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Do You Know... Cannabis Is cannabis addictive? · The constant intoxication associated with heavy One option to current laws is to “decriminalize,” which One in a series… It can be. cannabis use often reduces motivation for work and would reduce the legal penalty for possession of Alcohol Hallucinogens Do You Know... cannabis, and another is to “regulate,” giving cannabis study, although this usually returns when drug use Alcohol, Other Drugs Heroin People who use cannabis regularly can develop is stopped. a legal status similar to alcohol, with a legal but and Driving Inhalants psychological and/or mild physical dependence. · There is a possible association between heavy regular restricted source of supply available to adults. Amphetamines Ketamine People with psychological dependence crave the high. cannabis use and the onset of schizophrenia. It is Anabolic Steroids The drug becomes overly important to them, they not clear, however, whether cannabis use releases Canada’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act was LSD Benzodiazepines Street names: marijuana (grass, weed, pot, dope, ganja and may feel they need it, and if they can’t get it, they latent symptoms of schizophrenia, or whether people changed to permit the cultivation of industrial hemp Methadone Caffeine others), hashish (hash), hash oil (weed oil, honey oil) feel anxious. Long-term frequent use can lead to use cannabis to help them cope with the symptoms in 1998, and to provide access to marijuana for Cannabis Methamphetamine physical dependence. People who develop physical of an emerging psychosis. Evidence suggests that medical use in 2001. What is it? Opioids Cannabis dependence may experience a mild withdrawal continued cannabis use in people with schizophrenia Cocaine Cannabis sativa, also known as the hemp syndrome if they suddenly stop using cannabis. accentuates psychotic symptoms and worsens the Ecstasy Rohypnol plant, has been cultivated for centuries Symptoms can include irritability, anxiety, upset course of the illness. GHB Tobacco for industrial and medical use, and for its stomach, loss of appetite, sweating and disturbed · Chronic, heavy use of cannabis may impair people’s “psychoactive,” or mind-altering, effects. sleep. These symptoms generally last for a week attention, memory and the ability to process complex Marijuana, hashish and hashish oil all or so, although sleep problems may continue longer. information for weeks, months and even years after derive from the cannabis plant. they have stopped using cannabis. For more information on addiction and mental health issues, What are the long-term effects of using or a copy of this brochure, please contact the Centre for More than sixty-one chemicals, called cannabis? Cannabis and the law Addiction and Mental Health’s 24-hour Information Line: cannabinoids, have been identified as ONTARIO TOLL-FREE:1 800 463-6273 Healthy adults who occasionally use cannabis A first-time conviction for possession of 30 grams TORONTO: 416 595-6111 specific to the cannabis plant. THC in low doses are not likely to have any harmful or less of marijuana can result in a six-month jail sentence (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main To order multiple copies of this brochure, or other CAMH long-term effects. However, people who use cannabis or a $1,000 fine (or both) — and a criminal record, resource materials, please contact: psychoactive cannabinoid, and is most heavily or regularly, or people with certain medical which limits employment and travel. Subsequent Marketing and Sales Services responsible for the “high” associated with TEL.: 1 800 661-1111 or 416 595-6059 in Toronto or psychiatric conditions, risk the following possible convictions and possession of larger amounts can result E-MAIL: [email protected] marijuana smoke. long-term effects: in more severe penalties. A first offence of possession To make a donation, please contact: · Cannabis smoke contains tar and other known of small amounts of cannabis usually results in a fine Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation Hemp grown for industrial use has very low cancer-causing agents. People who smoke cannabis or discharge. In 1995, 31,299 people were arrested TEL.: 416 979-6909 levels of THC. Hemp fibres are used to make E-MAIL: [email protected] often hold unfiltered smoke in their lungs for for possession of small amounts of marijuana; this was rope, fabric and paper. Hemp seeds are high maximum effect. This adds to the risk of cancer. about half of all drug arrests in Canada for that year. If you have questions, compliments or concerns in protein and yield an oil with nutritional about services at CAMH, please call our · Smoking cannabis irritates the respiratory system. In an ongoing debate lasting many years, various Client Relations Co-ordinator at: and industrial value. Chronic marijuana smoking has been linked to government, health, police, policy and legal groups TEL.: 416 535-8501 ext. 2028 bronchitis. One study estimated that three to four have suggested that criminal punishment for the