Curious about Cannabis What is Cannabis Cannabis comes

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”

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

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

Get the Facts!

You hear… It’s natural. If it comes from a plant, it must be safe When actually… Cannabis smoke has cancer-causing toxins that can cause damage to the lungs

Cannabis will help me focus in school When actually… Cannabis use can cause decreased IQ, concentration, and poor memory

You hear… It is safe to drive after using cannabis When actually… Users are 2 x more likely to have a car crash while driving impaired

Cannabis is safe for anyone, no matter what age 25 When actually… Youth are at the greatest risk of the negative health effects of cannabis because the brain continues to develop until age 25

You hear… Police can’t tell if you are high When actually… The police have the authority, ability and tools to determine if you are impaired by illegal drugs

You hear… Cannabis improves my mental health When actually… Teens who use cannabis are at an increased risk for depression and anxiety disorders

You hear… You can’t get addicted to Cannabis When actually… 1 in 6 people who use cannabis during their teens will develop a cannabis use disorder

Have you thought about… • Cannabis use can cause – Lower grades and exam scores – Relationship problems – Financial difficulties – Sperm abnormalities

Harm-Reduction • Policies, programs and interventions that reduce negative health and social consequences of substance misuse without quitting the substance completely.

Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines

Medicinal Cannabis Effective for: • For the treatment for chronic pain in adults (cannabis) • Antiemetics in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (oral cannabinoids) • For improving patient-reported multiple sclerosis spasticity symptoms (oral cannabinoids)

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