Throughout this site, you'll see this "Sources" button.  Clicking on it will show you a listing of the resources that were used to support the information presented on each page. 

Some of these resources are in the public domain and are freely available to anyone.  Other resources are peer-reviewed scientific papers that, by law, require payment to access.  

CRISM does not benefit or profit fees paid to access academic sources. 

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Developed by research experts.

Free tools for safer cannabis use.

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Cannabis Facts

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Check Cannabis Use

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Find Help

All information on this site has been curated by a team of research experts without any conflicts of interest. Our goal is to provide an engaging, interactive experience that is grounded in science.

This is a free **S**creening, **S**elf-**M**anagement, and **R**eferral to **T**reatment (SSMRT) public health resource.  Learn about cannabis and how it affects people.  Find out about how you and other Canadians use cannabis.  Discover what the science says about reducing cannabis harms.  Reach out for self-directed help and find treatment.  The content on this site has been curated by academic experts, without involvement of commercial, for-profit interests.



No judgement – just facts.

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Cannabis (Production)

Information shown on this page is supported by several free (publicly-accessible) and academic resources.  Note that access to scientific articles may require payment.  CRISM does not benefit or profit from fees paid to access academic resources.

**Free sources**

Lower risk cannabis use guidelines: 
[https://www.camh.ca/-/media/files/lrcug_professional-pdf.pdf](https://www.camh.ca/-/media/files/lrcug_professional-pdf.pdf)

[Cannabis 101 + Harm Reduction the Sensible Cannabis Education Toolkit Series](https://getsensible.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Sensible-Cannabis-Education-Booklet-2.pdf) 

**Academic articles (require payment or institutional library access)**

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: A comprehensive update of evidence and recommendations. American Journal of Public Health, 107(8), e1–e12. [https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2017.303818](https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2017.303818)

Fischer, B., Robinson, T., Bullen, C., Curran, V., Jutras-Aswad, D., Medina-Mora, M. E., Pacula, R. L., Rehm, J., Room, R., Brink, W. van den, & Hall, W. (2021). Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines (LRCUG) for reducing health harms from non-medical cannabis use: A comprehensive evidence and recommendations update. International Journal of Drug Policy. [https://doi.org/10.1016/J.DRUGPO.2021.103381](https://doi.org/10.1016/J.DRUGPO.2021.103381)

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Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines

You have the choice about whether you want to use cannabis (weed, pot), but science shows that there are different ways of using it and some ways are safer than others. These guidelines are based on a large review of scientific evidence on health effects of cannabis use. 

These tips let you know what science recommends to help reduce some of the risks to your health and well-being if you choose to use cannabis. This page reviews each guideline and provides a summary sheet, which you can download to take with you as a reference. 


Reduce risks of experiencing cannabis-related problems

To avoid all risks, do not use cannabis. No matter how you use cannabis, there are some short- and long-term health risks. The only way to completely avoid all of the risks is not to use cannabis. If you’re curious or interested in using cannabis, keep reading to learn how you can use it safely. 



All cannabis use has associated risks

Frequently using cannabis, especially in large amounts, may lead to a Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) or to dependence. Symptoms of cannabis use disorder include experiencing cravings and withdrawal, being unable to meet commitments in your daily life, and being unable to control or reduce cannabis use. If you are unable to control your cannabis use and concerned about CUD, please see a doctor. 

Cannabis use disorder or dependence 

Like other drugs, using cannabis may cause harm to others. This can happen through impaired driving, exposure to second-hand smoke, or impaired judgement by the person using. Minors are especially impacted by potential harms. 

Avoid use that may cause harm to others

General Precautions for Cannabis Use

Using cannabis at a young age (before late adolescence or the end of puberty) can increase the risk of problems with your health, education, and social life. Also, keep in mind that there are specific laws about the legal age of cannabis use, too. Try to delay using cannabis until you’re older to lower the risks.

Delay taking up cannabis use until later in life 

High-potency cannabis products, with high tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content, can be more harmful. Cannabidiol (CBD), another compound in cannabis, can reduce some negative effects like memory impairment, paranoia, and high heart rate.  Know what you’re using!  Try to choose products with lower THC content, or higher with a CBD to THC ratio. 

