The Facts
True Or False: The majority of Ontario youth use cannabis.
False: 1 in 5 (19%) of students in grades 7-12 in an Ontario study reported using cannabis in the 2016/2017 school year.
Which part of the body is also a nickname for cannabis?
Hint: we have these in our shoulders, elbows, and fingers.
Joint
How does cannabis affect your driving?
Will accept any of the following:
1. Decreases alertness
2. Decreases concentration
3. Decreases coordination
4. Decreases reaction time
5. Increases odds of being in a fatal crash
When you use alcohol AND cannabis the odds of being in a fatal crash increase by 2,200% (22 times the risk) compared to cannabis alone.
If a police officer finds that you are impaired by any drug, including cannabis, you will face serious penalties, including:
an immediate licence suspension
financial penalties
possible vehicle impoundment
possible criminal record
possible jail time
Plan a safe ride home.
Use public transit
Use a designated driver
Call someone for a ride
Cab
Stay over
True Or False: Exposure to second-hand vapour is harmless.
False. Bystanders can also be exposed to vapour that is exhaled by users. Research indicates that vapour may pose a health risk to bystanders. Studies of second-hand e-cigarette aerosol have found toxic chemicals at levels linked to negative health effects. Even at low levels, small particles can harm your lungs. More research is needed to know the full risks to bystanders.
True Or False: It is legal for 18 year olds to use or possess cannabis.
False. You need to be 19 years of age and older to buy, use, possess and grow recreational cannabis. This is the same as the minimum age for the sale of tobacco and alcohol in Ontario.
True Or False: Cannabis is addictive.
True. The risk of becoming addicted is 1 in 6 (17%) among those who start using cannabis as a youth. The youth brain is still developing which makes it easier to become addicted to cannabis and other drugs.
What is a nickname for cannabis that is also a name for a gardener's enemy?
Weed.
True Or False: Youth who vape are four times more likely to smoke cigarettes.
True. Youth who vape with nicotine are four times more likely to smoke, to smoke more often, and to smoke higher amounts of tobacco.
True or False: Using cannabis at a young age, or using it every day for a long period of time may cause harm that may not go away when you stop using.
True. Using cannabis when you're younger (and by young we mean teenagers, and definitely younger than 16) can increase the risk of problems with your health, education and social life.
If you use often, try to limit your use, such as using only on weekends or once a week.
List two places where it is illegal to use cannabis.
Will accept any of the following:
1. School property
2. Child care centres
3. Near sports fields or playground
4. Hospital grounds
5. At work
6. Vehicles and boats
7. In restaurants
8. In bus shelters
You can use cannabis in your home or on your property (if allowed in your lease if you're renting) and sidewalks.
True Or False: Vapes without nicotine are safe.
False. The vapour produced by vapes is not harmless water vapour, even when it doesn't contain nicotine. In addition to nicotine, many chemicals have been found in vapour including:
Very small particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs causing breathing problems
Flavouring such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease
Propylene glycol and glycerol which can bother your mouth and throat, and cause coughing and spitting
Volatile organic compounds which can cause breathing problems, headaches, and bother your eyes, ears, nose and throat
Chemicals that can cause cancer
Heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead that may cause cancer, damage the central nervous system, damage organs in the body such as the liver, kidneys, and heart, and damage the brain.
What is an item for cooking that is also a nickname for cannabis?
Pot.
True Or False: Smoking cannabis is safe.
False. Cannabis has over 400 chemicals in it. Some of these chemicals are linked to causing cancer.
Using cannabis can have the following effects on your body:
may decrease your memory, ability to pay attention and concentrate, and your ability to learn
can affect your mental health
can affect your moods and feelings
can damage your lungs
give you more coughs, colds, and chest infections
Name two groups of people that may be easily harmed by cannabis.
Will accept any of the following:
1. Youth 25 years of age and under
2. Babies
3. Children
4. Pregnant women
5. Breastfeeding women
6. Those with a mental health issue
7. Those with a substance use problem
Children and babies exposed to second-hand cannabis smoke may have damage to their developing brain and lungs
Pregnant and breastfeeding women may pass the harmful chemicals in cannabis to their babies through the placenta and through their breast milk. There is no known safe amount or time for cannabis use in pregnancy and when breastfeeding.
