Warning against cannabis vaping

According to the Québec Cannabis Survey (CQS), in 2024, just under one in five people (18%) used cannabis in the 12 months before the survey. Of these, one in four (25%) did so by vaping, which represents 4.5% of the population. Furthermore, this method of use is more common among young people between the ages of 15 and 20. Note that among people who have vaped cannabis in the past year, 46.5% did so on less than one day per month, 26% on 1 to 3 days per month, 19% on 1 to 6 days per week and 9% vaped every day.

Vaping cannabis refers to inhaling an aerosol produced by heating a cannabis or cannabinoid liquid, without burning, using an electronic device. Devices for vaping cannabis are known under the following names: oil pen, vape pen, THC e‑juice, vaporizer, cart, cartridge, wax pen, pods, vaping pen, vape.

Vaping is associated with respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and mucus secretion. It could lead to acute pulmonary illnesses, such as vaping‑associated lung disease (VALD), which may require hospitalization. From 2019 to 2020, more than 2,800 cases of acute vaping‑associated lung illness were reported in the United States, and nearly 70 deaths were confirmed. In Canada, about twenty cases were recorded during the same period. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigation in the United States found that most cases were associated with the use of vaping products containing cannabinoids, particularly those from unregulated sources. Vaping can cause exposure to carcinogens and other potentially toxic substances. Furthermore, the long‑term effects of vaping are still poorly documented.

Products with a high THC content increase the risk of dependence, mental health disorders and overdose. According to the 2024 CQS, nearly one in two people (48%) who had vaped cannabis in the year before the survey did not know the amount of THC in the cannabis they mainly vaped. Considering that most cannabis vaping products from unregulated sources are very high in THC, this ignorance amplifies the health and safety issues.

The National Director of Public Health reiterates to the public that vaping cannabis (or cannabinoids such as THC and CBD) carries health risks. The best way to protect yourself is to abstain from using it. Those who already use it should buy legal products, as their quality is better controlled and their cannabinoid content is known.

Public health authorities are closely monitoring changes in consumption and new scientific data. They will, as needed, take the necessary measures to further regulate these products and limit the risks.

If you choose to vape cannabis, public health authorities strongly recommend that you take the following precautions:

• Monitor for symptoms of pulmonary illness (cough, shortness of breath, chest pain) and seek medical attention promptly if these symptoms occur
• Inform a health professional if you vape or have vaped in the past, specifying the devices and substances used to facilitate the assessment of symptoms and appropriate treatment
• Refrain from modifying vaping devices or mixing the liquids used
• Avoid any use not originally intended for the substances or devices used

To find out more, go to the pages Lower‑risk cannabis use and Health risks of cannabis use.