Identify and choose lower-risk cannabis products

Your method of using cannabis influences the effects and risks. No route is 100% safe, and each has its own unique risks. 

Inhaling cannabis by smoking or vaping can harm your lungs, especially when tobacco is added. To protect your lungs, try to use other methods of using cannabis. Please note that vaping or cannabis reduces the exposure to toxins when compared to smoking, but it can expose you to other chemicals. 

Dabbing involves inhaling potent cannabis extracts, typically with high THC levels. This can cause intense adverse psychoactive effects which can occur very rapidly. 

Eating or drinking cannabis (e.g., edibles, drinkables) will result in longer-lasting effects. This method will take longer for the effects to occur, which could lead to overconsumption. 

Choose safer routes to use cannabis 

Some people try to increase their high by deeply inhaling or holding their breath when smoking. Evidence is mixed about whether this method increases your high, but we do know that more toxic material is absorbed into your lungs when you smoke this way, and it can cause lung problems. Try to avoid deeply inhaling or holding your breath when smoking.

If you smoke cannabis, avoid harmful smoking practices 

Using cannabis often (daily or almost every day) can affect your health and social life. It can increase your risk of cannabis dependence, can influence your brain development, and can create mental health challenges. If you use often, try to limit your use, such as using only on weekends or once a week.

Limit and reduce how often you use cannabis 

Purchasing legal cannabis products ensures that you know exactly what you are getting and that the product is regulated. Illegally sold cannabis products are typically not labeled with their THC and CBD content, and can have unpredictable potency. 

 Purchase legal and quality-controlled cannabis

Cannabis can impact how your brain is functioning and may cause other negative health outcomes. 
If you notice memory or concentration issues, think about temporarily stopping your cannabis use or reducing the amount or frequency use. 


Stop or reduce use if you notice negative impacts on brain function

Cannabis use can affect your attention, reaction time and coordination. This increases your chance of getting in an accident. Wait at least six hours before driving or operating machinery after using. You’ll probably have to wait longer if you’re using a stronger product or have a lasting high.  Combining alcohol and cannabis can further increase your chances of getting into an accident. If you plan on driving, do not use cannabis, alcohol or other drugs.

Don’t use and drive, or operate other machinery 

Using cannabis can impact your own health, and can also harm a fetus or newborn. It’s safest to avoid using cannabis if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or intend to become pregnant. Intense cannabis use may negatively impact reproduction. 

Avoid using cannabis if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Combining cannabis use with other psychoactive substances (e.g., nicotine, alcohol, tobacco, etc) can increase the potential for harm. Using these together can increase the risk of negative outcomes (e.g., dependence, heart or lung issues), or they can interact and negatively impact how your body processes the drugs.

 Be careful if combining cannabis with other substances 

If you or your family has a history of psychosis, mood, and/or substance use disorders, you have an increased chance of experiencing harmful effects when using cannabis. This can include cannabis-related psychosis, dependence, or other mental health problems. If you have existing cardiovascular issues, using cannabis may increase your risk of harm. Please be aware of these risks and adjust your cannabis use if needed. It’s safest to avoid using cannabis if you or your family has a history of psychosis or substance use disorder.

  Mental health conditions can increase your risk of harm

It is possible that the more of these risky behaviours you engage in when using cannabis, will increase your risk of harms. For example, starting to use cannabis at a young age and smoking high-potency products daily, puts you at a higher risk of both immediate and long-term problems.

Avoid combining the risks identified above 

Lower Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines

LRCUG-guidelines-public-version.pdf

Need to save or print this information as a reference? A summary sheet is available for you on or offline.

cannabis-guidelines

We are asking for your location so we can show accurate resources on the map, which are based on your location. 

If you initially said no to sharing your location and changed your mind, you will need to enable location sharing from your browser's settings. You will then need to refresh the page.  

