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What is Cannabis?

Cannabis is a plant consumed for its effects on the mind and body

Cannabis is a plant commonly used for recreational or medicinal purposes and is often referred to as pot, ganja, herb, reefer, Mary Jane, bud, dank (yes, it’s a plant of many nicknames). The flowers and leaves of the plant are used for their ability to cause effects on the mind and body including euphoria, relaxation, a sense of well-being, and heightened sensory experiences. The main psychoactive part of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is used for both medicinal purposes and as a recreational drug.

How is Cannabis Consumed?

Cigarette

Smoking

Vape

Vaping

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Eating

Drink

Drinking

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Ingesting

 

Edible Cannabis

Many people know of the immediate psychoactive effects associated with smoking or vaping cannabis but are less aware of the delayed onset and the extended duration of the effects associated with edibles.

Edible cannabis affects everyone differently, which can increase the risk of over consumption. How much you consume and how quickly you consume can influence whether or not adverse effects are experienced.

Health Canada recommends taking a 'start low, go slow' approach – start with an edible that contains a low amount of THC, and wait to feel the effects before taking more.


Things to Keep in Mind:

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Look for products that contain 2.5 mg of THC or less per edible
(Source: Health Canada)

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In Canada, the total amount of THC in a package of edible cannabis can be up to
10 mg

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Always read the label to understand the strength of the product

 
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You can start to feel the effects anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours after consumption, but it can take up to 4 hours to feel the full effects

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Effects can last up to 12 hours, with some residual effects lasting up to 24 hours after use

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Don’t drive after you’ve consumed edible cannabis

 


Cannabis Plants and Effects

While there are many different strains of cannabis, they are all derived from two major types of cannabis plants: Sativa and Indica. Hybrid, as the name suggests, is a combination of Sativa and Indica.

Sativa
Typically uplifting, cerebral high, energetic and focused.
Indica
Tends to produce calming, euphoric, relaxing and mildly sedative effects.
Hybrid
Mix of Sativa and Indica to produce desired effects of both plants.

Where Cannabis Affects the Brain

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