Cannabis AUSTRALIAN DRUG FOUNDATION
04 HOW DRUGS AFFECT YOU
This pamphlet is part of the “How Drugs Affect You� series. It aims to provide the facts about cannabis for anyone interested in understanding more about this drug. It has been written for the general public, including employees, employers, health professionals and their clients.
Other titles in this series include alcohol, amphetamines, analgesics, benzodiazepines, caffeine, cocaine, drugs and their effects, ecstasy, GHB, hallucinogens, heroin, ice, inhalants, ketamine and tobacco.
04 HOW DRUGS AFFECT YOU
What is cannabis? Cannabis is a drug that comes from Indian hemp plants such as Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica. The main active chemical in cannabis is THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol). Cannabis is a depressant drug. This means it slows down the activity of the central nervous system and the messages going between the brain and the body. Depressant drugs do not necessarily make a person feel depressed. When large doses of cannabis are taken it may also produce hallucinogenic effects. Other names Grass, pot, hash, weed, reefer, dope, herb, mull, buddha, ganja, joint, stick, buckets, cones, skunk, hydro, yarndi, smoke and hooch.
What it looks like There are three main forms of cannabis: marijuana, hashish and hash oil. Marijuana is the most common and least potent form |of cannabis. Marijuana is the dried leaves and flowers of the plant. It looks like chopped grass and ranges in colour from grey-green to greenish-brown. Its texture can be fine or coarse. Marijuana may contain seeds and stems from the plant. Hashish (“hash�) is dried cannabis resin, usually in the form of a small block. Blocks range in colour from light brown to nearly black. The concentration of THC in hashish is higher than in marijuana, producing stronger effects. Hash oil is a thick, oily liquid, golden brown to black in colour, which is extracted from cannabis. Hash oil is the strongest form of cannabis. In recent years a wide range of synthetic products, claiming to have similar effects to cannabis, have also been made available in Australia. Synthetic cannabis is made up of chemicals that are designed to activate the same chemical systems in the brain as THC. These drugs are marketed as having similar physical and psychological effects as cannabis, but can have more unpredictable effects and are potentially more harmful than cannabis.
How and why is it used? The different forms of cannabis are used in different ways:
»» Marijuana is smoked in
hand-rolled cigarettes (joints), in a pipe or a bong. »» Hashish is usually added to tobacco and smoked, or baked and eaten in foods such as hash cookies.
»» Hash oil is usually
spread on the tip or paper of a cigarette and then smoked.
Cannabis and hash can also be smoked in a vaporiser. Vaporisers heat cannabis to temperatures that release its active ingredients while minimising the toxins associated with burning. Cannabis is used for the psychoactive (mind and moodaltering) effects of THC and other active ingredients. The THC in cannabis is absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the lungs (if smoked), or through the walls of the stomach and intestines (if eaten). The bloodstream carries the THC to the brain, producing the “high” effects. Drugs inhaled get into the bloodstream quicker than those eaten. This means that the effects of cannabis when smoked occur more rapidly than when eaten. Medical uses Cannabis has been used for medical purposes for many centuries. It has been reported that cannabis may be useful to help conditions such as:
»» nausea and vomiting,
particularly when associated with chemotherapy »» wasting and severe weight loss, in people with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or anorexia nervosa, as it may be used as an appetite stimulant »» epilepsy
»» pain relief, for example
in people with cancer and arthritis »» relief from symptoms of some neurological disorders that involve muscle spasms, including multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury »» glaucoma »» asthma.
Cannabis in Australia According to the National Drug Strategy Household Survey1, in 2010:
»» 35.4 per cent of Australians aged over
14 years had used cannabis in their lifetime
»» 10.3 per cent had used cannabis in the previous 12 months.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2011 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey: Report, Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
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Effects of cannabis The effects of any drug (including cannabis) vary from person to person. How cannabis affects a person depends on many things including their size, weight and health, also whether the person is used to taking it and whether other drugs are taken around the same time. The effects of any drug also depend on the amount taken. This can be very hard to judge as the quality and strength of illicit drugs can vary greatly from one batch to another.
