Definition

Cannabis, also known as marijuana, THC, pot or weed, is a plant that contains more than 100 compounds (or cannabinoids), including Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

• THC is impairing or mind-altering, meaning it causes a “high.”
• THC can cause intoxication and affect how you perceive and think about things, how you feel, and how you make decisions.

CBD, Hemp and Forms of THC

CBD (cannabidiol) is a chemical extracted from cannabis and hemp plants. It does not cause a “high” like THC. Mild side effects include drowsiness, nausea and vomiting. 

Hemp is a cannabis plant that has lower THC levels (<0.3%) 

There are a variety of THC cannabinoids. Delta-8, Delta-9 and Delta-10 are forms of THC and can be impairing or intoxicating.

For more information on forms of THC and how THC works in the body, visit the National Institute on Drug Abuse

Smoking or vaping

• People smoke marijuana in hand-rolled cigarettes (joints), in pipes or water pipes (bongs), and in blunts. Blunts are emptied cigars that have been partly or completely refilled with marijuana.
• Some people also use vaporizers, commonly known as vaping.
• Products that are smoked or vaped usually take effect in a matter of minutes.
• Cannabis smoke has many of the same cancer causing substances and toxic chemicals as commercial tobacco smoke. It can harm lungs and other organs.
• Secondhand aerosol from vaping cannabis poses health threats as well.
• Find additional research on the health effects of secondhand cannabis smoke exposure on the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation’s Secondhand Marijuana Smoke Fact Sheet.

Edibles

• Edibles often resemble food products such as gummy candy, cookies, chocolate and beverages. They may also come in tincture or capsules. These products are constantly evolving and are available in many forms.
• Edibles can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to take effect. The intoxicating or “high” effect from an edible lasts longer (usually 12 hours or longer) than when smoked or vaped.
• Effects will vary by product, and for each individual.

THC affects everyone differently

Not all people experience the same thing when:

• Smoking or vaping cannabis
• Consuming edibles

Understand how much THC is in a cannabis product before eating, smoking, or vaping.

Temporary effects can vary across products and people and may include the following:

• Reduced hand-eye coordination
• Relaxed or “high” feeling
• Dizziness
• Increased heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Slower reactions
• Confusion, anxiety, panic or paranoia
• Trouble thinking or concentrating, including impaired learning and memory
• Seeing or hearing things that are not real (this is rare)
• Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (repeated vomiting). To learn more about this rare side effect visit Cedar Sinai.

Also important to know

• Some effects take up to two hours to start and last up to 24 hours.
• Several factors affect how quickly a product gets absorbed into the body, including a person's:
  • Weight
  • Metabolism
  • Gender
  • Eating habits
• Cannabis use can worsen mental health conditions.
• If used frequently, cannabis might increase the risk of depression or worsen depression symptoms.

See cannabis and brain health

Youth

See Cannabis effects on youth

Store cannabis safely

• Store cannabis products safely and securely to help prevent accidental consumption.
• Store cannabis products in their original child-resistant packaging and keep the label on.
• Keep cannabis products in a secure and locked place, out of sight and reach of children and pets.
• Store cannabis products separately from food and beverages.

See MHD safe storage flyer

Driving while impaired is illegal and unsafe

Do not drive after using cannabis. People who drive under the influence of cannabis can experience dangerous effects, such as:

• Slower reactions
• Lane weaving
• Difficulty reacting to signals and sounds on the road

Cannabis, pregnancy and breastfeeding

Using cannabis in any form during pregnancy and breastfeeding may affect you and your baby’s health.

• Cannabis use during pregnancy may cause:
  • Your baby to be born too small or too early
  • Stillbirth
  • Problems with brain development.
• THC can also be passed from a mother to her baby through breast milk. This further impacts a child’s healthy development.

See more about cannabis use in pregnancy and while breastfeeding from the Minnesota Department of Health

Unsafe for youth

Cannabis can be addictive and harm brain development in youth and young adults. It can affect memory, learning and attention.

Discuss the dangers of cannabis with children and teenagers.

See Cannabis effects on youth

Child consumption can be dangerous

THC edibles pose a high risk for accidental consumption by children or pets. They can make children very sick.

Store cannabis products in a locked place where your child (and pets) cannot see, reach, or access them.

Symptoms of THC overdose include:

• Excessive sleepiness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Rapid heart rate
• Slurred speech

Poison Control Hotline

If a child consumes a THC product that is not medically certified for them, immediately call a medical professional or the free Poison Control Hotline.

Call 1-800-222-1222

Make the call even if a child has no symptoms.

• Edible THC products can take 30 minutes to two hours to have an effect.
• The peak effect happens three to four hours later.

If symptoms seem bad, call 911 or go to an emergency room right away.

See tips from the Minnesota Department of Health