Pubdate: Sun, 06 Mar 2011 Source: Argus, The (CN ON Edu) Copyright: 2011 The Argus Contact: http://www.theargus.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4361 Author: Jonathan Chien, Health Promoter at the Student Health and Counselling Center. MARIJUANA TALK Over the years and to this day, marijuana is a hot topic. There is much debate on the health risks associated with it and its legal status. Much of this debate is due to marijuana being labelled as a "mild hallucinogen" and has the misconception of being harmless or less harmful than other drugs and substances like tobacco and alcohol. Like it or not, it is illegal to possess and produce marijuana in Canada. Illegal drugs can be categorized by the nature of their physiological effects. These categories include stimulants, depressants, and hallucinogens. Marijuana once fell under each category due to the unpredictable nature of the drug when taken. However, most experts today consider marijuana to be a drug category in itself. The marijuana (or cannabis) category also includes hashish, hashish oil and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the ingredient that gives you your "high" and hallucinogenic effect. Since marijuana is illegal, there is no regulation and the concentration of THC in marijuana varies. A common belief by students at Lakehead University is that "everyone smokes marijuana." During a 2009 survey conducted with Lakehead students, over 90% reported that they thought their fellow students smoked marijuana. However, during the same survey, less than a quarter of students reported they had used marijuana a minimum of one time within the last 30 days. Not everyone's doing it! Let's look at what we know about marijuana and maybe shed some light on how it can be harmful to you. Effects of Marijuana The way you are affected by marijuana can depend on how much you use, your tolerance, your mood and expectations, your age, and whether or not you mix it with any other substances or drugs. Some smokers may get a high while others may be using it to "control" their anxiety. A common belief amongst students is that smoking marijuana is harmless. Is this because we rarely hear about a fatal marijuana overdose, or is it because we have this idea of it mellowing us out? Whatever the reason may be, you need to know that marijuana can be harmful and dangerous. Marijuana has more than 400 toxins and cancer-causing chemicals. When compared to tobacco cigarettes, one marijuana joint is equal to five cigarettes. Marijuana smoke contains 50-70% more cancer-causing hydrocarbons than cigarettes and can cause more lung damage than smoking cigarettes. Like tobacco, marijuana can be addictive. People who use it regularly can develop a psychological or physical dependence. Short-term effects of marijuana can include drowsiness, paranoia, anxiety, hallucinations and can give you the "munchies" (which can result in weight gain). Long-term effects can reduce your motivation and concentration, and/or impair your memory - all of which may affect your school or job performance. You may also experience depression and become socially withdrawn. Problems to your respiratory system can develop and it is common to see a rise in heart rate and a decrease in blood pressure. This effect could increase the risk of a heart attack for people with underlying heart conditions. There has also been a big push to lessen the incidences of getting high and driving. There are groups like Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), who believe that drug impaired driving is equally as dangerous as drinking and driving. Groups believe this because smoking marijuana can impair your reaction time, attention span, and hand steadiness - all of which can affect a person's ability to drive safely. CAMH states "the term 'impaired' refers not only to the effects of alcohol, but also other drugs". MADD Canada has an awareness campaign on the dangers of drug impaired driving. You may have heard of their slogan "If You're High, You Can't Drive!" or you have seen the commercials. You know the one with the "talking pirate" on a pack of matches or the "talking alien" on the guy's shirt. The message is clear: if you're hallucinating, you definitely can't drive. Now, you might be thinking that none of this applies to you and that weed is safe, but remember that it affects people differently. Marijuana and Jobs The academic year is coming to an end and many of you will be looking for jobs. Remember that ingredient THC? Well, THC can be detected by drug tests for up to 30 days after consumption in the urine of chronic marijuana users. Something for you to keep in mind if the job you're applying for requires a drug-test. Marijuana and the Law As mentioned earlier, marijuana is illegal, and here is what you need to know about marijuana and the law. A first-time conviction for possession of 30 grams or less can result in a six-month jail sentence or a $1,000 fine or both. Approximately 2,000 Canadians go to jail every year for marijuana possession, and having a criminal record can limit your employment and travel plans. Think about staying at home while your friends are having the trip of their lives! Definitely something you don't want to miss out on. Final Words There you have it, an overview of marijuana. If you're a marijuana smoker, you may disagree with the behavioural effects that marijuana can have, but think about the other ways it can affect you. It can cost you your scholarship with declining grades, cost you the job you applied for, or even result in a criminal record. If you would like more information on marijuana there are many reliable sources on the web. Visit: tbhu.com, DrugsNot4Me.ca, hc-sc.gc.ca (search for marijuana) and camh.net for trusted information on marijuana. Is it really worth it? - Think About It. If you have a health concern, make an appointment at the Student Health & Counselling Centre? Remember to bring your student card if you are seeing a Counsellor AND your valid health insurance card if seeing a Physician. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.