News
EOHU Reminds Public about the Importance of Safely Storing Edible Cannabis Products
2019-10-17
The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) is advising the public that as of today, manufacturers can legally make the request to Health Canada to start producing new types of cannabis products. This means that legally purchased edibles, extracts, topicals and THC-based vapour products could be available to the public at the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) as early as mid-December.
Seeing as edible cannabis products can look like food or candy, they may be attractive to children and youth. Individuals who purchase or make their own edible cannabis products should therefore put in place the following preventive measures:
- Store them in child-proof containers
- Label the products to ensure others know what they contain
- Store them out of sight and out of reach, preferably in a locked area to keep them out of the hands of children or unsuspecting adults
“We’re taking this opportunity to remind the public that if they purchase or make cannabis edibles, they must pay close attention to where and how they store them,” says Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health at the EOHU. “Food or candy that contains cannabis can be very dangerous for children and pets.”
Individuals who are planning to purchase edible cannabis products from the OCS or make their own edibles should also keep in mind the following:
- Start low: Start with products that are lower in THC (a good starting point for a novice user is 2.5 mg of THC).
- Go slow: Wait before taking more edibles as it can take 30 minutes to 2 hours to feel the effects. This can reduce the risk of overconsumption, which can lead to an unpleasant experience.
- The effects of taking cannabis edibles can last much longer than smoking or vaping cannabis (12 hours and in some cases up to 24 hours).
For more information about cannabis, check out www.eohu.ca/cannabis or call 613-933-1375 or 1 800 267-7120.
