Facts About Cannabis
Cannabis, despite being an illegal drug, is often used by teenagers all over Australia for various reasons. Many smoke it for the high it gives users, others feel pressured by their peers to smoke it. However these reasons have nothing on the negative consequences that smoking cannabis has including physical, economic and social impacts. Teenagers need to be educated on the actual drug and the dangers of smoking it so they can make smart decisions when they are given choices related to cannabis.
So what is cannabis?
Cannabis is a drug, composed of the dried stem, seeds, leaves and flowers of the cannabis sativa plant that is used by smoking it. It gives users a "high" but also has side effects like anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty concentrating, mild paranoia and an increased heart rate.
Common names for cannabis include marijuana, weed, pot, dope, blunt, bud and hash. Teenagers should be aware of what cannabis looks like so if they are ever offered it at a party or when they are with friends, they can recognise the drug and its dangers before deciding to smoke it or not. Here is a picture of cannabis in a dried form and as a 'joint' (basically a cannabis cigarette).
Common names for cannabis include marijuana, weed, pot, dope, blunt, bud and hash. Teenagers should be aware of what cannabis looks like so if they are ever offered it at a party or when they are with friends, they can recognise the drug and its dangers before deciding to smoke it or not. Here is a picture of cannabis in a dried form and as a 'joint' (basically a cannabis cigarette).