Cannabis Facts Chicago

Cannabis Health And Safety Tips

Cannabis was legalized in the State of Illinois on Jan. 1, 2020, and the City of Chicago wants to ensure that implementation was done in a safe and responsible way. While those over 21 years of age are able to purchase cannabis products at licensed dispensaries, the Chicago Department of Public Health advises caution for anyone who chooses to do so. Here are some health and safety tips on cannabis consumption.

Protect Your Brain

Your brain continues to develop until age 25 and studies have shown that cannabis use in young people can impair brain development.[i] Cannabis use, particularly heavy use by young people, can impair short term memory, learning ability and even intelligence.[ii], [iii], [iv] The purchase and use of cannabis is also illegal for those under 21.

Know Your Dose

Cannabis affects everyone differently. Go slow and know your limits.  Cannabis now comes in many different forms and can be much more potent than in the past with levels of THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis, three times what they were about 25 years ago.[v] The impact of edibles in particular can be uncertain.

Over-consumption can result in hallucinations, paranoia, increased heart rate, confusion, poor judgment, panic attacks, nausea and vomiting.[vi] States and municipalities that have legalized cannabis have seen an increase in emergency department visits and hospitalizations with people experiencing such symptoms.[vii] Always be sure to know what dose of THC you are putting in your body, and keep in mind that how you consume cannabis can affect the severity and duration of its effects. 

Avoid Frequent Use

Daily cannabis use, particularly in high doses, can impair your memory and has been associated with an increased risk of psychosis.[viii] People with a family history of mental illness are advised to consult a medical provider before consuming cannabis.

Potential for Addiction

Cannabis use can, in some cases, lead to addiction.[ix], [x] This means a person isn’t able to control or stop cannabis use even though it interferes with daily life. Studies have shown that the earlier in life you begin using cannabis, the more likely you are to become addicted.[xi]

Don’t Consume Cannabis if Pregnant or Breastfeeding

There is no safe amount of cannabis while pregnant or breastfeeding, regardless of how you consume it. THC can be transferred to your baby through your placenta or your breast milk. Cannabis use during pregnancy is linked to low birth weight babies, which carries a number of health risks.[xii] If you are a current medical cannabis user or need assistance addressing morning sickness, call your medical provider.

Don’t Drive While High

Driving while high is not just dangerous to yourself and others,[xiii] it’s illegal and considered a DUI.  Cannabis, like alcohol, can cause impairment and should not be consumed prior to operating a vehicle or performing any task that has other inherent risks. States that have legalized cannabis have seen an increase in motor vehicle accidents related to cannabis use.[xiv]

Also, having an open container of cannabis in a vehicle is illegal, even if you’re a passenger. If you or someone you’re with has been using cannabis don’t risk vehicular harm or arrest, take public transportation, ride share, or call a sober friend to drive.

Keep it Safe

Ensure that the only person using your cannabis is you. Unintentional cannabis ingestion can affect kids, pets, and visitors to your home. Edibles can come in the form of candy, chocolate or beverages that might be attractive to children. Keep your cannabis in a child-resistant container and consider storing in a lockbox or safe.

If you think your child has ingested cannabis, call the Illinois Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. If someone is having a severe reaction, always call 911 first.

Keep it to Yourself

Remember, kids are impressionable so limit your use to situations where kids aren’t present. And avoid exposing others to secondhand cannabis smoke or vapor; [xv] secondhand smoke can be dangerous to your child’s health. It is also illegal to consume cannabis in a public place.

Stay Away from Synthetic Cannabinoids 

Synthetic cannabinoids are man-made chemicals that can have a similar effect on the brain as cannabis but are also considered a health risk because of a lack of regulation. The use of synthetic cannabis is illegal in the state of Illinois. xvi They come in different forms and can be sprayed on dried plant materials to be smoked or  sold in liquid form to be consumed using vaping products.  Synthetic cannabinoids are more commonly known as K2, spice, Kronic, Black Momba, or Kush.xvii

[i] Levine, A., Clemenza, K., Rynn, M., & Lieberman, J. (2017). Evidence for the Risks and Consequences of Adolescent Cannabis Exposure. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 56(3), 214-225. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2016.12.014
[ii] Meruelo AD, Castro N, Cota CI, Tapert SF. Cannabis and alcohol use, and the developing brain. Behav Brain Res. 2017;325(Pt A):44–50. doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2017.02.025.
[iii] Meier M.H., Caspi A., Ambler A., et. al. Persistent cannabis users show neuropsychological decline from childhood to midlife. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA., 2012. Oct 2; 109(40) E2657-64 doi 10.1073/pnas. 1206820109. Epub 2012 Aug 27
[iv] National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2017. The health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids: Current state of evidence and recommendations for research. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
[v] Elsohly, M. A., Mehmedic, Z., Foster, S. (2016). Changes in Cannabis Potency Over the Last 2 Decades (1995-2014): Analysis of Current Data in the United States. Biological Psychiatry, 79(7), 613-619. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.01.004.
[vi] Volkow N.D., Baler R.D., Compton W.M., Weiss S.R.B. Adverse Health Effects of Marijuana Use N Engl J Med. 2014 June 5; 370(23): 2219–2227. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1402309.
[vii] https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/25/health/edible-cannabis-emergency-visit-study/index.html
[viii] Di Forti, M., Quattrone, D., & Freeman, T. (2019). The contribution of cannabis use to variation in the incidence of psychotic disorder across Europe (EU-GEI): A multicenter case-control study. The Lancet Psychiatry, 6(5), 427-436. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30048-3.
[ix] Freeman, T. P., & Winstock, A. R. (2015). Examining the profile of high-potency cannabis and its association with severity of cannabis dependence. Psychological medicine, 45(15), 3181–3189. doi:10.1017/S0033291715001178
[x] National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2017. The health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids: Current state of evidence and recommendations for research. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
[xi] National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2017. The health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids: Current state of evidence and recommendations for research. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
[xii] National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2017. The health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids: Current state of evidence and recommendations for research. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
[xiii] National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2017. The health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids: Current state of evidence and recommendations for research. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
[xiv] https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/18/health/marijuana-driving-accidents-bn/index.html
[xv] Moir, D., et al., A comparison of mainstream and sidestream marijuana and tobacco cigarette smoke produced under two machine smoking conditions. Chem Res Toxicol 21: 494-502. (2008).
[xvi] Illinois General Assembly. Bill Status of SB2341. Retrieved from http://ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?GA=100&SessionID=91&DocTypeID=SB&DocNum=2341 on December 8, 2019
[xvii] NIDA. (February 5, 2018). Synthetic Cannabinoids (K2/Spice). Retrieved from  https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/synthetic-cannabinoids-k2spice  on December 8,2019