Cannabis health concerns

By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter

Cannabis is a general term used to describe marijuana, hashish and hashish oil, which all contain the major psychoactive chemical delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
According to a cannabis fact sheet from Alberta Health Services (AHS), the drug generally has a depressant effect, it has the ability to increase a user’s heart rate much like a stimulant, and it has the rare but possible side effect of hallucinations when used in large doses.
During the Sept. 5 Strathmore town council meeting, an AHS delegation made a presentation covering topics such as land use, business licensing and public consumption with the objective of considering the health effects, a public health approach and AHS’s recommendations.
“There are two main messages about the health effects. The first is it is not benign, and there are established risks and harms associated with use, and the public does underestimate this,” said Dr. Jason Cabaj, a public health physician and medical officer of health with AHS.
Cabaj said health problems associated with cannabis will differ from other commonly used substances. In some people, there is the idea that because it is a “natural” product, it is safe to use regularly. However, Cabaj said as with all substances, there will always be risks with use.
According to the AHS fact sheet, the most common short-term effect of cannabis use is a “high,” a sensation similar to mild alcohol intoxication, and enhanced sensory perception and an increase in appetite.
Several physical effects can include a rapid heartbeat, red eyes, and dry mouth and throat. Use can also impair perception, judgment, balance, motor coordination and reaction times – making driving or operating machinery dangerous.
According to Cabaj, long-term effects can include damage to the lungs and respiratory problems since the chemicals in cannabis are similar to those in tobacco products. Low birth weights in children of pregnant users is also a risk. Long-term and heavy use can lead to anxiety, personality disturbances and depression. Users who have a genetic or biological disposition are at risk of developing schizophrenia and other psychosis.
“This also emphasizes the risk of considering all types of second-hand smoke, especially in enclosed spaces, and the very important consideration around the re-normalization of tobacco consumption,” said Cabaj. “That being said, we do have evidence around those impacts but there are a lot of unknowns around the short- and long-term impacts of cannabis use.”
Michele Fry, a program consultant with addiction prevention services, also spoke to town council regarding AHS’s recommendations.
“We know that cannabis and alcohol are often consumed together, and that simultaneous use roughly doubles the odds of impaired driving, social consequences and harm to self,” she said. “Regardless around what substance is causing the intoxication … in terms of just being intoxicated in public, there are issues and potential harms related to that.”
Poor health effects from cannabis use can also be seen in youth, according to a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) article published on Oct. 3 about a study by researchers from the University of Montreal. The study – a comparison between cannabis and alcohol use in youth – found compared to alcohol, consuming cannabis at a young age can lead to longer-lasting effects such as problems with cognitive abilities in learning, attention and decision making, working memory, reasoning, ability to control behaviour and poor academic performance in school.
Dr. Alison Clarke, a Strathmore doctor and current president of the Alberta Medical Association, said cannabis can hold some therapeutic benefits such as for treatment of pain and chronic pain, helping with sleep and anxiety, and improving pain and nausea in cancer patients. However, she said there is currently no consistency in cannabis production and dosages can vary even within the same batch, leading to a potential of causing more harm than good. She also cautions use of cannabis for treating anxiety because it can often make anxiety worse.
“In my own experience, I have seen some people develop mental health issues with it (cannabis),” she said. “The worse is psychosis; the developing brain is particularly vulnerable to this. There can be problems with anxiety and paranoia as well.”
Clarke added regular use can also lead to cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, severe vomiting which can affect marijuana users who smoke multiple times a day for months, years or even decades.
One benefit of legalizing cannabis is that it eliminates the criminal element and will provide a standard for production. Purchasing from a dispensary instead of from the street eliminates the risk of users encountering a product laced with other harmful substances.
“There is a lot of confusion and, unfortunately, we haven’t seen good public information campaigns that help people understand how this will impact their lives,” said Clarke.