Cannabis, like alcohol and tobacco, poses a number of health risks.
You should not use cannabis if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It poses a risk to the fetus or newborn child. Heavy cannabis use has been linked to lower birth weight. There may also be other health risks associated with cannabis use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
At any age, cannabis use affects the way the brain functions. This includes impacts on:
- attention
- memory
- learning
The brain does not stop developing until around age 25. The younger you are when you begin cannabis use and the more often and the longer you use it, the more likely that it will have a bigger impact on your brain.
Substance use disorder
You should not use cannabis if you have a predisposition or family history of psychosis or problematic substance use.
Cannabis can be addictive. Close to 1 in 3 people who use cannabis will develop a problem with their use. Close to 1 in 10 people who use cannabis will develop an addiction to it. This statistic rises to about 1 in 6 for people who started using cannabis as a teenager.
Cannabis addiction can cause serious harm to your:
- health
- social life
- school work
- work and financial future
If you or someone you know is struggling with a substance use disorder with cannabis or other drugs, help is available.
Help resources in your province or territory
Alberta
- Alberta Health Services Addiction Helpline
A 24-hour toll-free confidential service available to all Albertans.
Toll-free: 1-866-332-2322 - Alberta Health Services – Addiction and Mental Heatlh
A list of programs, services and treatment facilities available in Alberta. - Alcohol and Drug Use in Young People
Prevention strategies for parents and caregivers.
British Columbia
- Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service
This service is available to people across B.C. needing help with any kind of substance use issues 24 hours a day. It provides information and referral to education, prevention and treatment services and regulatory agencies.
Toll-Free: 1-800-663-1441
Lower Mainland: 604-660-9382 - HealthLink BC
HealthLink BC helps you learn about health topics, check your symptoms and find the health services and resources that you need for healthy living. Call 8-1-1 to consult with a nurse, pharmacist or dietitian or visit HealthLinkBC.ca for easy access to help you find the health services you need, closest to where you live. Translation services are available in over 130 languages on request.
Anywhere in B.C.: 8-1-1
TTY (Deaf and hearing-impaired): 7-1-1 - BC Crisis Line
Toll-Free: 310-6789 (no area code needed) - Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre
A provincial resource centre that provides mental health and substance use information, resources and peer support to children, youth and their families from across B.C.
Toll-Free: 1-800-665-1822
Lower Mainland: 604-875-2084 - BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services
Tel: 604-875-2345 or toll-free (in B.C. only)
1-888-300-3088 - Mind Check
Designed to help youth and young adults in British Columbia check out how they are feeling and quickly connect to mental health resources and support. Support includes education, self-care tools, website links, and assistance in connecting to local professional resources. - Here to Help
Provides access to information on mental health, mental disorders and substance use problems and disorders.
Manitoba
- Government of Manitoba, Healthy Living and Seniors, Addictions
Provincial Adult Addictions Information
Toll-Free Line: 1-855-662-6605 - Youth Addictions Centralized Intake Service
Toll-Free Line: 1-877-710-3999 - Addictions Foundation of Manitoba
- Resource Assistance for Youth (RaY)
1-204-783-5617 - Mobile Crisis Services
Winnipeg RHA – Adult Mobile Crisis Service: 204-940-1781
Youth Mobile Crisis Team: 204-949-4777Interlake-Eastern RHA – Mobile Crisis Services: 204-482-5376 or toll free 1-877-499-8770
Prairie Mountain Health – Mobile Crisis Unit: 204-725-4411
Southern Health – East of Red River Mental Health
Access Crisis Response Services/Warm Call line: 204-326-9276 or 1-888-617-7715Southern Health – West of Red River Mental Health
Access Crisis Response: 1-866-588-1697Crisis Line
24 Hour Crisis Line: 204-786-8686
New Brunswick
- Tele-care
Call from anywhere in New Brunswick (available 24 hours/day).
Tel: 8-1-1 - Addiction Treatment Services
A branch of New Brunswick’s Department of Health. - New Brunswick Addiction Centers
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Newfoundland and Labrador Helpline
Call toll-free 24 hours a day.
Toll-free: 1-888-709-2929
TTY: 1-888-709-3555 - Provincial Mental Health Crisis Line
Toll-free: 1-888-737-4668 - Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Department of Health and Community Services Mental Health and Addictions
Call: 1-709-729-3658
www.getuponit.ca
www.understandnow.ca
Northwest Territories
- Northwest Territories Helpline
Call toll-free from anywhere in the Northwest Territories.
Toll-Free: 1-800-661-0844 - Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Health and Social Services, Addictions: where to get help
Nova Scotia
- Government of Nova Scotia Addiction Services
Department of Health and Wellness
Addiction Services - Addiction Services Provincial Line
Tel: 1-866-340-6700
Nunavut
- Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Help Line
Provides anonymous and confidential telephone counselling for northerners in crisis.
Tel: 867-979-3333
Toll-Free: 1-800-265-3333 - Government of Nunavut, Department of Health
Ontario
- Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Mental Health and Addictions
- ConnexOntario, Drug and Alcohol Helpline
Provides free, confidential and anonymous information services about drug and alcohol addiction services in Ontario, by phone, email or web chat, 24/7/365.
Toll-Free: 1-800-565-8603 - Parent Action on Drugs
Develops programs and resources for parents, youth, educators, health promoters and communities related to problematic substance use. - Good2Talk
Is a free, confidential and anonymous helpline (24/7/365) for post-secondary students (17-25) in Ontario that provides professional counselling and information and referrals on mental health, addictions and well-being.
Toll-Free: 1-866-925-5454
Prince Edward Island
- Prince Edward Island Addiction Services
Toll-Free from anywhere in Prince Edward Island: 1-888-299-8399 - Health PEI
Québec
- Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux
Government of Québec website. - Drugs: Help and Referrals
Call toll-free from anywhere in Quebec or locally in Montreal.
Toll-Free: 1-800-265-2626
Montreal: 514-527-2626 - Tel-jeunes
Helpline for youth. Call 24 hours/day, 7 days/week toll-free anywhere in Quebec.
Toll-Free: 1-800-263-2266
514-600-1002 (text messaging, from 8am to 10pm) - LigneParents
Helpline for parents. Call 24 hours/day, 7 days/week toll-free anywhere in Quebec.
Toll-Free: 1-800-361-5085
Saskatchewan
- Government of Saskatchewan HealthLine
Online and telephone services for adults, youth and health providers.
Tel: 8-1-1 - Government of Saskatchewan, Healthy Living, Alcohol, Drugs and your Health
Information about the risks and effects of problematic drug and alcohol use. - Government of Saskatchewan, Mental Health and Addictions, Alcohol and Drug Services
Directory of Alcohol and Drug Treatment Services.
Yukon
- Government of Yukon, Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services
A 24-hour toll-free helpline from anywhere in Yukon.
Toll-Free: 1-867-456-3838