Give yourself a break
Learn about moderation
The urge to indulge doesn’t mean you have to give in to old habits. Whether you decide to cut back on your cannabis use, shake things up with something new – like choosing edibles or products with lower THC – or holding off entirely until you’re over 25, you’re calling the shots. Not Herb.
Find your moderation plan
With herb, moderation is your friend.
It’s time to reset your THC tolerance.
Whether you’re consuming cannabis alone or taking edibles with friends, making time for a break can help keep it fun. Not only that, but by reducing your intake, you can ensure you don’t ‘ruin’ your tolerance and need to keep increasing potencies to get the same effects.
Studies show using only three or four times a month can reduce the risk of forming unhealthy habits. An easy way to help curb your use is only enjoying cannabis in social settings or using it only on weekends.
Give your lungs a breather.
If you find yourself reaching for your trusty bong or pre-rolled joint, maybe consider changing it up. Studies have shown products that are inhaled come with an increased risk to lung health and breathing issues. To give your respiratory system a break, try ingesting cannabis in another way. Like eating an edible or drinking cannabis-infused drinks.
Tell high potency products to chill.
Especially for new users, high potency cannabis products can greatly increase the chances of unwanted effects. If you’ve ever ‘greened out’ or gotten sick from cannabis, it was likely due to ingesting high-potency products. You can help curb your cannabis habits by going with low THC products instead. That goes for more experienced cannabis users, too. Lower THC products are a way to give your body a break and possibly ‘reset’ your tolerance for THC.
Your brain will be happy you waited.
By holding off on using cannabis until age 25, you’re giving your brain a chance to fully develop. People who use cannabis before turning 25 are at a greater risk of developing adverse health outcomes. Your memory may become affected, you may find it more challenging to stay focused on tasks like studying and work, and you could even put yourself at risk for mental health challenges. Learn more about using under 25.
Your cannabis questions.
Health Canada requires all cannabis products to show THC potency/concentration. If the product is solid (like flower/plant) then it will either be labelled in mg or %, but edibles will be labelled in mg.
You can learn more about how to read the label on legal cannabis.
It’s always a safer bet to start low and go slow with new products and potencies. Try a lower THC potency if you’re getting into a new type of cannabis product.
No amount of cannabis at any THC potency is considered completely free of risk. But high-risk cannabis is typically classified at 20% THC and above. Simply put, the lower the THC, the lower the risk to your health and the potential for unwanted effects.
Questions about medical cannabis are best directed to a medical practitioner like a certified cannabis nurse or your doctor. They’ll be able to put your cannabis question in the context of your own personal health. Because cannabis for medical use is regulated by Health Canada, you can learn more on the government of Canada website.
Nope! You can embrace moderation by changing up how you use cannabis, as well as how often you use. For example, switching things up by trying edibles or cannabis-infused drinks rather than smoking or vaping. You could also try cannabis products with lower THC to help keep your usage in check. Or even hold off on using cannabis at all until after the age of 25 (if you’re still under 25, that is). Learn more with our moderation tips.
There is no method of consuming cannabis that can be considered completely risk-free. But edibles and drinkables come with lower risks to lung health than inhalation products. However, the effects from edibles are very different and even experienced cannabis users can experience unwanted effects the first time they venture into the world of edibles.
Many research studies have shown that any high potency cannabis products (over 20% THC), no matter how they are used, come with an increased risk of negative health effects. Learn more about the different methods of consumption and health effects of cannabis.
Using cannabis fewer than four times a month is considered to be lower risk and the best choice for the overall health of recreational users. People who use fewer than four times a month are less likely to experience unwanted effects or develop Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). Studies show that frequency of cannabis use has a big impact on someone’s risk of experiencing negative health effects, and because every person is different, the amount they can consume safely will vary.
Yes. Moderation is based on each individual and their choices on how to minimize any unwanted effects. But the steps for moderation are the same for all users, including considering a lower THC product, reducing how often they use, and how they choose to use cannabis. Learn more with our moderation tips.
The simple answer is a doctor will consider their patient’s complete health, weighing effects, risks and an individual’s conditions before making recommendations on medical cannabis use. Recreational users will not have that same level of attention paid to their dosage and intake. The effects of cannabis vary widely from person to person and depend on potency, consumption method, age, experience with cannabis and any prescription drugs a user may be on. Learn more about medical cannabis and the risks associated.
