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Cannabis

Cannabis is one of the most commonly used substances in Connecticut and across the nation, second only to alcohol. Cannabis is legal in Connecticut for adults 21+. Just because it’s legal for adults does not mean it’s safe for teens! Today's cannabis is much stronger than ever before. Today’s varieties contain over three times the THC content—the psychoactive ingredient—compared to those available 25 years ago.

Health Effects on the Body & Brain

Cannabis, like any substance, has various effects on the body and brain. It's essential to understand the risks associated with cannabis consumption.

Short-Term Effects:

Euphoria and Relaxation: Cannabis can induce feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and heightened sensory perception, which are often sought after by recreational users.
Impaired Coordination and Motor Skills: Short-term use of cannabis can impair coordination, balance, and motor skills, affecting tasks such as driving or operating machinery.
Increased Heart Rate: Cannabis use may cause a temporary increase in heart rate, which can be problematic for individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.
Dry Mouth and Red Eyes: Common side effects of cannabis use include dry mouth (cottonmouth) and red, bloodshot eyes due to vasodilation.
Memory and Cognitive Impairment: Cannabis can impair short-term memory, attention, and cognitive function, making it difficult to concentrate and retain information, particularly during intoxication.
Anxiety and Paranoia: Some individuals may experience heightened anxiety, paranoia, or panic attacks, especially with high doses or in susceptible individuals.

Long-Term Effects:

Respiratory Issues: Smoking cannabis, like tobacco, can lead to respiratory problems such as chronic bronchitis, coughing, and increased phlegm production.
Cognitive Impairment: Long-term, heavy cannabis use, especially during adolescence when the brain is still developing, may be associated with persistent cognitive deficits, including impaired memory, learning, and executive function.
Mental Health Disorders: While causality is complex and multifaceted, cannabis use has been linked to an increased risk of developing mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety disorders, particularly in individuals with a predisposition or family history of such conditions.
Addiction and Dependence: Cannabis use disorder, characterized by compulsive use despite negative consequences, can develop in some individuals, leading to dependence and withdrawal symptoms upon cessation.
Social and Occupational Impairment: Chronic cannabis use may interfere with social relationships, academic or occupational performance, and overall quality of life.
Impaired Driving: Cannabis impairs judgment, reaction time, and motor skills, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries, particularly when driving under the influence.

Individual responses to cannabis can vary based on factors such as dose, frequency of use, method of ingestion, age, genetics, and pre-existing health conditions. While some individuals may use cannabis without experiencing significant adverse effects, others may be more vulnerable to its negative consequences.

How Cannabis is Consumed

There are several way of ingesting cannabis, each with its own onset time and duration of effects:

Smoking: Smoking cannabis involves inhaling the smoke produced by burning dried cannabis flowers or buds. This method provides rapid onset of effects, typically within minutes, but the effects may wear off within a few hours.
Vaping: Vaping involves heating cannabis extracts or oils to create vapor, which is then inhaled. Vaporization is often considered a less harmful alternative to smoking, as it produces fewer harmful byproducts. Effects typically onset quickly, similar to smoking.
Edibles: Edible cannabis products come in various forms, including baked goods, candies, chocolates, and beverages, infused with cannabis extracts or oils. When consumed, the cannabinoids are metabolized by the digestive system, leading to slower onset of effects, typically within 30 minutes but up to 2 hours. Effects can last longer compared to smoking or vaping, often lasting 4 to 8 hours or more.

Topicals: Cannabis-infused topicals, such as creams, lotions, and balms, are applied directly to the skin. While they do not produce psychoactive effects when applied topically, they may provide localized relief from pain, inflammation, and other symptoms.
Tinctures and Sublinguals: Tinctures are liquid cannabis extracts typically administered orally, either by placing drops under the tongue (sublingual) or mixing them into food or beverages. Sublingual administration allows for faster absorption into the bloodstream compared to edibles, with effects typically onset within 15 to 30 minutes.
Dabbing: Dabbing involves vaporizing high-potency cannabis concentrates, such as wax, shatter, or budder, using a specialized dab rig or vaporizer. Dabbing can produce intense and immediate effects due to the high concentration of THC, but it also carries a higher risk of overconsumption and adverse effects.

