Families

Boost your CannabisIQ

Know the drug.
Know your loved one.
Know the risks.

Being there for your loved one while they make decisions about cannabis use is not always easy. Having the right information is key to helping your loved one make informed decisions about whether or not to use cannabis. It is important to have the facts and background knowledge in order to be as supportive as possible.

We know how important it is to make decisions that work for you and your family. This booklet was created by EPION’s members to help you and your loved ones stay in-the-know about cannabis, its side effects, and the risk factors to keep in mind before deciding to use.

Download the Families Resource
View CannabisIQ Resources
MyCannabisIQ: A resource for families. Know the drug. Know your loved one. Know the risks. (via EPION)

Now that it’s legal, is it healthy?

Legalizing cannabis doesn’t mean it is always safe or healthy for everyone. Different strains of cannabis have different impacts on health depending upon medical history, age of use, and potency of the marijuana. It is important to know the facts about the drug and the risks for each individual.
NO

Be informed

All drugs come with risks. In general, the younger one starts using, the more frequently they use, and higher potency poses higher risk.Click To Tweet

What are the risks?

Cannabis-related risks may be immediate or long-term, and can include: cognitive, psychomotor and memory damage; psychosis, hallucinations and impaired perception; addiction/drug dependence; impaired driving, injuries, and/or fatalities; breathing problems; and reproductive problems.Click To Tweet

Youth at higher risk

The onset of most mental health disorders is before 25 (when the brain stops maturing), so those under 25 are at the highest risk of cognitive/mental health effects.Click To Tweet

Is there a connection between cannabis and psychosis?

There is considerable evidence linking cannabis use to psychosis. Teenage marijuana use can induce psychosis several years later. Full recovery from psychosis is possible, but the outlook is more hopeful when young people stop their use.
YES

Link to psychosis

Cannabis and psychosis are linked, but that doesn’t mean cannabis causes psychosis, per sé. Some people are vulnerable to psychosis and are better off avoiding cannabis.Click To Tweet

Vulnerability factors

Factors such as genetics, stress, and childhood trauma can make an individual “vulnerable” to psychosis.Click To Tweet

Worse Outcomes

Early and regular cannabis use increases the risk of psychosis in those who are vulnerable, and continued use worsens long-term symptoms and functional outcomes.Click To Tweet

Is cannabis more harmful to young people?

The brain continues to develop until age 25, so younger users are at a higher risk. Even casual cannabis use before age 25 can impact mental health and cause lifelong damage to the brain.
YES

Developing brains

The human brain is still developing and maturing until at least the mid-20’s, so the brain is most at-risk to stress and chemicals (like those in cannabis) during this time.Click To Tweet

Long term side effects

For those under 25, cognitive functions (such as attention, memory, and overall intelligence) may be permanently impaired by regular cannabis use. Once impacted, choosing to stop cannabis use after using regularly may improve some, but not all, of these cognitive domains.Click To Tweet

Connection to disorders

Early and regular cannabis use is linked to younger onset of psychosis and bipolar disorder. Younger use has been linked to higher rates of drug dependence as an adult.Click To Tweet

Are there ways to lower risks?

The least amount of risk is not using at all; this is called abstinence. However, if you choose to use, consider how you can reduce risks and use safely. Educate yourself on potency issues, THC vs CBD, frequency of use, and other risk factors.
YES

Abstinence

Encourage abstinence for anyone who is under 25 or has experienced psychosis. Failing that, aim for only occasional use (at most once a week).Click To Tweet

Know your source

Only use cannabis from a known source, with trustworthy people, in a safe environment with a designated driver.Click To Tweet

Avoid high THC levels

Keep an eye on levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabidinol). Higher THC potency is linked with immediate and long-term negative effects on cognition and mental health.Click To Tweet

How can I talk to my loved one about cannabis?

Like any conversation about a complex topic, talking about cannabis will be different for every family. We suggest you understand your family history of mental health and addictions problems, as this can impact on the risk for your loved one. Look for ideas and supports about this topic from trusted healthcare providers.

Start with the facts!

Start with the facts! Know the drug, know your loved one, know the risks. The more you know what you’re talking about, the more naturally the conversation will flow.Click To Tweet

Lead by example

Lead by example! Whether you use or abstain, the decisions you make about cannabis use for yourself are likely observed by your loved one and factored in to their decision making.Click To Tweet

Make it natural

Make it natural. Read over some existing toolkits to make yourself more comfortable with starting the conversation. Make sure you choose the method(s) that feels most natural.Click To Tweet

Recommended Reading

Families

Boost Your CannabisIQ

View EPION's CannabisIQ Resources

I'm boosting #mycannabisIQ before legalization.Click To Tweet

CannabisIQ is brought to you by EPION.

 

 

What is EPION?

EPION is a network of people who work in early psychosis intervention (EPI) services in Ontario, individuals who have received EPI services, and their family members and caregivers. We help strengthen early intervention services across Ontario and support the implementation of the MOHLTC’s Early Psychosis Intervention Program Standards, released in May 2011.

 help4psychosis.ca

info@epion.ca

@help4psychosis

 

Our Vision

To build and support a network of provincial leaders that advances knowledge, provides advocacy, promotes quality evidence-based care and support for people and families living with early psychosis.

 

Our Mission

To promote rapid psychosis detection and access to care, to advance early psychosis intervention through research and knowledge exchange, and to implement and advance standards of care for early psychosis intervention.