Safety and side effects

Medical marijuana use is generally considered safe. But different strains of marijuana have different amounts of THC. This can make dosing marijuana difficult.

Marijuana can cause:

• Headaches
• Dry mouth and dry eyes
• Lightheadedness and dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue

Other side effects may include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Disorientation
• Hallucinations
• Increased heart rate
• Increased appetite

Marijuana use impairs attention, judgement and coordination. Don't drive or operate machinery when using marijuana.

If you have a mental health condition, use marijuana with caution. Marijuana use might worsen manic symptoms in people who have bipolar disorder. If used frequently, marijuana might increase the risk of depression or worsen depression symptoms. Research suggests that marijuana use increases the risk of psychosis in people who have schizophrenia.

Smoking marijuana can affect your memory and cognitive function and cause harmful cardiovascular effects, such as high blood pressure. Long-term marijuana use can worsen respiratory conditions.

Marijuana has a central nervous system (CNS) depressant effect. As a result, marijuana use in combination with anesthesia or other drugs used during or after surgery might cause an additive effect. Don't use marijuana two weeks before planned surgery.