Cannabis

Cannabis

Five short-term effects of using cannabis are:
• Talkativeness
• Bloodshot eyes
• Anxiety and paranoia
• Drowsiness
• Feeling of well-being

Five long-term effects of using cannabis:
• Lethargy
• Disinterest in social interaction
• Decreased memory
• Dependence
• Paranoia


b) Cannabis and the law:
Cannabis is illegal in Australia. There are penalties for using, possessing, growing or selling. In Victoria fines or penalties range from $2000 and/or one year in jail for simply growing it for your own personal use. If you are trafficking cannabis (growing, selling and dealing to others) fines can be up to $250,000 and/or twenty-five years in jail.

For a first time cannabis user- they will generally be warned by police and then instructed to attend a drug treatment services centre’s meetings regarding cannabis. Failure to do so will result in charges being laid.

The penalties differ from case to case- depending on the amount possessed.

The reasons for using drugs:
• A form of escapism from a difficult school, home, work or social life.
• Meet new people. (Not always guaranteed to be savoury though!!!)




• Friends or family members use it.
• The cool factor.
• Curiosity
• Loss of inhibitions
• Escape pain whether physical or physiological.
• Cover poor communication
• The excitement of getting into trouble
• Attention.

Physiological dependence:
• Cannabis can trigger a mental illness in some one who was prone to that illness.
• Cannabis can also trigger psychotic episodes in those who already suffer form a mental illness.
• Regular and heavy consumption of cannabis is linked to “cannabis psychosis” which is a condition that could last any where from a few hours to a few days. The user will suffer from hallucinations, memory loss, confusion and delusions....