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Cannabis & Your Health

Cannabis use can impact many parts of a person’s health, especially with long-term use.

Health Risks

Because it comes from a plant, some people don’t realize the risks of cannabis use. In reality, cannabis is a psychoactive (mind-altering) substance like many other drugs. 

Cannabis can also impact motor skills and reaction time, so you should never use marijuana products and operate any motor vehicle. This includes cars, motorcycles, trucks, ATVs, and boats. 

Physical Health

Some people who use cannabis from time to time may not have any bad experiences; others who use it more often and for a longer period of time can develop physical health problems, including:

  • Breathing problems from smoking and vaping
    • Respiratory problems and infections
    • Coughing
    • Wheezing
    • Trouble with physical activity
  • Lung cancer
  • Risks to pregnancy
  • Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (frequent, severe vomiting)

Mental Health

Cannabis is often used as a way to cope with conditions such as stress or anxiety. It may seem to help in the short-term, but long-term use of marijuana can actually lead to mental health conditions, including:

  • Difficulties with memory, focus and learning
  • Weaker coordination and thinking skills
  • Increased anxiety and depression
  • Increased mood swings and irritability
  • Paranoia
  • Risky behavior
  • Schizophrenia, temporary psychosis and other mental disorders
  • Marijuana/cannabis use disorder (addiction)
  • Suicidal ideation and thoughts of suicide

If you are using marijuana to manage any of these issues, there is help available.*

Can you become addicted to marijuana?

Recent research is showing that cannabis use disorder can develop in about 20% percent of users.**

If you use cannabis, tell your doctor. Some medications have harmful interactions with cannabis that can put your health at risk. If you are becoming concerned about your use of cannabis, there is support available.

Call 1-800-563-4086

Older Adults

Older adults are using cannabis more often now that it’s been legalized, and they’re using it primarily for medical purposes. From pain management, to sleep disturbances, not to mention anxiety and depression, this group is using cannabis to cope.

However, older adults are more likely to be taking other medications beyond cannabis that could interact with each other in negative ways. Some older adults might be prone to confusion or falling, and problems with thinking and coordination, which can get worse when cannabis is added to the mix. If someone isn’t aware of how cannabis can affect them, or interact with other medications, it can lead to poor outcomes.

Risks of Cannabis Use in Older Adults

According to the American Medical Association,*** some of the risks of cannabis use in older adults include:

  • Overuse, as cannabis sticks around in the system of older adults longer than younger adults
  • Medication reactions with cannabis
  • Cannabis dependence
  • Lung injury (when smoked or vaped)
  • Elevated heart rate or blood pressure
  • Increased risk of having a negative impact on the brain
  • Increased risk of heart attack or stroke
  • Increased risk of anxiety, paranoia or psychosis
  • Increased risk of motor vehicle accidents and falls
  • Increased risk of poisoning (when ingested in edible form)

If you need support for cannabis use, help is available!

Call 1-800-563-4086

Store it Locked!

Like many other substances, cannabis is toxic for children and pets. Make your home a safe environment where children cannot access cannabis products in any form. Safe storage can help lower the risk of accidental ingestion.

Be safe. Remember to:

  • Keep cannabis in a secure and locked place. Cannabis products should be out of sight, and out of reach of children and pets to avoid accidental ingestion.
  • Store cannabis products in their original containers and keep the label. Labels on cannabis products from licensed cannabis establishments will have important information, including how much THC is in the product.
  • Consider using a safe or lockbox with a combination lock or keypad.
  • Make a list of cannabis products in your home. Knowing exactly what cannabis products you have in your home can help with medical treatment in case of accidental ingestion.

How to Safely Dispose of Cannabis Waste

Keep your home a safe environment! It’s important to know how to safely dispose of cannabis, cannabis products and cannabis waste. These items may contain high levels of THC and can be dangerous to both children and animals if ingested.

  • Be sure to clean up after using marijuana, including ground flower, crumbs, stems, lighters and matches.
  • Cannabis waste includes all types of used cannabis. It also includes materials and packaging that has come into contact with cannabis.
  • Cannabis waste should be mixed with other waste material, like coffee grounds or kitty litter, so it can’t be used.
  • The waste mixture should be in a taped and sealed container, like an empty yogurt cup, and thrown into regular trash.
  • If cannabis packaging is recyclable, throw EMPTY and CLEAN containers away with other recyclables.
  • If the packaging is not recyclable, throw the EMPTY package away with the regular trash.
  • Do not flush cannabis products or packaging down the sink or toilet.

*Source: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/dmhas/covid-19/resources/mhttc__coronavirus-infographic-states-ct.pdf
**Source: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2808874
***Source: https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/cannabis-side-effects-senior-and-older-adult-patients-alison-moore-md