Parents, Know the Facts! – Cannabis (Marijuana)

MARIJUANA REFERS TO THE DRIED LEAVES, FLOWERS, STEMS, AND SEEDS FROM THE CANNABIS SATIVA OR CANNABIS INDICA PLANT.

The plant contains the mind-altering chemical THC and other similar compounds. Extracts can also be made from the cannabis plant. Marijuana is the most commonly used substance after tobacco and alcohol which leads to substance dependence. Its use is widespread among young people.

Forms of marijuana: herbal, hash/hashish and hash oil.

PARAPHERNALIA:

Smoking pipes, bongs, bubbler, hookah, rolling papers, tobacco blunts, grinders, roach clips, vaporizers, vape pens, and dabs.

SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF MARIJUANA

There is no safe level of substance misuse. Marijuana over activates parts of the brain that contain the highest number of these receptors. This causes the "high" that people feel. The following effects may be experienced:

Altered senses (for example, seeing brighter colours), severe anxiety, lowered reaction time, increased heart-rate, altered sense of time, changes in mood, impaired body movement, difficulty with thinking and problem-solving, impaired memory, hallucinations (when consumed in high doses), delusions (when consumed in high doses), psychosis.

WITHDRAWAL

Symptoms vary in intensity depending on the individual’s tolerance, overall health and metabolism, as well as the frequency and duration of substance misuse. The symptoms will begin within a day of abstinence. These symptoms then peak after 3-6 days and will subside within 2-3 weeks. These symptoms can include:

Irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, aggression.

LONG TERM EFFECTS

Adverse effects on memory and learning, cognitive impairments, respiratory issues, learning and problem-solving in children born to mothers who misused marijuana during pregnancy, mental health issues.