Visit our Web site at: www.camh.net joints per day causes the same damage as smoking possession of cannabis is too severe, and that our Copyright © 2003 Centre for Addiction and Mental Health 20 or more tobacco cigarettes. laws do not reflect the practice of our police and legal system. A Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization Collaborating Centre Affiliated with the University of Toronto Disponible en français 2502 / 11-03 P254 Many claims about the medical uses of marijuana Marijuana, hash or hash oil are sometimes mixed How does cannabis make you feel? Smoking larger amounts may intensify some of the Is cannabis dangerous? have not been scientifically proven; however, research with tobacco, and are most often rolled into a cigarette How cannabis affects you depends on: desired effects but is also more likely to produce While no one has ever died of a cannabis overdose, has shown that THC and other pure cannabinoids can called a joint, or smoked in a pipe. Cannabis is an unpleasant reaction. Too high a dose may result those who use cannabis should be aware of the relieve nausea and vomiting and stimulate appetite. sometimes cooked in foods, such as brownies, or · how much you use in feelings of losing control, confusion, agitation, following possible dangers, and take measures to This can help people who have AIDS or who take drugs made into a drink. · how often and how long you’ve used it paranoia and panic. Pseudohallucinations (seeing avoid them: used to treat cancer. Further research is needed to · whether you smoke it or swallow it things such as pattern and colour that you know are establish the medical value of marijauna in relieving Synthetic THC (dronabinol) is produced under the · your mood, your expectations and the environment not real) or true hallucinations (where you lose touch · Cannabis impairs depth perception, attention span pain, reducing muscle spasms and controlling some trade name Marinol®. A related synthetic cannabinoid you’re in with reality) can occur. and concentration, slows reaction time, and decreases types of epileptic seizure. (nabilone) is sold as Cesamet®. Both are prescribed · your age muscle strength and hand steadiness — all of which to people who have cancer or AIDS. · whether you have certain pre-existing medical or The physical effects of cannabis include red eyes, may affect a person’s ability to drive safely. Where does cannabis come from? psychiatric conditions dry mouth and throat, irritated respiratory system · Cannabis and alcohol, when taken together, intensify Cannabis is native to tropical and temperate climates, Who uses cannabis? · whether you’ve taken any alcohol or other drugs (from smoking) and bronchodilation (expansion of each other’s effects and can cause severe impairment. but is cultivated around the world. Modern illicit growing Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug (illicit, prescription, over-the-counter or herbal). breathing passages). Appetite and heart rate increase, · Cannabis intoxication affects thinking and short-term operations use sophisticated methods to produce high in Canada (after alcohol and tobacco use by minors). while blood pressure, balance and stability decrease. memory. Using cannabis while at school or work may potency marijuana. However, most cannabis use is infrequent and When people first try cannabis, they often feel Cannabis may cause drowsiness or restlessness, interfere with learning or work performance. experimental. no psychoactive effect. With repeated use, however, depending on the amount taken and individual · Unless you have a medical exemption, it is illegal to People with a medical exemption from Health Canada these effects are felt. response to the drug. grow, possess or sell cannabis. may grow their own supply or designate someone to A 2000 study reported that 35 per cent of Ontarians · Illicit cannabis products are not subject to any health grow it for them. Research-grade cannabis is grown over the age of 18 had used cannabis at some point People can have very different experiences with How long does the feeling last? and safety standards, and may be contaminated with by a producer appointed by the federal government. in their life, and 11 per cent of those who had used cannabis. Some may feel relaxed, lively, talkative When cannabis is smoked, the effect is almost other drugs, pesticides or toxic fungi. it did so in the past year. A 1994 Canadian study and giggly, while others feel tense, anxious, fearful immediate and may last several hours, depending · Large doses of potent cannabis, especially when What does cannabis look like? reported that about two per cent of the people surveyed and confused. What’s more, the kind of high a on how much is taken. When swallowed, the effect swallowed, can cause “toxic psychosis.” Symptoms Marijuana is the dried flower buds and leaves of the used cannabis once a week or more. person has can vary from one drug-taking episode is felt in about an hour, and lasts longer than when include auditory and visual hallucinations, paranoid cannabis plant.
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