CANNABIS
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CANNABIS
Version 1 - Published: June 2024 - Review Due: June 2025 - Charity No. 1051757
Everything you need to know about...
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CODE FOR MORE
INFORMATION ON
OUR WEBSITE
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What is cannabis?.................................................................1
How is it used?.......................................................................1
How does cannabis make you feel?...................................2
Physical Health Risks...........................................................3
Mental Health Risks.............................................................4
Cannabis Addiction and Dependence...............................5
The Law Around Cannabis..................................................6
Your Experience On Cannabis Depends On......................7
Useful Contacts / Getting Help..........................................8
References.............................................................................9
CONTENTS
Some people smoke cannabis by mixing it
with tobacco and putting it in a pipe, lighting
it and then inhaling the smoke. There are
many different types of bongs.
WHAT IS CANNABIS?
Cannabis comes from cannabis plants, and cannabis can come in
different variations. These include ‘weed’ (dried out cannabis
leaves), ‘skunk’ (name for particular strains that are very strong),
‘hash’ (cannabis resin), ‘cannabis oil’, and ‘dab / shatter’ (highly
concentrated forms of cannabis in the form of a solid ).
HOW IS IT USED?
Most people who take cannabis will mix it
with tobacco and roll it into a cannabis
cigarette known as a ‘spliff’ or joint. Some
don’t use tobacco at all..
Some people take cannabis by making ‘edibles’ you
can eat or drink. People do this by mixing cannabis
into cakes / brownies / tea / sweets etc. Effects of
consuming edibles are unpredictable as the amount
of cannabis in them can vary / they are easily spikes
with other substances if bought online.
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Some people vape cannabis. Very little is
known about the health impacts, and illegal
vapes may contain synthetic cannabinoids.
EFFECTS
RISKS
May feel happy
May feel lethargic
May feel giggly and chatty
May become unmotivated
May feel chilled out
May become paranoid and
anxious
HOW DOES CANNABIS
MAKE YOU FEEL?
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The effects of cannabis can vary massively, mainly due to the
different ways that cannabis can be taken. Additionally, the two
components that make up cannabis (THC and CBD) play a big
role. THC is the main psychoactive compound found in cannabis,
whereas CBD is thought to make users feel less anxious and
paranoid. CBD on it’s own can be used for medicinal purposes.
(see ‘Your experience on cannabis depends on...’ for different
factors that can affect this).
Cannabis can also make users feel hungry, known as
‘the munchies’. Additionally, cannabis can make
some individuals feel sick, known as a ‘whitey’.
Again, it is really important to remember that not
everyone’s experience of cannabis is the same, and
there are so many factors to be cautionary over.
Increased
heart rate
Reduce sperm
count
(affecting
ability to have
children)
Painful
coughing
Although stopping the
use of cannabis can help,
sometimes the damage
can be so serious that it
has caused cancer, in
which treatment will be
needed.
R
SI
L
IS
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PHYSICAL HEALTH RISKS
Cannabis is the most common substance that Young people
come to substance misuse treatment for in the UK (GOV.UK,
2024). Cannabis is extremely addictive with a huge range of
health risks.
I
If you
experience
any of these
symptoms
and are a
cannabis
user, consult
your GP and
let them know
you use
cannabis. It’s
never to late
to get help.
Worsen
asthma
Increased
blood
pressure
Lung cancer
Suppress
ovulation
(affecting
ability to have
children)
Impaired
memory
Mood swings
Increase
chances of
developing
schizophrenia
L
R
IS
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MENTAL HEALTH RISKS
As with any drug (defined as ‘a substance which has a
physiological effect when ingested or introduced into the body’),
cannabis alters your brain from it’s natural state which in turn
will effect your mental health.
Depression
Affected
motivation
Disturbed
sleep
see ‘Useful Contacts’ if you are struggling with your mental
health
Anxiety
Panic
attacks
Paranoia
Hallucinations
Mental
health
relapses
DEPENDENCE = When the body physically relies on a drug.
Individuals using cannabis every day over a prolonged period are
at risk of developing a tolerance to the effects of cannabis. This
means that more of the drug has to be taken in order to feel the
desired effects. This puts the individual at risk of developing a
cannabis dependency (when withdrawal effects can start to
appear).
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CANNABIS ADDICTION
AND DEPENDENCE:
ADDICTION = Defined as compulsive substance abuse despite
negative consequences.
Cannabis is an addictive substance, mainly due to how THC
alters the way dopamine (what makes you feel happy) is
released. Tolerance to cannabis builds up very quickly therefore
higher doses are needed to achieve the desired effects, which
puts the individual at risk of becoming addicted.
Feeling moody and irritable
Feel sick
Struggle sleeping
Struggle eating
Sweating
Shaking
Diarrhoea
Anxiety
Depression
If any of these statements
apply to you and you use
cannabis, you may be
addicted and at risk of
developing a dependence.
It is never too late to get
help. See ‘Useful Contacts’
for how to access help that
suits you.
Maximum penalty for
possession
Maximum penalty for
supply and production
Class A
Up to 7 years in prison,
an unlimited fine or both.
Up to life in prison, an
unlimited fine or both.
Class B
Up to 5 years in prison,
an unlimited fine or
both.
Up to 14 years in prison,
an unlimited fine or
both.
Class C
Up to 2 years in prison,
an unlimited fine or both.
Up to 14 years in prison,
an unlimited fine or both.
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THE LAW AROUND
CANNABIS
Cannabis is a Class B Drug, meaning that it is illegal to be found
carrying or using the drug (known as ‘possession’). It is also
illegal to give away or sell cannabis (known as ‘supply’), and is
considered a more serious offence.
Cannabis comes under the
discretionary warning scheme,
meaning a police officer can chose to
issue you with a street warning only.
Scan the QR code to find out more.
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YOUR EXPERIENCE ON
CANNABIS DEPENDS ON
Not every person is going to experience drugs in the same way.
Factors that affect your experience on cannabis include:
How much of the drug you have taken,
and the amount of time between taking
more of the drug.
Your physical size, and if you have
eaten or drank anything before taking
the drug.
Environment and people. You’re likely to
have a bad experience if you’re in an unsafe
environment with people you don’t trust.
Any other drugs you have taken. Mixing
drugs is extremely risky, but some
mixtures are more dangerous than others.
THC vs. CBD. How much of each found in
the cannabis will ultimatley affect the
‘high’.
The Zone
Free confidential information and support for Young People:
01752 206626 - www.thezoneplymouth.co.uk
Harbour
Support for substance misuse:
01752 434343 - www.harbour.org.uk
Sharp
Support for substance misuse (young people up to age 18):
01752 434343 - THCPLTD.SHARP@nhs.net
www.harbour.org.uk/find-services/young-people
FRANK
Honest information about drugs:
0300 123 6600 - www.talktofrank.com
Youth Hub
Support for 16 - 24 year old's in developing skills, training,
education, careers and jobs in Plymouth:
www.skillslaunchpadplym.co.uk
Re-Solv
UK's solvent abuse charity:
01785 817885 - www.re-solv.org
Substance
Misuse
Resources
Harm reduction advice and information:
www.substancemisuseresources.co.uk
We Are With
You
Free confidential support on drugs, alcohol, mental health:
www.wearewithyou.org.uk
Narcotics
Anonymous
Information, support and advice on drug addiction:
0300 999 1212 - www.ukna.org
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USEFUL CONTACTS /
GETTING HELP
If you are in need of urgent help, call 999. Otherwise, these
contacts offer advice and help for issues related to
substance use and misuse in and around Plymouth.
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