The Risks of Cannabis Consumption in Young People
One of the recent controversies in caring for young people has been whether primary care practitioners should counsel young people to reduce cannabis use. It is, after all, legal at 19 years of age in Ontario. The use of cannabis in Canadian youth has increased. The 2019 Cannabis survey indicated that 44 percent of teens reported using some form of cannabis in the preceding year.
There has been a lot of attention recently to the effects of cannabis on young people. There is now a proven link between use and the development of psychosis. There is increasing dependence with use. We know use diminishes cognitive function as well as focus and executive functioning. There is a condition that is being seen in emergency rooms where young people develop severe vomiting due to cannabis use.
Even though we might recommend abstinence, a harm reduction approach might be easier to initially reduce consumption in young people.
In discussing use with the young people in your life, consider the following points:
- Avoid all risk by choosing not to use.
- Choose to delay starting as long as possible. Risk is greatest in developing brains.
- Avoid synthetic products.
- Avoid smoking- smoke is smoke.
- Do not drive for six hours after use.
- Do not use if pregnant.
- Especially avoid use if there is a family history of psychosis.
Opening a conversation in a non-judgemental way, and providing information rather than simply stating one’s own thoughts can open dialogue and keep our young people safe.
References
- Canadian Research in Substance Matters
- Canadian Family Physician 2025 update on the Greig health record
Dr. Bhooma Bhayana is a family physician in London and the mother of two young men and proud grandmother of three! She continues to find wonder and enjoyment in family practice despite more than 30 years on the job!
