What is greening out? Signs and what to do

What is greening out?

Greening out is an informal name for overconsumption: using more cannabis, or more THC, than you can comfortably handle. The Ontario Cannabis Store says the term is sometimes used for exactly that, and notes it is generally not life-threatening but can be very unpleasant. You won't find "greening out" as a clinical term. Health Canada talks about side effects, overconsumption and poisoning instead.

The "green" part is said to come from people looking pale or greenish when they feel sick. The meaning stuck: green out meaning is simply "had too much and feel awful". It can happen with any method, but it's most often tied to edibles, strong extracts, or taking a lot too fast.

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What are the signs of greening out?

The Ontario Cannabis Store's list of signs of too much cannabis includes drowsiness, confusion, restlessness, disorientation, poor coordination, fainting, dizziness, chest discomfort, an irregular or very fast or slow heartbeat, panic attacks, detachment from reality, paranoia, seizures, nausea and sweating.

Health Canada's page on the effects of cannabis separately lists fear or panic among short-term effects on the brain, paranoia as part of psychotic episodes, and an increased heart rate that can be dangerous for people with heart conditions. It also says lowered blood pressure can cause people to faint.

Most people who green out feel a few of these at once, not all of them. The first few are common and uncomfortable. The last row of the table is a different category, covered below.

Why does greening out happen?

The common thread is more THC than your body is used to. Health Canada says the higher the dose of THC you take, the more likely you are to have side effects. A few situations make that easy to do.

Edibles are the classic one. They take longer to work, so it's easy to eat more before the first dose has landed. Health Canada says effects from eating or drinking cannabis can start within 30 minutes to 2 hours, with the strongest effects after 2 to 4 hours. Our guide on how long a high lasts lays out the timing for each method.

Strong products are another. Health Canada advises avoiding hash, kief, wax and shatter, especially for new or occasional users, because their high THC content can cause greater impairment and serious adverse effects. Even ordinary flower can be strong: the THC percentage on the package is a good reason to read the label before you start.

Finally, taking a long, deep or repeated hit of a high-THC product, or being new to cannabis, can tip you over faster. How you react also varies from person to person. The Ontario Cannabis Store says the strength and length of effects depend on factors such as body weight, sex, food eaten beforehand and metabolic rate.

What should you do if you green out?

Health Canada's guidance for side effects is short: stop when you feel side effects, and don't take more. The rest comes from provincial retailer education and general harm-reduction practice, so treat it as common sense, not a medical protocol.

1. Stop consuming. Don't take more to "even out", and don't mix in alcohol.
2. Get somewhere calm and safe, ideally sitting or lying down, with someone you trust nearby.
3. Drink some water and have a snack. The Ontario Cannabis Store suggests both for non-emergencies.
4. Shift your focus. The Ontario Cannabis Store notes that concentrating on negative feelings can make them worse, so try music, a show or a chat with a friend.
5. Remind yourself that the feeling is temporary. The effects pass as the THC wears off.
6. Don't drive, bike or operate anything. The Ontario Cannabis Store advises against driving or operating heavy machinery for up to 24 hours after consuming.

If you're unsure whether you're okay, or the symptoms feel worse than "unpleasant", get advice rather than waiting it out. The next section covers who to call.

When should you call 911 or a poison centre?

Health Canada's poisoning page is written for children, and it doesn't give separate steps for adults. It lists vomiting, confusion, unresponsiveness, slurred speech, unsteadiness on the feet, drowsiness, slowed breathing and, rarely, seizures. It says to call 1-844-POISON-X (1-800-463-5060 in Quebec) and to call 911 if a child loses consciousness or has difficulty breathing. Tell them you suspect cannabis.

For adults, the Ontario Cannabis Store advises seeking immediate medical attention if you have chest discomfort, panic attacks, loss of contact with reality or seizures. The poison centre line is open to anyone with questions about a possible poisoning, including an adult who took too much. If someone is with you and you aren't sure, calling is a reasonable choice.

Children and pets need extra care. If a child may have eaten an edible, don't wait for symptoms to build. Call the poison centre right away.

How long does greening out last?

It depends on the method and the dose, not on anything you do to speed it up. The Ontario Cannabis Store describes the effects as generally temporary. Health Canada says that after smoking or vaping, you could feel effects for 2 to 4 hours. After eating or drinking cannabis, it says 4 to 8 hours, and it also warns you may still feel some effects, including impairment, up to 24 hours after any method.

That's why an edible can feel like a very long evening. Lying down somewhere comfortable and letting time pass is often the main thing you can do. For the full timeline, see how long a high lasts.

How do you avoid greening out?

Health Canada's rule is "start low and go slow". In practice, that means a few specific habits.

For smoking or vaping, Health Canada suggests starting with 1 or 2 puffs of a product with 10% THC (100 mg/g) or less, and waiting to feel the effects before taking more. Effects can appear within seconds to minutes, and full effects can take up to 30 minutes. If you use a vape, our vape pen guide explains what's in the cartridge.

For edibles, Health Canada suggests looking for products with 2.5 mg of THC or less per serving, noting that a package can hold up to 10 mg in total. The Ontario Cannabis Store says to wait at least two hours to see how it affects you before eating more. "Fast acting" edibles may act sooner, but the Ontario Cannabis Store says they tend not to last as long.

Know what you're taking. Check Total THC on the label, and if you're unsure how much a gram or an eighth is, our weed measurements guide helps. Pick products with lower THC and equal or higher CBD if you're new, as Health Canada suggests, and keep cannabis well away from kids and pets.

How do you get unstoned faster?

There's no proven way to sober up faster. People talk about water, snacks, a shower, fresh air or a nap, and these can make you more comfortable, but none of them is shown to make the THC leave sooner. Sources like the Ontario Cannabis Store frame it as getting through the feeling safely, not ending it.

Stay hydrated, eat something, find a calm spot and wait. Keep in mind that Health Canada says impairment can last up to 24 hours, so wait before driving even if you feel mostly normal.