What is Cannabis?
Cannabis is a plant that is known for its psychoactive properties. There are various cannabis products, including plant materials, cannabis oils, concentrated extracts, edibles, tinctures and creams. These products are used for their physical and cognitive effects and for medical and nonmedical purposes. People usually smoke cannabis, but they can also consume it in other ways, such as vaporization (vaping) and in edibles.
Cannabis flowers secrete more than 100 different chemical compounds, known as cannabinoids. When consumed, these compounds bind to cell receptors in the body and change the way these cells communicate with one another. Two of the best-known cannabinoids are THC and CBD:
- THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary psychoactive component of cannabis and is responsible for the high that individuals experience.
- CBD (cannabidiol) does not produce a high, but it can cause drowsiness. It is being studied for use in medical applications, such as relieving pain, nausea and symptoms of other chronic conditions.
Featured Resources
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Pediatric Cannabis Poisoning Stakeholder Toolkit
Presents key facts, social media graphics and messaging to help organizations raise awareness of pediatric cannabis poisoning through public education campaigns. The materials convey the important message of keeping cannabis edibles safely stored and out of reach from children, in the same way we do for other dangerous household items.
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Video: The Effects of Youth Cannabis Use on the Developing Brain - Myth Busting
Panel discussion about the myths youth hold about marijuana.
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Video: Thinking of using cannabis while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Video explains that exposure to cannabis can affect a baby’s mental and physical development, and there is not enough evidence to support using cannabis to treat morning sickness nor pain.
Popular Cannabis Publications:
A Standard THC Unit in Canada: Recommendations for Implementation
Clearing the Smoke on Cannabis: Medical Use of Cannabis and Cannabinoids
Medical Use of Cannabis and Cannabinoids
What does research say about treating medical conditions with cannabis and cannabinoids?
A Standard THC Unit and Its Value in Cannabis Research, Public Education and Regulation in Canada
Knowing Your Limits with Cannabis: A Practical Guide to Assessing Your Cannabis Use
Talking Pot with Youth: A Cannabis Communication Guide for Youth Allies
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Demographic Trends for Cannabis Use
Cannabis use is slowly on the rise in Canada, according to the 2022 Canadian Cannabis Survey. Use among the general population (aged 16 years and older) increased from 25% in 2021 to 27% in 2022. Provincial and territorial estimates ranged from 18% to 41%. Cannabis use was highest among people aged 20–24 years (50%), followed by those aged 16–19 years (37%) and those aged 25 years and older (25%). The biggest change in users occurred in the 25 years and older group, which increased from 22% in 2021 to 25% in 2022.
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Guidance, Tools and Resources
CCSA produces research-based publications, tools, and resources to support evidence-based decision-making on substance use health issues. Select your area of interest from the six categories below:
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Substances
Delve into key resources on commonly used substances, such as alcohol, cannabis, opioids, stimulants and psychedelics. Learn about their effects, usage patterns, associated health and social consequences, and harm reduction considerations
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Personal and Societal Impacts
Get insights on the personal and societal impacts of substance use and addiction , including gambling and impaired driving, and their effects on health, safety, and social well-being. Learn about effective prevention and harm-reduction strategies in various sectors.
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Communities
Communities share common interests, values or goals, and interact with one another to build relationships and help networks. These materials support more inclusive, equitable, and community-informed responses to substance use and addiction. Dive into resources highlighting people with lived and living experience, stigma, sex- and gender-based analysis, Indigenous Peoples, and housing.
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Treatment and Prevention
Explore medical, psychological, and social approaches aimed at helping individuals avoid or recover from substance use disorders. Get the facts on public health topics and learn about collaborative efforts to reduce stigma and promote more equitable, inclusive responses to substance use.
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Youth
Learn about factors influencing substance use in young people, including childhood trauma and brain development, and get tools to support adult allies in leading meaningful, evidence-informed conversations with youth. Content promotes early prevention, harm reduction and supportive environments for youth up to age 25.
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Substance Use and the Workplace
Substance use has a significant impact on the workplace, potentially affecting safety, productivity and employee well-being. Explore research on substance use in various industries. Resources support workplace leaders in building more supportive, stigma-free environments through practical strategies, improved approaches and initiative-taking education.
Latest CCSA Updates
Our Response: Why economists should like booze
As a research scientist in epidemiology and health economics, with a focus on alcohol and other substances, I found your article comparing alcohol non-users to free-riders to be light on fact and…
As a research scientist in epidemiology and health economics, with a focus on alcohol and other substances, I found your article comparing alcohol non-users to free-riders to be light on fact and…
