Department of Cannabis Control Brochure

High Potency

Consuming higher-potency THC products does

not mean a better cannabis experience.

Higher-potency THC products are harder to

control and come with a higher risk of adverse

effects. Using them often may cause

dependency in some people.

If you are new to cannabis, be careful with

higher-potency products like concentrates and

vape cartridges.

If you are buying cannabis, compare labels and

consider lower-potency products:

Flower with less than 20% THC

Edibles with close to 5mg THC per serving

(or consume half of a 10mg THC serving)

If you are inhaling cannabis, wait between puffs

until you feel the full effect.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

There are risks to your baby from using

cannabis. Your baby consumes what you do.

Do not use any cannabis if you are:

pregnant or may be pregnant

breastfeeding

This includes:

inhaling cannabis (smoking, vaping,

dabbing)

eating or drinking cannabis products

applying cannabis-infused creams or lotions

No matter how you consume

cannabis, THC and other

chemicals will be passed to

your baby through your

placenta and breastmilk.

If you use medicinal

cannabis, ask your doctor

about alternative treatments

during pregnancy or while

breastfeeding.

Effects of Cannabis Use

Wondering what to expect when using cannabis?

Cannabis has two major chemicals that affect the brain

differently:

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) makes you feel “high”.

How you feel depends on how much THC you take,

and the effects can vary from person to person.

CBD (Cannabidiol) doesn’t make you feel “high”, but

can have other effects.

The effects of using cannabis may include:

Trouble with thinking, remembering, and problem-

solving

Seeing or hearing things that aren’t real (with high

doses and/or high potency)

Feeling like time is moving slower or faster

Feeling relaxed or paranoid

Having mood swings

Having increased or decreased anxiety

Feeling dizzy

Having dry mouth or bloodshot eyes

Relieving pain and reducing nausea/vomiting

Impaired movement and coordination

Feeling hungry

Faster heartbeat or lower blood pressure

Edibles: Start Low, Go Slow.

Use extra caution, as the delayed onset of edibles can

have unintended effects. If you consume a cannabis

edible (like brownies, gummies, or an infused beverage),

it can take up to 2 hours to begin feeling the effects, and

up to 4 hours to feel the full effects. This is much slower

than smoking or vaping, and the “high” can feel stronger.

Start with a small amount of THC (5mg or less) and wait

at least 2 hours to see how you feel.

When consuming edibles, you can always

take more later, but you can’t take it back.

Drive high, get a DUI. Driving under the influence of

cannabis is illegal and increases your risk of getting into

an accident. Penalties for driving high are the same as

driving drunk.

Mental Health

There are potential risks to your mental health

from cannabis use.

Research suggests that mental health disorders

may develop or worsen from:

Daily cannabis use

Near-daily cannabis use

Higher-potency cannabis use

These types of use have been linked to Cannabis

Use Disorder, and may lead to:

Hallucinations

Thoughts of self harm

Schizophrenia

Suicide attempts

Depression

Suicide

Anxiety

Temporary psychosis

Minors and Young Adults

Our brains actively develop until around the age

of 25. Using cannabis regularly while younger

can cause long-term problems with thinking and

mental health.

Parents, be aware. Edibles and other cannabis

products can be mistaken for food or candy. Like

medications, you should keep cannabis products

in child-resistant packaging. Store and dispose

of cannabis products where they cannot be

easily seen or accessed by children and pets.

California Poison Control:

Animal Poison Control:

Dept of Cannabis Control:

Dept of Public Health:

(800) 222-1222

(888) 426-4435

cannabis.ca.gov

cdph.ca.gov

Revised 12/2024

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up-to-date information

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