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

2017: cannabis
1970’s cannabis
contains
contained roughly
15-20% THC
1% THC
Get the Facts!
You hear…
It’s natural. If it When actually…
comes from a plant,
it must be safe Cannabis smoke has
cancer-causing toxins
that can cause
damage to the lungs
Cannabis will help When actually…
me focus in school Cannabis use can
cause decreased IQ,
concentration, and
poor memory
You hear…
It is safe to drive When actually…
after using
cannabis Users are 2x more
likely to have a car
crash while driving
impaired
Cannabis is safe When actually…
for anyone, no
matter what age Youth are at the
greatest risk of the
negative health effects

25
of cannabis because
the brain continues to
develop until age 25
You hear…
Police can’t tell if When actually…
you are high
The police have the
authority, ability and
tools to determine if
you are impaired by
illegal drugs
You hear…
Cannabis improves When actually…
my mental health
Teens who use
cannabis are at an
increased risk for
depression and
anxiety disorders
You hear…
You can’t get When actually…
addicted to Cannabis
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 Tha
mes Valley