Immediate effects Low to moderate doses Low to moderate doses of cannabis can produce effects that last 2 to 4 hours after smoking. The effects of ingested (eaten) cannabis usually commence within 1 hour. Some of the effects include: See diagram People who have smoked synthetic cannabis have also reported experiencing high blood pressure (hypertension), increased breathing rate, chest pain, heart palpitations and seizures. Higher doses Higher doses of cannabis can make the effects stronger.
Very large doses of cannabis can cause: » confusion » restlessness » feelings of excitement » hallucinations » anxiety or panic, or detachment from reality » decreased reaction time » paranoia.
Brain » loss of inhibition » spontaneous laughter » quiet and reflective mood » affected perception including sound, colour and other sensations » confusion » altered thinking and memory » anxiety » mild paranoia
Body » relaxation » sleepiness » reduced coordination and balance
Stomach » increased appetite
Heart » increased heart rate » low blood pressure
Eyes » altered vision » reddened/bloodshot eyes
Low to moderate doses
Long-term effects Some of the effects that may be experienced after long-term cannabis use include:
»» Brain Cannabis may impair concentration, memory and learning ability. The brain could remain affected for several months after stopping cannabis use.
»» Lungs Smoking cannabis can result in a sore throat,
asthma and bronchitis. Cannabis cigarettes (joints) have more tar than tobacco, placing cannabis users at increased risk of respiratory illness such as lung cancer. This risk is increased because cannabis smokers often inhale deeply, and hold the smoke in the lungs for longer, to increase the effects of the drug. Cigarette smokers who also smoke cannabis have an even greater risk of respiratory disease.
»» Hormones Cannabis can affect hormone production. Research shows that some cannabis users have a lowered sex drive. Irregular menstrual cycles and lowered sperm counts have also been reported.
»» Immune system There is some concern that cannabis
smoking may impair the functioning of the immune system.
»» Cannabis and psychosis Cannabis use, especially heavy and regular use, may be linked to a condition known as a “drug-induced psychosis”, or “cannabis psychosis”. This can last up to a few days. The episodes are often characterised by hallucinations, delusions, memory loss and confusion.
There is some evidence that regular cannabis use increases the likelihood of psychotic symptoms in people who are already vulnerable due to a personal or family history of mental illness. Cannabis also appears to make psychotic symptoms worse for people with schizophrenia, and using cannabis can lower the chances of recovery from a psychotic episode. Tolerance and dependence People who use cannabis regularly can develop dependence and tolerance to it. Tolerance means they need to take larger amounts of cannabis to get the same effect. Dependence on cannabis can be psychological, physical, or both. People who are dependent on cannabis find that using the drug becomes far more important than other activities in their life. They crave the drug and find it very difficult to stop using it. People who are psychologically dependent on cannabis may find they feel an urge to use it when they are in specific surroundings or socialising with friends. Physical dependence occurs when a person’s body adapts to cannabis and gets used to functioning with the cannabis present.
Withdrawal If a dependent person stops taking cannabis, they may experience withdrawal symptoms because their body has to get used to functioning without cannabis. People may experience withdrawal symptoms for less than a week, although their sleep may be affected for longer. Some of the withdrawal symptoms that may be experienced include:
»» cravings for cannabis »» loss of appetite and
»» chills and tremors »» increased body
»» irritability »» anxiety »» sweating »» upset stomach
»» disturbed and restless
weight loss
temperature
sleep, often interrupted by nightmares.
Cannabis and driving It is dangerous to drive after using cannabis. The effects of cannabis, such as altered perception, impaired coordination and sleepiness, can affect driving ability. It is especially risky to drive after drinking alcohol and using cannabis, as the combination can amplify the effects described above.
Cannabis and the workplace Under occupational health and safety legislation, all employees have a responsibility to make sure they look after their own and their co-workers’ safety. Many workplaces are introducing alcohol and other drug policies, so employees need to be aware of the potential consequences of their drug use. The effects of cannabis such as altered perception and impaired coordination can affect a person’s ability to work safely and effectively.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding Many drugs (including cannabis) can cross the placenta and affect the unborn child. Some potential effects include:
»» smaller birth weight »» miscarriage and stillbirth »» behavioural problems and delayed development.