Impact on the Teen Brain

Adolescence is a critical period of brain development. In fact, our brains continue to develop until age 25. During this period, the brain is particularly vulnerable to the effects of external substances, including cannabis. Cannabis can affect:

Cognitive Function:

Memory and Learning: Cannabis use during adolescence has been associated with deficits in working memory, verbal memory, and overall cognitive function. These impairments can interfere with academic performance and learning abilities.
Executive Function: Executive functions, such as decision-making, impulse control, and planning, are still developing during adolescence. Cannabis use may disrupt the development of these skills, leading to difficulties in self-regulation and goal-directed behavior.

Brain Structure and Connectivity:

Structural Changes: Studies have shown that heavy cannabis use during adolescence may alter brain structure, including changes in gray matter volume and white matter integrity. These structural alterations can have long-lasting implications for brain function and behavior.
Neural Connectivity: Cannabis can affect the development of neural networks and synaptic connectivity in the brain, potentially disrupting communication between brain regions responsible for cognitive processes, emotion regulation, and reward processing.

Risk of Mental Health Disorders:

Increased Vulnerability: Adolescents who use cannabis regularly may be at an increased risk of developing mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and psychosis. This heightened vulnerability may be due to the interaction between cannabis exposure and ongoing brain development.
Schizophrenia Risk: There is evidence to suggest that heavy cannabis use, particularly in genetically predisposed individuals, may elevate the risk of developing schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders later in life.

Long-Term Implications:

Cannabis Use Disorder: Cannabis is addictive and long-term use can lead to cannabis use disorder. Learn more about the signs here.
Educational and Occupational Outcomes: Adolescent cannabis use has been linked to lower educational attainment, reduced job prospects, and socioeconomic challenges later in life.

Safe Storage and Disposal

Safe storage and disposal of cannabis products are essential practices to prevent unintended access, misuse, and potential harm, particularly in households with children, teens and pets. Here are some guidelines for safe storage and disposal of cannabis:

Safe Storage:

Keep Out of Reach: Store cannabis products, including dried flower, edibles, concentrates, and infused products, in a secure and inaccessible location, such as a locked cabinet, safe, or container. This prevents unauthorized access by children, pets, or visitors.
Childproof Packaging: Store cannabis products in child-resistant packaging to reduce the risk of accidental ingestion by young children. Ensure that packaging is properly sealed and labeled with warning symbols and dosage information.
Avoid Visibility: Store cannabis products out of sight and reach of children, adolescents, and other household members. Avoid leaving cannabis paraphernalia, such as pipes, bongs, or vaporizers, in plain view.
Separate Storage: If storing multiple cannabis products, consider keeping them separate from other medications, household items, or food products to minimize confusion and accidental ingestion.
Monitor Quantity: Keep track of the quantity of cannabis products in your possession and store them responsibly to prevent overconsumption or misuse.
Educate Household Members: Educate family members, caregivers, and household members about the importance of safe storage practices and the potential risks associated with cannabis use, especially for children and adolescents.

Safe Disposal:

Follow Local Regulations: Familiarize yourself with local regulations and guidelines for the disposal of cannabis products, including laws regarding the disposal of unused or expired cannabis products.
Destroy Unused Products: If you have unused or expired cannabis products that you no longer need or want, consider rendering them unusable before disposal. This may involve mixing them with undesirable substances (e.g., coffee grounds, cat litter) or destroying them to prevent retrieval.
Dispose of Packaging Safely: Dispose of cannabis packaging, including containers, bags, and labels, in accordance with local recycling or waste disposal guidelines. Remove or obscure any identifying information to protect your privacy.
Return to Dispensary: Some dispensaries and cannabis retailers may offer disposal services or take-back programs for unused or expired cannabis products. Contact your local dispensary or retailer to inquire about available disposal options.
Do Not Flush or Dispose of in Landfill: Avoid flushing cannabis products down the toilet or sink, as they can contaminate water sources and harm the environment. Similarly, refrain from disposing of cannabis products in regular household trash that may end up in landfills.

Accidental ingestion of cannabis products, particularly by children or pets, can lead to unintended intoxication and potential health risks. If you suspect that your child or pet ingested cannabis, call Poison Control immediately.

For children call 1-800-222-1222. For pets call Animal Poison Control immediately at 1-800-426-4435.

Find Resources at BeInTheKnowCT.org/Resources