Alberta Health Services is warning of the risks of cannabis use, April 20, 2023. (Photo: Openrangestock | Dreamstime.com)

By Tanner Smith

On 4/20, AHS reminding residents about cannabis risks

Apr 20, 2023 | 10:25 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Thursday is 4/20 and Alberta Health Services (AHS) is asking residents to educate themselves about cannabis.

AHS said it wants residents to know about the short and long-term effects of cannabis, which include:

• Short-term:
  • Dizziness, headaches and vomiting.
  • Changed mood and judgment.
  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure.
  • Red/bloodshot eyes.
  • Worsened ability to drive or operate equipment. Of those who reported use, 23 per cent have driven a vehicle within two hours of smoking cannabis at some point in their life.
• Long-term:
  • Lung damage.
  • Potential to change how a brain develops, especially if the user is under the age of 25.

AHS said cannabis contains many of the same toxins found in tobacco smoke, which also has short and long-term effects. The health agency adds that this is also true for vaping cartridges containing THC, as they come with their own risks, including harmful ingredients, vapes exploding, and lung damage.

If you do plan on consuming cannabis, including smoking or edibles, AHS provided the following recommendations:

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• Limit your use as much as possible.
• Avoid inhaling deeply or holding your breath.
• Choose products with 10 per cent (100mg/g) THC or less if smoking.
• Start with one or two puffs and wait for up to 30 minutes to feel the full effects.
• Know that the effects of inhaled cannabis can last up to six hours, with some effects lasting up to 24 hours.
• Choose products with 2.5 mg THC or less, especially if you are a new or occasional user.
• Know that it can take up to four hours to feel the full effects of cannabis consumption. Using more cannabis within that time can increase the risk of harmful effects.
• Be aware that effects can last up to 12 hours, but some effects can last up to 24 hours.

For more information about reducing the risks of cannabis use, follow Canada’s Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines, or click here.

If you are concerned about cannabis use in yourself or a loved one and need support, help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week via the Addiction Helpline, 1-866-332-2322, or by calling Health Link at 811.

If you are concerned that your child has been exposed to cannabis, call: Poison & Drug Information Service (PADIS) (toll-free 1-800-332-1414), or 911.

For more information on how cannabis can affect your ability to conceive a baby, visit Ready Or Not Alberta, and for information on Substance Use during Pregnancy, visit Healthy Parents Healthy Children.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now