Cannabis
This page is your resource for information, tips, and tools on safer cannabis use. Get informed about Ontario’s laws and learn about guidelines for reducing risk and using cannabis in the safest way possible.
Have questions? Contact the Umbrella Project!
Safer Cannabis Use Guidelines
Not using cannabis is the best way to avoid the risks to your health, especially if you are young or at risk for mental health problems. Consider waiting to use. The longer you wait to use cannabis and any other drug (including alcohol), the much less the risk. If you consider using, follow these tips:
- Have more days that are cannabis-free. Regular use can increase the negative effects on your mind and body.
- Go easy on your lungs. Cannabis smoke has many of the same harmful chemicals as tobacco smoke. Consider vaping instead. If you smoke, take short, shallow breaths and exhale right away.
- Pace yourself. Start low. Go slow. It takes seconds to minutes to feel the effects of smoking or vaping. Consider using products with low THC and some CBD.
- Stick to one drug at a time. Using more than one drug at a time can lead to unpredictable changes to how you think, feel, and act.
- Leave tobacco out of the mix. Tobacco is harmful to your health and contains nicotine, which is highly addictive. Nicotine can make it hard to cut down or quit.
- Share with care. Sharing joints, bongs, or vaporizers means you may also be sharing germs and infections from your mouth and saliva. Avoid sharing or find ways to use without direct contact to your lips.
- Plan a safe ride. Cannabis impairs your ability to drive safely. The effects can last 6 to 12 hours. Plan a ride with a sober friend, OC Transpo, Uber, Lyft, or a taxi.
Resources and Online Tools
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Information on potential risks, and suggestions for how to take care of yourself if you choose to use cannabis (PDF). |
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Reduce your risk of lung problems, mental health problems, and legal issues (PDF). |
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Canada’s Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines 10 ways to reduce risks to your health when using cannabis (PDF). |
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Get useful harm reduction tips when you try your hand at this fun game. |
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The risk for harm is greater for people under 25 and for those who use it every day or a few times a week. Click to learn more from Ottawa Public Health! |
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Always read the label. Edible cannabis products can vary in THC levels. |
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Cannabis: Inhaling vs. Ingesting To lower your risk of the harmful effects of cannabis, you need to understand the differences between the two most common ways of consuming it. |
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However you use it, cannabis is cannabis. Smoke it? Vape it? Eat it? Daily or near-daily use can affect your mental and physical health. Cannabis can impair your ability to drive safely. |
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Cannabis used with other substances can lead to negative impacts on your health. |
Ottawa Citizen: How to buy pot in Ontario: A consumer’s guide to purchasing and using legal cannabis (Information about products available through the Ontario Cannabis Store)
Cannabis Laws
Please note: Cannabis laws are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information about cannabis laws in Ontario, visit ontario.ca/cannabis.
Algonquin College has an interim smoke-free policy on campus. To learn more, visit algonquincollege.com/smokefree.
In Ontario, cannabis legalization means that:
- Cannabis can be smoked or vaped in most (but not all) places where smoking is permitted. Please note that smoking or vaping cannabis is not allowed in vehicles, boats, or near where children gather.
- 30 grams or less of cannabis can be carried or possessed by an individual
- Those 19+ may buy, possess, and/or grow recreational cannabis
- Cannabis can only be shared with anyone 19+
- Up to 4 cannabis plants may be grown in a private home (unless otherwise prohibited by Algonquin College Residence, condo rules, lease agreement, etc.)
- Purchasers can feel safe knowing the source of their cannabis. (You will be able to purchase online through the Ontario Cannabis Store and in person at licensed vendors. OCS employees will be trained to be knowledgeable about the variety of products available.)