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Injury Prevention |
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What is marijuana ?
Marijuana is the dried flowering tops and leaves of the cannabis plant. Hashish is also from the cannabis plant, and is the resin secreted from the flowering tops of the plant. Hash oil is made from concentrating the hashish.
Some common names for marijuana are pot, grass, weed, joint,
Mary Jane, and hash.
Marijuana is an illegal drug
What are the effects?
The main chemical in marijuana is called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC works on parts of the brain linked to sensations, emotions and movement.
Common effects include relaxation, giggling, cravings for certain foods and dry mouth.
Marijuana increases sensations, for example, colours may seem brighter. Marijuana can distort the sense of space and time.
Coordination and balance are impaired. Marijuana use increases heart rate, dilates pupils and causes red eyes.
It may cause hallucinations (to see images, hear sounds, feel sensations that seem real but do not exist). It may cause a sense of being withdrawn, tearful, anxious and paranoid.
The effects may be different each time depending on the strength of the marijuana and amount that is smoked or eaten.
How is it used?
Marijuana is usually smoked, but it can be mixed into food and eaten, or brewed into a tea. When smoked, THC enters the blood through the lungs and goes to the brain.
The effects are felt within a few minutes and can last for a few hours. THC is absorbed into body fat. It is then released into the blood very slowly. It can take one month for THC to completely leave the body.
What are the risks related to marijuana?
There are health, safety and legal risks associated with marijuana use.
Health risks:
Because marijuana is illegal, it is produced without the protection of drug standards. Marijuana may contain other drugs, pesticides or fungus which are harmful to health and may cause different effects.
Teens who begin using drugs at an early age (aged 14 or younger) are more likely to develop a dependence and other problems later in life.
If marijuana use interferes with relationships with friends or family, or interferes with school, work or mental health, it is a problem - marijuana can lead to
addiction for some people:
- Stopping after using marijuana for a period of time may result in signs of withdrawal (aggressive behaviour, increased anxiety, restlessness, sleep disturbances, mood swings, and decreased appetite).
- Teens may know there is a problem but not know where to get help.
- If teens need help there are 24-hour phone lines as well as support, information and treatment services to call during business hours.
Safety risks:
Marijuana affects concentration, coordination, reaction time, balance, mood, and thinking ability.
Activities such as driving, or operating any other motorized vehicle, or playing sports when using marijuana may lead to injuries.
Legal risks:
Marijuana is illegal in Canada. It is a controlled substance in Canada under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
It is a criminal offence to import, export, grow, possess, sell, and give marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.
Using marijuana can result in arrest, a fine, imprisonment and a criminal record. The one exception is medical use under physician supervision outlined by the Marijuana Medical Access Regulations.
Having a criminal record can restrict the freedom to travel to other countries, prevent a person from entering certain professions, and make it difficult to find a job.
Teens, Alcohol & Marijuana: Stay a Step Ahead
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