Edible Cannabis Products Available in Ontario

Monday, 6 January 2020 15:15

Southwestern Public Health provides some tips to practice less risky use of edibles, now that they are available for legal purchase in Ontario.

OXFORD COUNTY - For the first time in history, edible marijuana products are legally available for purchase in Ontario today.

The Province is offering limited edible products at the licensed shops in the Province. A couple of things to keep in mind for anyone using the drug today. Eating cannabis, offers a different high, than from smoking or vaping it. It can be much more extreme and even lead to a hospital visit if you consume too much.

Public Health Nurse at Southwestern Public Health Courtney Cook says there are some tricks to follow.

"We have 6 tips to practice less risky use for edibles, they are properly storing your edibles, reading the labels before use, starting with low concentrations of THC, going slow so waiting to feel the effects before taking more, not mixing Cannabis edibles with things like alcohol, and always buying Cannabis edibles from a legal retailer."

Cannabis is the most commonly used substance in both Oxford and Elgin/St. Thomas, aside from alcohol and tobacco. It is used for medical, non-medical and cultural purposes.

Southwestern Public Health is reminding anyone using edibles to make sure to read the labels carefully. Always start by ingesting a small amount. They also recommend purchasing from a licensed retailer, and avoid using multiple substances.

Cook explains how to keep it away from children and pets.

"We always recommend labelling it as Cannabis, if you do purchase legal product it comes with a Cannabis label already on it. You can also put in a lock box or on shelving that is out of reach and out of sight from children and pets, those are the suggestions we make but Health Canada did make sure that all cannabis products come in child safe packaging."

You can find more information about public health tips for less risky use of cannabis online here.