Marijuana

Substance use and misuse among young people is not new, but there has been growing concern about it and this issue is now seen as one of the most important concerns in our society. Alcohol and tobacco are still the most often used substances and have the highest health risks. Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in Australia. By the age of 20 years, 60% of Australians have now used marijuana and about 7% are daily users. Only a few young people who use marijuana go on to develop problems due to substance abuse with legal or illegal drugs.

Use of marijuana can trigger psychotic episodes in some people. People with asthma, bronchitis, heart disease or high blood pressure can make their conditions worse by using marijuana. Marijuana use and possession is illegal in most places. Local laws may impose fines or imprisonment for possession of marijuana.

What is Marijuana?

Marijuana is a drug that comes from the cannabis sativa plant. The marijuana plant produces a sticky resin which covers the flowering tops and the upper leaves. The active ingredient in marijuana is THC. Marijuana is made from the dried flowers [or "heads"] and leaves of the marijuana plant. The flowers or "heads" are the most potent part of the plant.

• Marijuana can look like dried herbs or grass. Sometimes it contains seeds or twigs. It can be gray, green, brown, gold or even purple in color.
• Marijuana is usually smoked in hand-rolled cigarettes usually called 'joints,' or in pipes. It can also be smoked in water pipes called "bongs".
• Sometimes it is mixed with food such as cakes and cookies and eaten.
• If it is smoked it usually affects the person quite quickly, but if eaten it takes much longer to have an effect.
• Marijuana is usually sold in clear plastic bags or in foil.

Hashish or hash is made from the resin of the marijuana plant. It is pressed into small blocks which are light brown to black in color. Hash is either smoked or baked and eaten in foods. The concentration of THC in hashish is higher than in marijuana. Hash oil is extracted from hashish and has very high levels of THC.

What is THC?

THC is the chemical in marijuana which makes people feel 'high' or 'stoned'. The full name is delta-9-tetra-hydro-cannabinol. Some parts of the plant contain a higher level of THC. For example, the flowers or buds have more THC than the stems or leaves.

What are the effects of THC?

• When marijuana is smoked, THC goes quickly into the blood through the lungs. It is a depressant drug which affects the brain, causing a feeling of being 'high' or 'stoned'. This happens within a few minutes and can last up to five hours.
• When marijuana is eaten, THC is absorbed more slowly into the blood as it has to pass through the stomach and liver then into the blood. It can take up to one hour to experience the "high" effects and these can last up to 12 hours.
• THC is absorbed quickly into body fat. It is then released very slowly back into the blood. It can take up to 10 days to 2 weeks for a single dose of THC to fully leave the body.

• The reason why young people use marijuana is mostly to feel the positive effects of the drug, such as feeling happier and calm and to forget their problems.
• Curiosity, typical adolescent risk taking, peer pressure (for example friends are using it) and to rebel against parents are other reasons.
• Many young people who smoke marijuana say it helps them get to sleep at night.
• Some young people who have mental health problems such as depression or psychosis use marijuana to avoid the symptoms of their problems.

Effects of marijuana

The effects of marijuana will vary from person to person depending on:

• how much is taken
• how strong the marijuana is
• how the marijuana is taken (joint, bong, food)
• the size, weight and health of the person
• mood
• experience with marijuana
• whether marijuana is taken with other drugs
• whether the person is alone or with other people, at home or at a party.

The immediate effects of even a small amount of marijuana can last up to five hours.The effects of the drug are due to a depressant effect on the brain (it slows down activity in the brain).

The effects may be:

• feeling unusually well and happy
• doing or saying things which the person normally wouldn’t do
• talking and laughing more than usual
• decreased coordination and balance
• finding it hard to concentrate
• feeling hungry
• having a faster heart rate
• having red eyes
• focusing awareness on one particular thing and ignoring all other things
• increased heart rate, low blood pressure.

• feel confused
• be restless
• feel excited
• have a decreased reaction time
• see or hear things which are not there, feel anxious or panicky, feel distant or separate from reality (hallucinations).

• remembering things
• thinking clearly
• movement
• ability to do things like drive or operate machines.

• An increase in the risk of getting bronchitis, lung cancer and other diseases of the respiratory system because marijuana has a much higher level of harmful tars than tobacco
• A decrease in motivation
• A decrease in concentration, memory and ability to learn new things which can last for several months after stopping marijuana use
• A decrease in sex drive
• A decrease in sperm count in men and irregular menstrual cycles in women
• Some people may have psychological effects.
• Women who use marijuana often as teenagers are much more likely to be depressed and anxious in early adulthood.  This effect is not seen in males.
• There are risks that an unborn baby may be harmed if the mother uses marijuana during pregnancy.

• headaches
• nausea
• irritation
• depression
• anxiety
• upset stomach
• difficulties in sleeping.

Most people are able to stop using marijuana without major physical withdrawal problems. Psychological dependence can develop to any drug, including marijuana. When people withdraw from marijuana they may crave the drug and find it extremely difficult to stop using it.  It can be harder to 'withdraw' from the social dependence on marijuana when it is used by friends or at places that they like to go, than from the physical dependence.

Driving

• Marijuana makes it more difficult to drive safely, especially when it is taken with alcohol. A breathalyzer cannot detect if the person has used marijuana but if a police officer suspects the driver has used marijuana, or other drugs, then the person can be arrested and taken to a hospital for blood and urine tests. These will show whether there is THC or other drugs in the body.
• It is illegal for anyone to drive while under the influence of any drugs, including marijuana. If this law is broken, the person can lose their license and be fined or sent to prison. Anyone under the influence of marijuana, who kills or injures another person while driving a motor vehicle, can be sentenced to a term in prison.

• If you think that your child or young person has been or is using marijuana or other drugs it is important to approach the topic carefully as most young people will become angry when challenged about possible illegal drug use. They can even be angry with you if they are not using drugs because they may interpret it as distrust. This is not saying you should ignore the issue, but prepare yourself carefully for the discussion.
• Remember that many young people try marijuana and do not go on to use the drug in problemic ways. They may be much more at risk of health problems from use of alcohol or tobacco. However, unlike tobacco and alcohol, marijuana is illegal.
• If possible, talk to someone who is knowledgeable about drug use and about how to support someone to give up drug use.
• If the person is still at school you could think about whether you feel that you can discuss this with the principal or school counselor. Some school staff is very supportive but some are not so supportive. There is a risk that a student could be suspended or expelled if the student is using drugs because of the perceived risk of that student encouraging others to use drugs. This may not be a helpful response.
• If it is safe, discuss this with another family member who can help support you and your young person.
• When talking to your young person choose a time when he or she is not affected by the drug, and work hard at staying calm and logical. Focus on saying that you would like them to stop using the drug and give your reasons why. Remember you cannot force someone else to change their behavior, but you can be there to give support.