Safety Health Understanding Cannabis Resources

The Whole Picture on Health

Cannabis can impact your health—whether you smoke it, eat it, drink it, vape it, or dab it. While more research needs to be done, below are the health impacts we do know. Many of these impacts can increase with frequent and long-term use.

Health Impacts 

Using cannabis can impact your health and the health of others.

THC interacts with receptors in the brain to produce feelings of relaxation and euphoria. However, researchers say that when a person who uses is exposed to higher-than-usual doses of THC, it can also trigger anxiety, fear, and panic.

Cannabis can cause dizziness, changes in blood pressure and pulse rates, dry mouth, red eyes, and nausea and vomiting. It can also impact motor skills like coordination, reaction time, and balance. This makes driving more dangerous.

Like tobacco smoke, cannabis smoke contains harmful chemicals. It can lead to cancer and an increased risk of stroke in those over 55. Daily or near daily smoking is also associated with chronic bronchitis.

Long-term, daily use may cause CHS , an illness that causes recurring vomiting. If you’re experiencing CHS, contact your health care provider.

Cannabis smoke doesn’t just impact the person using it. Secondhand cannabis smoke contains cancer-causing chemicals, THC, CBD, pesticides, solvents, mold, heavy metals, and other harmful substances. More research is needed, but caution is recommended.

It’s a myth that cannabis isn’t addictive. While most people use cannabis without issue, some develop cannabis use disorder (CUD)—a condition that can make it harder to make decisions and function at work or school. Heavy cannabis users may experience withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, and sleepiness.

Panic attacks, paranoia, and hallucinations can be more common when using products with high THC levels and for individuals with a family history of mental health conditions.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are big life transitions—and every experience is unique. To protect you and your baby’s health, the CDC, the Surgeon General, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend avoiding cannabis during this time. Fully understanding the effects of cannabis on a fetus or baby has been difficult because of research limitations, and because those who use it often use other drugs, like alcohol and tobacco. However, here are four important things to know. You can also find a pregnancy and breastfeeding flyer in seven languages here.

Anxiety, depression, morning sickness, stress, pain, and insomnia can be hard during pregnancy. If you have these symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider about safe ways to manage discomfort that won’t harm your baby.

THC, the main psychoactive component in cannabis, can pass to your baby during pregnancy and breastfeeding—regardless of how it’s consumed. Babies exposed to THC can have problems with birth weight, feeding, paying attention, and learning.

Many cannabis products are synthetic, heavily processed, and not natural. These products, along with unregulated and untested hemp-derived products, pose unknown potential harm to you and your baby.

Using cannabis can impair your judgement, alertness, reaction time, coordination, and memory. You need these skills when caring for your baby, including being a safe driver. Secondhand marijuana smoke contains many of the same harmful, cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco smoke. Protect your health and your baby by choosing to keep your home completely smoke-free.

For help quitting cannabis, call the Washington Recovery Helpline at (866) 789-1511. If cannabis has been accidentally consumed, call your doctor or the Washington Poison Center at (800) 222-1222.

FAQs

For some people, cannabis can help treat or manage symptoms related to certain health conditions like cancer, HIV, and glaucoma. To learn more about medical cannabis, visit the Washington State Department of Health’s website or talk with your doctor.

In 2016, new laws were created around using cannabis for medical purposes. Doctors can authorize it for a patient if they have a condition that may benefit from the use of cannabis. Currently, mental health conditions (like depression and anxiety) and learning disabilities do not qualify as one of the authorized conditions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also not recognized or approved cannabis as medicine, but has approved two medicines containing synthetic (human-made or not from a plant) cannabis in pill form. To learn more about medical cannabis, visit the Washington State Department of Health’s website or talk with your doctor.

While all cannabis can impact your health, products that contain higher concentrations of THC—especially 35% or higher—increase the risks of negative effects both in the short – and long-term. High-THC products include shatter, wax, budders, oils, kief, and hash.

No. Regardless if cannabis is smoked, eaten, dabbed, or vaped, it contains THC. The THC is stored in fat cells and can transfer to your baby even if you pump and dump your breast milk. Babies who are exposed to THC can have problems with birth weight, feeding, paying attention, and learning. That’s why the CDC, the Surgeon General, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists all recommend that you avoid cannabis while pregnant or breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor about safer ways to manage symptoms during this time.

Just because cannabis is legal in Washington state, does not mean it is safe. Using cannabis can impact your mental and physical health. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you can transfer THC to your baby and impact their growth and development. Talk to your doctor for more information on the health and safety impacts of using cannabis.

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