If a mother uses cannabis while breastfeeding, the drug may be present in her breast milk. This may have an effect on the health of the baby. Check with your doctor or other health professional if you are using or planning to use cannabis or any other drugs during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Cannabis and other drugs The effects of mixing cannabis with other drugs, including alcohol, prescription medications and over-the-counter medicines, are often unpredictable. When people drink alcohol and use cannabis at the same time this can increase the unpleasant effects, including nausea, vomiting and feelings of panic, anxiety and paranoia. Some people use cannabis to come down from stimulants such as amphetamines or ecstasy. The mixing of cannabis and ecstasy has been linked to reduced motivation, impaired memory and mental health problems.
Cannabis and social problems All areas of a person’s life can be affected by drug use.
»» Disagreements and frustration over drug use can cause family arguments and affect personal relationships.
»» Legal and health problems can also add to the strain on personal, financial and work relationships.
Cannabis and the law Cannabis is illegal in Australia. Federal and state laws provide penalties for possessing, using, cultivating, selling and driving under the influence of cannabis. There are also laws that prevent the sale and possession of bongs and other smoking equipment in some states and territories. Penalties can include fines, imprisonment and disqualification from driving. Some states and territories have programs that refer people with a drug problem to treatment and/or education programs where they can receive help rather than going through the criminal justice system. For more information contact a legal aid service in your state or territory.
Treatment options In Australia, there are many different treatment options for drug problems. Some aim to help a person to stop using a drug, while others aim to reduce the risks and harm related to their drug use. Treatment is more effective if adapted to suit each person’s situation. Some of the different options include individual counselling, group therapy, medication (pharmacotherapy), residential therapy and supervised/home withdrawal. Online counselling for cannabis dependency is a relatively new treatment option available in Australia.
Preventing and reducing harms Many Australians take at least one psychoactive drug on a regular basis—they might take medication (i.e. over-the-counter or via a prescription), drink alcohol, smoke tobacco or use an illegal drug. All drugs have the potential to cause harm. As use increases, so does the potential for harm. Australia’s national drug policy is based on harm minimisation. Strategies to minimise harm include encouraging people to avoid using a drug through to helping people to reduce the risk of harm if they do use a drug. It aims to reduce all types of drug-related harm to both the individual and the community.
There is no safe level of drug use Use of any drug always carries some risk—even medications can produce unwanted side effects. It is important to be careful when taking any type of drug.
What to do if you are concerned about someone’s drug use If you are concerned about someone’s drug use, or for further tips on how to reduce the risks of using cannabis, there is confidential help available. Contact the alcohol and drug information service in your state or territory. The telephone numbers are listed on the back of this pamphlet. More information about cannabis is also available at the National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre at ncpic.org.au.
If someone has an adverse reaction If someone has an adverse reaction while using cannabis, help can be provided in the following ways:
»» stay with them »» reassure them that these feelings will pass »» take them to a quiet place with fresh air »» sit or lie them down in a comfortable position »» If they want to lie down, put them on their side in case they vomit2.
If nothing is helping:
»» Dial triple zero (000) to call an ambulance. Ambulance officers are not obliged to involve the police.
For further tips on how to reduce the risks of using cannabis, call the alcohol and drug information service in your state or territory. The telephone numbers are listed on the back of this pamphlet.
National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre website 2010 “Looking after a friend on cannabis” at http://ncpic.org.au/ncpic/publications/factsheets/article/ looking-after-a-friend-on-cannabis (accessed 27/9/2013)
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For information, counselling or other assistance, contact the alcohol and other drug service in your state or territory.
ACT (02) 6207 9977
Tas. 1800 811 994
NSW (02) 9361 8000 (Sydney) 1800 422 599 (NSW)
Vic. 1300 85 85 84 (information)
NT 1800 131 350
QLD 1800 177 833 SA
1300 131 340
1800 888 236 (counselling)
WA (08) 9442 5000 (Perth) 1800 198 024 (WA)
Produced by the Australian Drug Foundation Š 2013. Celebrating more than 50 years of service to the community, the Australian Drug Foundation is Australia’s leading body committed to preventing alcohol and other drug problems in communities around the nation. www.adf.org.au For further copies of this pamphlet: Post: PO Box 818, North Melbourne, VIC 3051 Street: Level 12, 607 Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Email: shop@adf.org.au Web: www.shop.adf.org.au