Think You Know Weed? Here Are Some Things You Might Not Know About Cannabis

It’s time to clear the smoke.

This article is presented in partnership with Drug Aware.

If you are struggling to reduce or quit your cannabis use, or know someone else who is, you can call a qualified and confidential alcohol and other drug counsellor at the Alcohol and Drug Support Line.

Pot, dope, weed, gunja—whatever you want to call it.

You might have tried it before, know someone else who uses it, or hear your peers discussing the drug.

In partnership with Drug Aware, we’re here to set the story straight about weed and explore some facts about the well-known drug. You can find more information about the drug on the Drug Aware website.

1. Cannabis is not harmless.

With the debate to legalise marijuana in Australia and an uptick in products that use ‘hemp’ as a medicinal ingredient, you might think using cannabis won’t affect your health.

Actually, there are a number of possible health risks associated with short and long-term use.

Short term effects can include perceptual alterations and hallucinations, increased heart rate, loss of concentration and impaired memory, balance and coordination. Using cannabis can also cause confusion, restlessness, anxiety and panic attacks.

Possible long-term effects of regular cannabis use can include some serious stuff. Impaired lung function and respiratory disorders (bronchitis and asthma), heart disease and cancer.  You are at greater risk of harm if you also have a personal or family history of lung or heart conditions.

2. Cannabis can have an addictive effect.

While it’s more common to get hooked on drugs like alcohol, it is possible to become dependent on cannabis. According to research, people who use cannabis once a week or more have a 1 in 3 chance of developing cannabis dependence.

If you or someone you know requires support for their drug use, including if you are wanting to reduce or stop using,  you can call a qualified and confidential alcohol and other drug counsellor at the Alcohol and Drug Support Line or chat to them by clicking the live chat button in the top left-hand corner of the screen.

3. Using cannabis in your youth can negatively affect your future.

Young people who begin using cannabis regularly in adolescence have been shown to experience a number of setbacks in their lives.

Evidence has shown these young people might have lower educational attainment and be more prone to dropping out of school, more likely to use other illicit drugs, and can have increased risk of mental health issues, including depression, self-harm and suicide.

To help young people reach their full potential, it’s best to delay using cannabis for as long as possible while the brain is still developing until the mid-20s.

4. Getting “high” isn't a good experience for everyone.

The effects of using cannabis are different for everyone. This is because drug use is all about how the drug, the person using it and the environment around them interact.

Whether you have pre-existing mental health issues or not, using cannabis may not elicit a calming ‘chill’ sensation for you. Some people get paranoid (fearful or suspicious), worried or restless.

You are also at increased risk of developing long-term mental health issues from regular cannabis use, including schizophrenia and psychosis, depression and anxiety.

5. It is illegal to drive while high.

Just like driving under the influence of alcohol, you absolutely cannot drive while under the influence of cannabis.

In Western Australia, it is against the law for anyone to drive whilst under the influence of an illicit drug as per the Road Traffic Act 1974.

Why? People who are affected by cannabis can have slower reaction times, information processing and impacted perceptual-motor coordination.

If you’re driving under the influence of cannabis, you are at double the risk of having a car accident.

When it comes to cannabis, check the facts, inform your peers and yourself. You can find out more at Drug Aware.