GUELPH – Just because cannabis is legal doesn’t mean its users are well informed about its risks and uses.
Anna Vanderlaan, manager of health promotion with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH), said a survey completed by more than 2,000 residents over age 16 in the region, indicates “serious knowledge gaps” when it comes to cannabis use.
Vanderlaan presented her report to the board of health on March 5.
The data will be studied for further reporting, but a first look indicates a lack of knowledge in three areas.
Cannabis and pregnancy
She said there is no known safe amount of cannabis to use while pregnant, but according to the survey, “25 per cent disagreed or weren’t sure,” she said.
But the fact is that cannabis use during pregnancy can cause low birth weights, pre-term births, “and it can impact the developing brain,” Vanderlaan said, causing memory and learning problems as the baby grows.
Delayed effects of edibles
Edibles are popular but it can take a while to feel the effects, Vanderlaan said. But 43% of the respondents didn’t know that.
“It can take longer to feel the effects compared to smoking it,” she said. “But the impact is that if they feel nothing, they’ll take more. And that can cause anxiety and other negative feelings.”
“Start low and go slow” is the advice offered at public health. It can take two hours for some edibles to kick in.
Cannabis and the young brain
Youth have “plastic brains,” Vanderlaan said and cannabis use before age 25 can impact brain development.
It can lead to difficulties with thinking, problem-solving, learning, memory, coordination and maintaining attention. Yet one in three survey respondents didn’t know that.
“And 90% said they had tried cannabis before age 25. It’s really important to understand the risk before using,” she said.
This is what Vanderlaan shared at the meeting, but she said more information will come out as public health officials go over the data.
“We will share the data with our partners and work with the drug strategy,” she said, adding the data will inform programs going forward.
She noted WDGPH will hold another information night for parents on cannabis use, similar to one recently held on vaping.
“We’ll prepare a tool kit for school boards and there will be a health promotion campaign,” Vanderlaan said.
