Health Department launches campaign to raise awareness about safer cannabis consumption

Whitby, Ontario - Durham Region Health Department has launched a new campaign entitled, "Mindful Consumption", with the goal of encouraging responsible and safer cannabis use among adults 19 and older. The campaign focuses on cannabis edibles, which can affect individuals differently than other types of cannabis use.

As of January 2020, the legal sale of cannabis edible products, including gummies, chocolates, baked goods, and drinks, was introduced in Ontario. Since then, Ontario has seen an increase in the use of edible cannabis products.

While the use of cannabis edibles removes the risk to the lungs associated with smoking or vaping cannabis, cannabis edibles also introduce new risks. A research study from SickKids Hospital and The Ottawa Hospital found unintentional cannabis poisoning hospitalizations for children under 10-years old is on the rise since the legalization of cannabis in Canada.

To increase awareness of the potential risks when consuming cannabis edibles, the Health Department’s "Mindful Consumption" campaign is encouraging individuals to:

• Mind the time:
  • Start low and go slow. Cannabis edibles have delayed effects. It can take from 30 minutes to two hours to feel the effects of edible cannabis and the effects can last up to 12 to 24 hours.
  • Do not use cannabis and drive. Cannabis edibles can have a long duration of effect.
• Mind their reach:
  Cannabis products should be locked and stored securely out of reach from children and pets.
• Mind the source:
  Purchase cannabis from legal sources. Unregulated cannabis products may contain higher levels of THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), be contaminated with other substances, and have packaging that is appealing to children and youth.

To learn more and get informed, visit durham.ca/cannabis or call Durham Health Connection Line at 905-668-2020 or 1-800-841-2729.

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For more information, please contact the Health Department.