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Contrary to popular belief,
they don’t all do it.
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But some do it a lot
and are in danger of hurting themselves,
their families and their future.
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Marijuana use among youth is on the rise:
Here are some facts that you – and your teen - should know.
- Marijuana is a green, brown or grey mixture of dried shredded flowers and leaves derived from the cannabis plant.
- Slang terms for Marijuana Include: Weed, Chronic, Pot, Mary Jane, Grass, Ganja, Reefer and many more…
- A gram is one about one twenty-eighth of an ounce. A typical tobacco cigarette is about a gram and a half.
- Most users roll the loose marijuana into a cigarette called a “joint” or, “spliff.” It can be smoked in pipes or bongs. It can be mixed into foods or used to brew tea. It can be used to replace the tobacco in cigars or cigarettes.
- The main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana is THC which affects parts of the brain linked to emotion, movement, perception and sensation.
- Marijuana smoke contains more than 400 chemicals. Some of these are same cancer causing chemicals found in tobacco smoke. The concentration of on cancer-producing agent, benzopyrene, in marijuana smoke may be even higher than in tobacco.
- Almost 65% of high school students did not use marijuana in the last year.
- Cannabis use increases with grade, from 3% among 7th graders to 46% among 12th graders. Use more than doubles from grade 8 to grade 9 (from almost 10% to 23%)
- About 3% of students (that’s 12% of cannabis users) report smoking on a daily basis.
- About one fifth (19%) of cannabis users use the drug on a weekly basis and an additional 12% use on a daily basis.
- About one in twelve (8%) of cannabis users report a dependence problem.
The Risks Associated with Marijuana
To the respiratory system
Smoking marijuana releases tar into the lungs in the same way that smoking tobacco does. There are more than 400 chemicals in marijuana smoke, some of which can affect the lungs, throat and esophagus.
Marijuana may cause chronic cough and chronic or recurring bronchitis.
To concentration and learning
Regular use of marijuana interferes with the ability to concentrate ad impairs learning and some aspects of memory. This can affect a person's studies and the quality of their work, in school or on the job.
Marijuana can temporarily take over the body’s key memory storage centre.
To coordination and safety
Marijuana slows down reflexes and decreases coordination and balance.
Any activity requiring concentration, good judgment, eyesight, coordination, timing or fast reactions may be dangerous for those who are high on marijuana.
Marijuana can pose serious safety risks while operating machinery, driving a car, or even crossing the street.
To mood and mental health
Some people become very fearful, anxious or depressed when they use marijuana.
In people that are at high risk for schizophrenia, such as those with a family history of the disorder, marijuana use may trigger psychotic episodes.
Dependency and Addiction
A growing number of marijuana users report problems with the drug—that it interferes with their relationships, school work and family. More than a third say they have tried to cut down on their use. Regular users of marijuana may become dependent, meaning they do not feel that they can function without marijuana an will, therefore, continue to use it despite the problems it is causing in their lives.
Legal Risks
Marijuana withdrawal symptoms include troubled sleep, irritability, anxiety, nausea, headaches, sweating and loss of appetite. These symptoms can last for 7 to 10 days.
Marijuana is currently a controlled substance in Canada under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). It is a criminal offense to export, import, possess, grow, sell, give or traffic marijuana or to possess marijuana for the purpose of trafficking. Such offences can result in a criminal conviction and carry a criminal punishment.
Convictions for any of these offences may result in a fine and /or punishment. A conviction can:
- Lead to deportation for immigrants
- restrict a person’s freedom to travel to other countries.
- ruin a person’s credibility when trying to find a job.
- prevent them from entering certain professions.
Changes to the legal status of marijuana have been proposed in previous sessions of parliament. However, at this time, the laws remain the same.
Each country has its own laws regarding drugs. Some of them are more sever than in Canada. If you break the law in another country you are subject to that country’s judicial system. Being Canadian doesn’t exempt you from those local laws. If you possess marijuana while travelling you can end up paying a fine, or spending time in jail.
The Risks Associated with Marijuana
Myth: Marijuana is natural so it’s safe
Just because a plant occurs in nature does not mean that it is safe!
Hydroponics and special soil-less growing techniques and lighting arrangements are being used in grow houses for the production of marijuana. In these grow operations, the marijuana seeds and plants are carefully chosen to produce higher levels of THC. A risk is that pesticides and herbicides are being used to reduce the threat of insect or other plant diseases. There is no quality control for marijuana growers so the pesticides and herbicides may not be eliminated properly which may cause illness among users. What also remains an unknown with marijuana is what it may be mixed with prior to sale. Users may be getting more—or less— than they pay for.
Myth: It is safe to use Marijuana when driving a car
Using marijuana when driving a car increases the risk of accidents and mixing them increases the risk even more. Any activity requiring concentration, good judgment, eyesight, timing, coordination or fast reactions may be potentially dangerous when high. Marijuana with alcohol is particularly dangerous. Marijuana can delay the peek affects of alcohol. People may choose to drive because they do not feel or appear to be drunk. Driving under the influence is a serious criminal offence.
Myth: The effects of marijuana disappear two to three hours after use
Most of the marijuana high wears off 2 to 3 hours after use, however, about half of the main drug THC remains in the blood stream twenty hours later. Once THC passes to the liver, the complex substance is converted into many other chemical compounds that tend to remain in the body for days. These chemicals accumulate for longer periods in fatty tissue and in the liver, kidneys, spleen and testes. The chemicals interfere with mental and physical functioning. This relates to the “burnt-out" feeling some users complain of.
Myth: Marijuana can’t be that bad because it’s prescribed for sick people
Marijuana that is prescribed by a physician and authorized for use by Health Canada is often referred to as “medical marijuana”. It is used for persons with debilitating symptoms from specific diseases such as multiple sclerosis, cancer and HIV/AIDS infections. Unlike other medications, however, Health Canada has not assessed marijuana as meeting the standards for safety and quality under the Food and Drugs Act. Just as other medications, like insulin or anti-depressants, are prescribed for particular medical conditions, having marijuana available for use under these circumstances does not mean it is safe for recreational use.
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