As Canada prepares for the impending legalization of cannabis, Canadians are asking questions about the health implications of marijuana use. And with new legislation coming out that permits cannabis to be smoked anywhere cigarettes can be, Canadians are wondering: what are the risks of second-hand cannabis smoke? Is it anything like second-hand cigarette smoke?
CBC asked our Medical Director, Dr. Michael Szabo, to join Matt Galloway on Metro Morning and discuss the issue.
Is there a risk from inhaling cannabis smoke?
In the interview, Dr. Szabo explains that, yes: for all intents and purposes, second-hand cannabis smoke should be considered similar to second-hand tobacco smoke in terms of health risk. Regardless of whether tobacco is present, there is a risk from breathing in smoke; the inhalation of combusted material is never safe.
And while vaping avoids combustion, therefore being lower risk than smoking, it is not completely free of risk either.
Dr. Szabo and Galloway also discussed the risks to young people smoking cannabis while their brains are still developing. According to Dr. Szabo, there is a risk of cannabis interfering with the brain maturation process under the age of 24, which is why it’s best to limit your cannabis use until you are older.
Crucially, Dr. Szabo believes we need to have open conversations with young people about the risks of cannabis use. Young people do want to learn, and they are open to new information when it’s presented to them in the right way. As marijuana becomes more easily accessible, Canadian parents will need to start having honest conversations with their children around cannabis use.
“The big question right now is all the long-term effects of people smoking cannabis,” Dr. Szabo concludes. “We don’t really know the answer to those questions yet.” But as cannabis becomes more readily available, Dr. Szabo adds, we will start to learn the answers to those questions over the next five to ten years—which is why it’s important to always stay informed with the latest health information.
You can listen to the full interview to find out more.
For more valuable health information, visit our Ask the Expert section.
