2. Curious about Cannabis?

3. 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
Middlesex-London Health Unit. (2017). Marijuana. Retrieved from
Pixabay. (n.d.). Cannabis Leaf. Retrieved from

4. 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
Pixabay. (n.d.). Marijuana. Retrieved from

5. 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 and 26.2% of young adults age 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
Foundation for a Dug-Free World. (n.d.). What is Marijuana? Retrieved from

6. Get the Facts!

7. 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
Pixabay. (n.d.). Lung. Retrieved from

8. 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
Pixabay. Human man (n.d.). Retrieved from

9. 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
Beirness, D.J., Porath-Waller, A.J. (2015). Clearning the smoke of cannabis- cannabis use and driving. Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. Retrieved from
Pixabay. (n.d.). Accident. Retrieved from

10. 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

11. 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
Pixabay. (n.d.). Sherlock. Retrieved from

12. 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
Cannabis-Use-during-Adolescence-Report-2015-en.pdf
Pixabay. (n.d.). Brain. Retrieved from

13. 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
Pixabay. (n.d.). Man. Retrieved from
Pixabay. (n.d.). Stick Man. Retrieved from

14. 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
Foundation for a Dug-Free World. (n.d.). What is Marijuana? Retrieved from
Pixabay. (n.d.). Sperm. Retrieved from
Pixabay. (n.d.). Heart. Retrieved from
Pixabay. (n.d.). Graduation. Retrieved from
Pixabay. (n.d.). Currency. Retrieved from

15. 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
Middlesex-London Health Unit. (2015). Get help- alcohol and other drug use. Retrieved from
Pixabay. (n.d.). Help Button. Retrieved from