Curious about Cannabis?

What is Cannabis? Cannabis comes from the cannabis plant Usually green/brown/grey coloured THC is the main ingredient that causes the “high” -Cannabis comes from the dried flower buds and leaves of the cannabis plant (Cannabis Sativa) -”The effects of cannabis include euphoria and relaxation, changes in perception, time distortion, deficits in attention span and memory, body tremors, and impaired motor functioning” (Beirness & Porath-Waller, 2015) References: Beirness, D.J. and Porath-Waller, A.J. (2015). Clearning the smoke of cannabis- cannabis use and driving. Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. Retrieved from http://www.ccsa.ca/Resource%20Library/CCSA-Cannabis-Use-and-Driving-Report-2015-en.pdf Middlesex-London Health Unit. (2017). Marijuana. Retrieved from https://www.healthunit.com/marijuana Pixabay. (n.d.). Cannabis Leaf. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/cannabis-leaf-pot-weed-marijuana-297097/

How is it used? Cannabis can be: smoked as a cigarette (joint) Smoked in a dry pipe or water pipe (bong) Mixed with food and eaten References: Foundation for a Dug-Free World. (n.d.). What is Marijuana? Retrieved from http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/marijuana.html Pixabay. (n.d.). Marijuana. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/marijuana-medical-weed-mj-cannabis-2248066/

1969 until the late 1970’s cannabis contained roughly 1% THC The Rise of THC delta-9-tetra-hy-dro-can-nab-i-nol 1969 until the late 1970’s cannabis contained roughly 1% THC 2017: cannabis contains 15-20% THC -Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Canada -10.6% of Canadians age 15 and older report using cannabis at least once in the last year (statistics Canada, 2015). -Cannabis use is more prevalent among youth with 22.4% of youth age 15-19 and 26.2% of young adults age 20-24 reporting past year use. References: Beirness, D.J., Porath-Waller, A.J. (2015). Clearning the smoke of cannabis- cannabis use and driving. Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. Retrieved from http://www.ccsa.ca/Resource%20Library/CCSA-Cannabis-Use-and-Driving-Report-2015-en.pdf Foundation for a Dug-Free World. (n.d.). What is Marijuana? Retrieved from http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/marijuana/it-s-background.html#alcohol

Get the Facts!

You hear… When actually… It’s natural. If it comes from a plant, it must be safe Cannabis smoke has cancer-causing toxins that can cause damage to the lungs References: Middlesex-London Health Unit. (2016). Marijuana- myths and facts. Retrieved from https://www.healthunit.com/myths-and-facts Pixabay. (n.d.). Lung. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/lung-nonsmoker-organ-157599/

When actually… Cannabis will help me focus in school Cannabis use can cause decreased IQ, concentration, and poor memory References: Government of Canada. (2017). Health effects of cannabis. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-abuse/controlled-illegal-drugs/health-risks-of-marijuana-use.html Pixabay. Human man (n.d.). Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/human-male-profile-man-a-i-ai-2099157/

You hear… When actually… It is safe to drive after using cannabis Users are 2x more likely to have a car crash while driving impaired Cannabis use significantly impairs judgement, decision making, coordination and reaction time. Driving while high puts you, your passengers and the public in danger. Among young drivers, driving after using cannabis is more prevalent than driving after drinking. After alcohol, cannabis is the most commonly detected substance among drivers who die in traffic crashes. References: Canadian Centre on substance Abuse. (2015). The effects of cannabis use during adolescence. Retrieved from http://www.ccsa.ca/Resource%20Library/CCSA-Effects-of-Cannabis-Use-during-Adolescence-Report-2015-en.pdf Beirness, D.J., Porath-Waller, A.J. (2015). Clearning the smoke of cannabis- cannabis use and driving. Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. Retrieved from http://www.ccsa.ca/Resource%20Library/CCSA-Cannabis-Use-and-Driving-Report-2015-en.pdf Pixabay. (n.d.). Accident. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/accident-car-collision-crash-151668/

25 When actually… Cannabis is safe for anyone, no matter what age Youth are at the greatest risk of the negative health effects of cannabis because the brain continues to develop until age 25 25 References: Government of Canada. (2017). Health effects of cannabis. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-abuse/controlled-illegal-drugs/health-risks-of-marijuana-use.html

You hear… When actually… Police can’t tell if you are high The police have the authority, ability and tools to determine if you are impaired by illegal drugs References: Middlesex-London Health Unit. (2016). Marijuana- myths and facts. Retrieved from https://www.healthunit.com/myths-and-facts Pixabay. (n.d.). Sherlock. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/sherlock-holmes-detective-147255/

You hear… When actually… Cannabis improves my mental health Teens who use cannabis are at an increased risk for depression and anxiety disorders There is a connection between marijuana use and Schizophrenia References: Canadian Centre on substance Abuse. (2015). The effects of cannabis use during adolescence. Retrieved from http://www.ccsa.ca/Resource%20Library/CCSA-Effects-of-Cannabis-Use-during-Adolescence-Report-2015-en.pdf Cannabis-Use-during-Adolescence-Report-2015-en.pdf Pixabay. (n.d.). Brain. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/brain-business-credit-intelligence-1294854/

You hear… When actually… You can’t get addicted to Cannabis 1 in 6 people who use cannabis during their teens will develop a cannabis use disorder Continued use will build up tolerance, leading to the need for stronger drugs to achieve the same high. References: Canadian Centre on substance Abuse. (2015). The effects of cannabis use during adolescence. Retrieved from http://www.ccsa.ca/Resource%20Library/CCSA-Effects-of-Cannabis-Use-during-Adolescence-Report-2015-en.pdf Pixabay. (n.d.). Man. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/man-boy-male-black-stick-figure-296526/ Pixabay. (n.d.). Stick Man. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/stick-man-blue-figure-person-297737/

Have you thought about… Cannabis use can cause Lower grades and exam scores Relationship problems Financial difficulties Sperm abnormalities Other things to consider: -potential development of opioid use -intimate partner violence -anti-social behaviour including stealing money or lying -increased reliance on social assistance for financial needs -greater chances of being unemployed or not getting good jobs -decreased sperm count, motility, and increased abnormal sperm References: Health Canada. (2016). Consumer information- cannabis. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medical-use-marijuana/licensed-producers/consumer-information-cannabis-marihuana-marijuana.html Foundation for a Dug-Free World. (n.d.). What is Marijuana? Retrieved from http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/marijuana.html Pixabay. (n.d.). Sperm. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/sperm-cell-reproductive-34808/ Pixabay. (n.d.). Heart. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/heart-broken-heart-separation-1966018/ Pixabay. (n.d.). Graduation. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/graduation-black-cap-education-303565/ Pixabay. (n.d.). Currency. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/currency-dollar-sign-icon-money-2022440/

Need Help Have concerns about your or a friends cannabis use? Talk to your health care provider Visit your School Nurse Addiction Services of Thames Valley Talk to your doctor about: •how much you are drinking or using drugs •ways to reduce your risks •what resources may be available to you in your community References: Addiction Services of Thames Valley. (2017). Addiction Services of Thames Valley. Retrieved from http://adstv.on.ca/ Middlesex-London Health Unit. (2015). Get help- alcohol and other drug use. Retrieved from https://www.healthunit.com/get-help-now Pixabay. (n.d.). Help Button. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/help-button-red-emergency-support-153094/