07/11/2024
Canada's Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines 🇨🇦
Although cannabis is sometimes perceived as a relatively safe drug, it has multiple, well-documented risks to both immediate and long-term health.
However, most of these adverse health outcomes are concentrated among those who consume cannabis in high-risk ways, and the likelihood or severity of adverse outcomes can be modified through informed choices.
The main objective of Canada’s Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines (LRCUG) is to provide science-based recommendations to enable people to reduce their health risks associated with cannabis use, similar to the intent of health-oriented guidelines for low-risk drinking, nutrition or sexual behaviour.
1. The most effective way to avoid the risks of cannabis use is to abstain from use.
2. Delaying cannabis use, at least until after adolescence, will reduce the likelihood or severity of adverse health outcomes.
3. Use products with low THC content and high CBD: THC ratios.
4. Synthetic cannabis products, such as K2 and Spice, should be avoided.
5. Avoid smoking burnt cannabis and choose safer inhalation methods including vaporizers, e-cigarette devices and edibles.
6. If cannabis is smoked, avoid harmful practices such as inhaling deeply or breath-holding.
7. Avoid frequent or intensive use, and limit consumption to occasional use, such as only one day a week or on weekends, or less.
8. Do not drive or operate other machinery for at least 6 hours after using cannabis. Combining alcohol and cannabis increases impairment and should be avoided.
9. People with a personal or family history of psychosis or substance use disorders, as well as pregnant women, should NOT use cannabis at all.
10. Avoid combining any of the risk factors related to cannabis use. Multiple high-risk behaviours will amplify the likelihood or severity of adverse outcomes.
Fischer, B., Russell, C., Sabioni, P., van den Brink, W., Le Foll, B., Hall, W., Rehm, J. & Room, R. (2017). Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines (LRCUG): A Comprehensive Update of Evidence and Recommendations. American Journal of Public Health, 107(8). DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2017.303818.
