Vaping THC

Is THC legal?

Like cannabis, THC is a Class B drug. It is illegal to buy or sell it in the UK without a prescription.

You can be arrested and charged for having THC oil in your possession. You could get an unlimited fine, be sentenced to up to five years in prison, or both. If you give THC to someone else, you could get up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both.

There are also laws against drug driving, like there are for drink driving.

Risk and side effects of THC vaping

Spice and spiked vapes

If you vape THC, the biggest risk is not knowing what you are really using. As pure THC oil is very expensive, dealers often replace it with the cheaper drug spice. Spice is a synthetic cannabinoid that is made in a lab, and takes the form of powder, or a liquid that can be sprayed onto paper or dried plants. The liquid can also be used in vapes.

Spice can be up to 100 times as strong as typical cannabis, and can cause dizziness, chest pain, paranoia, anxiety and heart palpitations. More serious effects include seizures, psychosis, strokes and kidney failure. People have also died after taking spice.

It can be hard to tell what your vape liquid contains, but one clue is that THC oil is usually thick, like syrup. Spice-based vaping liquids tend to be thinner with a very brightly coloured, unnatural dye.

Additionally, some THC vaping liquids have nicotine added to them, which is highly addictive.

The risks of cannabis vaping

Even if you are vaping uncontaminated THC oil, there are still many unpleasant side effects and risks. For example:

It can irritate your airways and cause coughing and wheezing.

It can cause your blood pressure to drop.

It can increase your risk of lung and mouth cancers. 

You can get cravings and withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms include feeling irritable and sick, trouble with your sleep and diet, sweating, shaking and diarrhoea. 

It can affect your mental health. THC can affect your mood and emotional wellbeing in many ways, especially if you are taking a lot of it. It can contribute to:

• Memory and concentration problems.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Depression.
• Anxiety, paranoia, confusion and panic attacks.
• Making psychotic illnesses like schizophrenia worse, or leading to new ones.

Keeping yourself safe when vaping THC

There are ways you can reduce the risks of THC vaping:

Check your liquid. Without a chemical test, it is hard to tell if you are vaping spice or THC. If the liquid is very thin and/or a bright colour, this could be spice. Spice causes more extreme side effects, so stop using your vape if you experience dizziness, sickness, inability to move, heart palpitations or extreme anxiety.

Inhale small amounts and see how it affects you. Start slow and wait to feel the effects before you take any more. This is a good idea when taking any substance.

Don’t inhale deeply or hold the vapour in for too long. This can be harmful to your body. Four or five seconds is enough time to feel the effects of the THC.

Don’t mix THC with other substances. Mixing it with other substances, including alcohol, can cause unpleasant reactions. The Drugs and Me website has a good explanation of how THC interacts with other substances. 

Use THC somewhere you feel safe, with people you know and trust. If you feel unwell or anxious, they can make sure you are okay. If you feel ill or have a bad reaction, they can get help.

Don’t share vaping devices. This increases the risk of you using a spiked vape.

Use the correct charger. Vapes contain lithium-ion batteries which can cause fires if charged incorrectly.

Dispose of vapes correctly. Never put vapes in the bin as the batteries can catch fire. Depending on where you live, you may be able to take them to supermarket collection points, local recycling banks, or return them to the shop where you bought them. If you can remove the battery, you can recycle this separately.

Cutting down or quitting THC vaping

Any drug can become problematic. Addressing your THC use can help you to be happier, safer and healthier.

You can find lots of advice on this page: Tips for cutting down or stopping your drug use. 

Getting support with THC vaping

If you want to take steps to address your drug use, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. You’re not alone and there's nothing to be ashamed of. There is lots of help and support available.

There are more than 30 Change Grow Live services across the country that can support young people to manage their drug use – you can search for your local branch using our service finder. The services are free and confidential.

You can also talk to you doctor about how you’re feeling and speak to supportive family and friends if you can.