabis use with a healthcare provider.
• Make sure you read the label carefully and pay close attention to the THC concentration.
• Start with a low THC content (ideally less than 10%) and increase slowly!
• Start with a low amount and give yourself some time to feel the effects (it could happen quickly or slowly)!

There are many ways to use cannabis but the most common preparation of cannabis for older adults includes: 1) smoking; 2) topical (on your skin); and 3) edibles (Stathokostas, 2020). Have fun exploring what’s out there and find the methods that work best for you!

Regardless of the method you choose and your motivator (medicinal or recreational reasons), there is growing recognition that cannabis use may include the following health benefits:

• Improved quality of life;
• Pain relief;
• Increasing your appetite and weight gain;
• Reducing nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy;
• Reducing muscle spasms due to multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury;
• Encouraging sleep; and
• Helping with depression and anxiety (Active Aging Canada, 2021; CCSA, 2020; CCMSH, 2020).

Keep in mind that while there is growing evidence on the health benefits of cannabis, we still have a lot to learn. The best way to have fun and stay safe while using cannabis is to speak with your healthcare provider.

It is important to consider that our body and mind functions slow down as we age and some of these changes impact how cannabis (THC and CBD) are processed in the body. For example:

• Lower kidney function can affect how cannabis clears out of the body.
• Smoking or vaping cannabis can make symptoms of poor lung health or disease worse.
• A slower digestive system and reduced liver functioning can affect how the body processes and removes cannabis from the body.
• Muscles, bones, and sensory functions (vision, hearing and smell) can increase the risk of falls or injuries. This risk is higher when using THC because it is impairing (Ottawa Public Health, 2021).

Additionally, smoking cannabis can increase your heart rate and affect your blood pressure. Therefore, for those with a heart condition, this increases your chances of having a cardiac event such as arrhythmia, angina, heart attack or stroke. Cannabis can also lead to fainting and increase risk of falls due to its effect on blood pressure (Ottawa Public Health, 2021).

While some older adults may use cannabis to cope with loneliness, isolation, depression or loss that many experience as they age, using cannabis to cope could increase mental health problems (Ottawa Public Health, 2021). Using cannabis regularly can lead to cannabis use disorder or dependence which makes cutting back or stopping use difficult. If you have a family history of mental illnesses such as psychosis or schizophrenia, using cannabis can increase your chances of also experiencing these illnesses. Consuming too much THC at one time can lead to temporary psychosis, symptoms may include: paranoia, delusions and hallucinations (Ottawa Public Health, 2021).

Cannabis can affect how other prescriptions and over-the-counter medications work. If you are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications, it is important to talk to your health care provider or pharmacist to understand better, how cannabis use may interact with your other medications (Active Aging Canada, 2021; Ontario Public Health, 2021). They will need to know what cannabis products you are using and how much you are taking; this is why it is important to use legal products with accurate information on the label (Active Aging Canada, 2021).

Cannabis affects the same parts or your brain that show age-related changes (Active Aging Canada, 2021), and it impacts how we think, feel and act. This may include feeling high, having difficulty concentrating, slower reaction time and twisted perception. These changes can be felt between 6 to 12 hours, depending on the amount of THC and how it was consumed. These changes increase the risk of injuries and make it unsafe to drive (Ontario Public Health, 2021). Learn more about Cannabis and Driving Laws.

While we do know that ongoing use of THC can cause problems with how your brain functions, including mental abilities such as memory, concentration, thinking and decision making (Ontario Public Health, 2021), we are still not sure if cannabis increases age-related mental decline (Active Aging Canada, 2021).