Each browser is different so we have provided links to the major browsers on how to enable sharing your location:

1.  [Google Chrome](https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/142065?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop)
2. [Firefox](https://www.howtogeek.com/758409/how-to-check-which-websites-can-access-your-location-in-mozilla-firefox/#moka_anchor_desktop)
3. [Safari](https://browserhow.com/how-to-enable-or-disable-location-access-in-apple-safari)

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Cannabis Treatment Services in My Area

The map shows mental health and addiction treatment resources in your area. These results are based on a google search of the keyword *Addiction Treatment*.  The results of these google searches will show up as red crosses on the map. To find more information about a resource click on the red cross and then click **More Info**. 

Looking for help and further support?

Nope!  If you do not want to provide your location, you can zoom up on the map on your location by pressing the plus button located to the right of the map. 

If you want to allow the website to access your location, resources will be shown on the map based on your location. This function will only be enabled if you grant the website access to your location. Click the pop-up on the bottom right corner to learn how to enable location sharing. 

Do I have to give you my location?

Under the map, we have suggested National and Provincial addiction and mental health helplines. If you require more information about any of these services please use the listed phone numbers or visit the websites listed below each hotline. 


Are there any other resources not shown on the map?

Phone number: 1-866-585-0445 (toll free) /
URL: [https://www.wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA ](https://www.wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA )

Canada - Wellness Together Canada (Available ​​24/7)

Phone number:  1-866-332-2322 (toll free) /
[https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/findhealth/service.aspx?Id=1008399](https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/findhealth/service.aspx?Id=1008399)


Alberta - Addiction Helpline (Available ​​24/7)

Phone number: 1-800-663-1441 (toll free)/604-660-9382 (lower mainland) /
[https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/mental-health-substance-use/resources/alcohol-drug-information-referral-service](https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/mental-health-substance-use/resources/alcohol-drug-information-referral-service)

British Columbia - Alcohol and Drug Information Referral Service (Available ​​24/7)

Phone number: 1-888-322-3019 (toll free)/204-786-8686 /
[https://klinic.mb.ca/crisis-support/](https://klinic.mb.ca/crisis-support/)


Manitoba - Klinic Crisis Line (Available ​​24/7)

Phone number: 1-800-667-5005 (toll-free)/ 506-450-4357 (Fredericton Area) /
[http://www.chimohelpline.ca/](http://www.chimohelpline.ca/)

New Brunswick - Chimo Helpline (Available ​​5pm-12am)

Phone number:  8-1-1 (province wide) /
[https://www.811healthline.ca/medical-advice-and-health-information/](https://www.811healthline.ca/medical-advice-and-health-information/)

Newfoundland and Labrador - HealthLine and Mental health Crisis Line (Available ​​24/7)

Phone number:  1-888-429-8167 (toll-free) /
[https://mha.nshealth.ca/en](https://mha.nshealth.ca/en)


Nova Scotia - Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line (Available ​​24/7)

Phone number:  1-866-531-2600 /
[https://www.connexontario.ca/en-ca/](https://www.connexontario.ca/en-ca/)


Ontario - Connex Ontario (Available 24/7)

Phone number: 1-833-553-6983 /
[https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-pei/mental-health-and-addictions-services](https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-pei/mental-health-and-addictions-services)


Prince Edward Island - Mental Health and Addictions Phone Line (Available 24/7)

Phone number:  1-800-265-2626 (Everywhere in Quebec)/514-527-2626 (Montreal area) /
[https://www.aidedrogue.ca/](https://www.aidedrogue.ca/)


Quebec - Drugs: Help and Referral (Available 24/7)

Phone number:  8-1-1/1-877-800-0002 /
[https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/your-health/conditions-diseases-services/healthline-online](https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/your-health/conditions-diseases-services/healthline-online)


Saskatchewan - HealthLine 811 (Available 24/7)

Phone number: 1-800-661-0844 /
[https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/nwt-help-line  ](https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/nwt-help-line  )


Northwest Territories -  NWT Help Line (Available 24/7)

Phone number: 1-800-265-3333 (toll free)/ 867-979-3333 (local Nunavut number) /
[http://nunavuthelpline.ca/](http://nunavuthelpline.ca/)


Nunavut - Kamatsiaqtut Help Line (Available 24/7)

