Cannabis

The best way to avoid the negative health effects of cannabis is to avoid using the substance completely. However, if you are planning to use cannabis, you can reduce your risk by following some recommendations:

• Delay using cannabis
• Start with small amounts
• Wait for full effects to occur before increasing your dose
• Limit how often you use cannabis
• Do not mix cannabis with alcohol or other drugs
• Avoid mixing cannabis with tobacco as smoking these substances together increases the risk of lung problems including lung cancer
• Avoid driving or participating in dangerous activities after cannabis consumption, as it can affect your decision-making, judgement, and coordination
• Avoid smoking cannabis, and choose lower-risk modes of consumption (for example: ingesting)

For more information regarding cannabis use, please read:

• Canada’s Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines
• The Blunt Truth: Youth Friendly Guidelines

• Feeling “high” (euphoria), relaxation
• Impaired ability to remember, concentrate, pay attention and/or react quickly
• Feelings of anxiety, fear or panic
• Increase in appetite and heart rate  
• Decreases in blood pressure, balance and stability
• Cannabis use can also result in psychotic episodes, with symptoms of paranoia, delusions, hallucinations

Long-term effects develop gradually over time, with daily or near-daily (weekly) use that continues over months/years; effects appear to be worse if a person starts using early in adolescence.  

Long-term use of cannabis on your brain and health can result in:  

• Increased risk of cannabis dependence or addiction
• Difficulties with memory, concentration, ability to think and make decisions
• Risks to lung health, such as bronchitis, lung infections, chronic cough
• Development of mental health problems, including increased risk of depression, anxiety disorders 

There is no known safe amount of cannabis use in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Until further information about the potential harms is available, it is recommended that women stop using cannabis while they are pregnant and/or breastfeeding.

While there has been growing interest about the benefits of cannabis in treating some symptoms related to pregnancy such as nausea and vomiting, there is not enough evidence at this time regarding its effectiveness and/or that any potential benefits outweigh the growing body of evidence regarding the negative impacts on a baby’s pre- and post-natal development.

More information on cannabis use during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding is available from the following web sites:

• OMama
• The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada
• Government of Canada – Is cannabis safe during preconception, pregnancy and breastfeeding? Cannabis Evidence Brief

Where is cannabis sold?

People ages 19 and over are able to purchase cannabis online through the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) or through licensed provincial retail stores. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is the provincial regulator who authorizes store licenses. For more information on private retail stores, visit Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

Where can residents smoke cannabis?

• Private residences – this does not include residences that are also workplaces (e.g. long-term care and/or retirement homes)
• Some outdoor public places (e.g. sidewalks, parks) are subject to local bylaws which can restrict smoking of cannabis in certain shared outdoor public spaces. Check your local municipality for more information
• Designated guest rooms in hotels, motels and inns
• Residential vehicles and boats that meet certain criteria (e.g. have permanent sleeping accommodations and cooking facilities, and are parked or anchored)
• Approved scientific research and testing facilities (if cannabis use is for scientific research and testing purposes)
• Controlled areas (approved by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care) in:
• Long-term care homes
• Certain retirement homes
• Residential hospices
• Provincially-funded supportive housing
• Designated psychiatric facilities or veterans’ facilities

*Additional restrictions on smoking and vaping may exist in each municipality, lease agreements and the policies of employers and property owners. Visit your local municipality’s website for more information.

For additional information on proposed legislation and places of use for recreational cannabis, please visit ontario.ca/cannabis.

Is there a bylaw around odour?

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 does not address odour issues. Each municipality will have different bylaws. It is best to check your local municipality for more information.

Who can I contact regarding complaints or bylaw enforcement?

The Cannabis Act, 2018 contains the legal framework for controlling the production, distribution, sale and possession of cannabis across Canada.

The Regional Municipality of York, including Public Health, or individual municipalities, will enforce non-criminal requirements such as complaints around public consumption, odour and retail locations, as well as the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 which regulates where tobacco, vapour products and cannabis cannot be used.

In combination with the regulations set out in the act, York Regional Police, working alongside municipal, regional, provincial and federal partners, will be enforcing violations of the federal act and the provincial regulations. For more information, visit the Cannabis and Policing webpage.

What rights do tenants and homeowners have regarding smoking and growing cannabis in a rental property?

For information on tenant and homeowner rights and responsibilities regarding the smoking and growing of cannabis, please contact the Landlord and Tenant Board.

What does the city or town manage versus the Region?

York Region Public Health, Tobacco and Electronic Cigarettes Control Officers will enforce the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 which regulates the sale, supply, use, display and promotion of tobacco and vapour products including smoking and vaping of cannabis. All other matters relating to cannabis are under the jurisdiction of your local municipality or York Regional Police.

Places you cannot smoke or vape cannabis:

• Indoors
• Indoor common areas in condominiums, apartment buildings and university/college residences
• Enclosed public places and enclosed work places
• Non-designated guest rooms in hotels, motels and inns
• Schools and places where children gather
• At school, on school grounds and all public areas within 20 metres of these grounds
• On children’s playgrounds and public areas within 20 metres of playgrounds
• In childcare centres, or where an early years program is provided
• In places where home child care is provided – even if children aren’t present
• Hospitals, hospices, care homes and other facilities
• Within nine metres from the entrance or exit of hospitals (public/private), psychiatric facilities, long-term care homes, independent health facilities
• On outdoor grounds of hospitals (public/private) and psychiatric facilities
• Publicly owned spaces
• publicly owned sports areas (not including golf courses), nearby spectator areas and public spaces within 20 metres of these areas
• Vehicles and boats
• You cannot consume cannabis (smoking, vaping, eating) in a vehicle or boat that is being driven or is at risk of being put into motion.
• Other outdoor areas
• In restaurants and on restaurant  or bar patios and public areas within nine metres of a patio
• On outdoor grounds of specific Ontario government office buildings
• In reserved seating areas at outdoor sports and entertainment locations
• Grounds of community recreational facilities and public areas within 20 metres of those grounds
• In sheltered outdoor areas with a roof and more than two walls which the public or employees frequent, or are invited to (e.g. a bus shelter)

For additional information on proposed legislation and places of use for recreational cannabis, please visit ontario.ca/cannabis.