Those with a mental health issue or those with a parent or sibling with a mental health issue are at a greater risk for harms.
Those with a substance use problem or those with a parent or sibling with a substance use problem are at a greater risk for harms.
Name two things that can happen if a youth is caught vaping.
You can be:
1. Suspended
2. Expelled
3. Receive a fine of hundreds of dollars
4. Your parents may be notified
What is the chemical in cannabis that makes you feel like you're "high"?
THC. THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main chemical and is most responsible for the "high". It also affects your coordination and balance, and may cause you to feel anxiety, panic, and trouble knowing what's real and what's not real.
What is it called when you take a quick puff?
Hint: baseball players always want to get one of these.
A hit.
True Or False: Eating or drinking products that have cannabis in them are safer than smoking or vaping cannabis.
True. Smoking cannabis (in joints, bongs, etc) is the most harmful way of using cannabis because it affects your lungs. Eating or drinking products that have cannabis in them is safer as it doesn't affect your lungs. But you need to be careful. It could be more dangerous to use edibles if you don't know what's in them - they may have very high amounts of THC, and the THC may not be mixed in evenly. When you eat edibles, your high is delayed. Pacing yourself can help you avoid what some might call a "bad high". Remember that no method is entirely risk-free.
List two possible long-term effects of using cannabis.
Will accept any of the following:
1. Memory
2. Attention
3. Concentration
4. Learning
5. Increased risk of psychosis
6. Addiction
7. Harm fetus
8. Harm newborn
Cannabis may lead to problems with memory, paying attention, concentration, and learning.
Increased risk of psychosis (hearing, seeing, or feeling things that aren't real), anxiety, breathing problems (ie worsening asthma).
One in six youth who start using cannabis in their teens will develop an addiction problem with it, compared to one in nine who start using cannabis as adults.
Using cannabis during pregnancy or breastfeeding can harm a fetus or a newborn.
Where can you legally buy cannabis?
Online: Ontario Cannabis Store
Licensed storefront
Purchasing from a legal source means that individuals will not be exposed to cannabis that has been contaminated with unknown, harmful chemicals or other drugs, which can happen when it is purchased illegally. It also means that users can choose the percentage of THC and CBD in the cannabis they use.
What is the chemical in cannabis that can be used to help people with health problems?
CBD. Cannabidiol (CBD) does not make you feel "high". It has been shown to help with some forms of chronic pain, nausea, and vomiting.
What is another word for vaping that contains a gemstone?
JUUL or JUULing is another word for vaping which comes from the name of a vape "JUUL". A JUUL vape contains nicotine in amounts similar to what's found in regular cigarettes. Nicotine is highly addictive and may harm the developing adolescent brain.
True Or False: 10 puffs of a vape can have as much nicotine as a cigarette.
True. 10 puffs of a vape can have as much nicotine as a cigarette for example in a JUUL or Vype vape, or there may be little or no nicotine in the puffs of a vape.
Each and every time you use cannabis your body and mind may be affected. List two possible short-term effects.
Will accept any of the following:
1. Intense happiness
2. Relaxation
3. Paranoia
4. Anxiety
5. Feels like time is moving more slowly
6. Psychosis (hearing, seeing, and feeling things that aren't real, not being able to tell what's real and what's not real)
7. Difficult paying attention
8. Difficulty remembering
9. Shaking
10. Poorer coordination and balance
11. Slower reaction time
You may also have an increased heart rate, increased hunger, increased blood pressure, dilated pupils, red eyes, dry mouth, and throat.
True Or False: A 19 year-old student can use cannabis on school property.
False. Although recreational cannabis is legal for adults 19 years of age and older, no one can use cannabis at schools, on school property and at school-related activities.
In addition, smoking or vaping cannabis is prohibited at schools, on school grounds, and all public areas within 20m of these grounds.
If caught with cannabis on school property you may be suspended, or have other consequences.