Phone number:  867-456-3838/1-866-456-3838 /
[https://yukon.ca/en/health-and-wellness/mental-wellness/access-counselling-services-yukon](https://yukon.ca/en/health-and-wellness/mental-wellness/access-counselling-services-yukon)


Yukon - Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services

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**Free sources**

**Map data sources**
The information shown on the map and presented in the table was obtained from the 2018 and 2019 Canadian Cannabis Survey. Click the following link to see the full PDF. [https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/82-003-x/2020002/article/00002-eng.pdf?st=DDRiynOw](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/82-003-x/2020002/article/00002-eng.pdf?st=DDRiynOw)

**Reference** for the data source: Rotermann, M. (2020). What has changed since cannabis was legalized? Health Reports, 31(2), 11–20. [https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2020002/article/00002-eng.htm](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2020002/article/00002-eng.htm)

**Cannabis Stats Hub**
Statistics Canada has created a digital environment that allows users to visualize information on topics ranging from the production costs associated with Cannabis to the prevalence of Cannabis use disorders. Click the following link to go to the cannabis stats hub. [https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/13-610-x/13-610-x2018001-eng.htm](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/13-610-x/13-610-x2018001-eng.htm)

*Note: Data for some territories not available due to limitations in survey methods used by Statistics Canada.

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Cannabis Use in Canada

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The infographics below were created by using results from the 2018 and 2018 National Cannabis Survey.  This survey is conducted every 3 months by Statistics Canada to measure cannabis use among Canadians age 15 years and older.



What % of Canadians report using cannabis in the past 3 months?

21.1% 

18.8%

25.7%

20.3%

11.8%

17.5%

16.3%

15.5%

19.3%

19.1%

% of Canadians using any cannabis in the past 3 months (15+ years and older)

8.9%

7.2%

10.2 7.7%

3.3%

7.1%

8.2%

% of Canadians using cannabis daily or almost daily use in the past 3 months (15+ years and older)

***Data for some territories not available due to limitations in survey methods used by Statistics Canada

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Legal Issues

The legal age for cannabis is 19 in most provinces, except for 18 in Alberta and 21 in Quebec.

Want to learn more about what is legal in each province and territory? [Click here to be directed to a Government of Canada website that provides additional legal information.](https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/laws-regulations/provinces-territories.html)


1. What is the legal age for cannabis across provinces?

So long as you are of legal age in the provinces in question and you are carrying less than 30 grams of dried cannabis, you are permitted to carry cannabis between provinces, including via air travel.

2. Is it legal to transport cannabis between provinces?

It is illegal to transport cannabis across the Canadian border, no matter the point of origin.

[Learn more about what is legal when crossing the Canadian border by clicking here.](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/health/campaigns/cannabis/border.html)


3. Can I transport cannabis across the Canadian border?

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There is lots of information available about cannabis.  But not everything you read or hear about cannabis is supported by scientific evidence.  Access current scientific evidence about cannabis, and find out about common myths about this substance. 

Cannabis 101: Properties, Effects, Myths

Using any  drug, including cannabis, comes with risks.  We’ve summarized evidence-based guidelines to help you use cannabis safely and to limit risks of experiencing negative health effects. 

Are you curious about how other Canadians use cannabis?  Check out an interactive map that shows how people across Canada use cannabis. 

The laws surrounding cannabis possession and use are similar across Canada.  However, there are some slight variations between provinces.  People in possession of cannabis are responsible for knowing the laws and regulations of the province they live in, or provinces they may be travelling to.  

Laws and Regulations

cannabis-faqs

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Check My Cannabis Use

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Curious about how your cannabis use compares to the Canadian general public?  Click the **Learn More** button to take a short quiz to learn how your cannabis use compares to others.  

Compare to Other Canadians

Are you curious to know if you might have a problem with your cannabis use? Click the **Learn More** button to take a quiz to see if your cannabis use is problematic.  

Do You Have a Cannabis Problem?

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Did you know you can take strategies to reduce your risk of experiencing harm from cannabis use? Click the **Learn More** button to be redirected to quiz about your cannabis habits and how these habits compare to others. 

Free tools for safer cannabis use.

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