Learning about the use of Cannabis (THC) - Rachel Smith

    At this age, you may be starting to hear more about people, possibly those who are close to you, using “weed, pot, ganja, maryjane”, or whatever the slang is nowadays. For the sake of this post we will refer to the substance as cannabis. If you have any interest in consuming any kind of drug once you're 18 or older, it is crucial that you educate yourself on what said substance is, the long and short term effects it can have on your body, and other associated potential risks. So, within cannabis there is an organic compound called ∆-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (S, Bell., 2012), or more commonly referred to as THC. THC is responsible for the way your brain and body respond to cannabis, it is essentially what makes you feel intoxicated (About Cannabis, n.d.). The short term effects of THC can differ from person to person, but these effects may include: difficulty to remember or learn things, difficulty concentrating, altered mood, altered visual and auditory perception, an elevated heart rate, and possible effects of anxiety or even hallucinations (Cannabis and your health, n.d.). It is for these reasons that driving while high is illegal. Some of these effects, such as anxiety or other mental health concerns, can last beyond the short term. Constant inhalation of cannabis can lead to severe lung issues, and constant use of cannabis could lead to addiction (Cannabis and your health, n.d.). And the most important thing to note in regard to cannabis use, is that it is not recommended to people who are under the age of 25. Why is this? Well, the human brain is not fully developed until this age, and cannabis can interfere with this developmental process (Cannabis and your health, n.d.). Although cannabis use may be legal in Canada, once you reach the age of 18 of course, it is critical to use caution and be knowledgeable when using medical or recreational drugs. 

References: 


About Cannabis. (n.d.). Government of Canada. Retrieved January 26th, 2024 from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/about.html


Bell, S. (2012). A dictionary of forensic science. Oxford Quick Reference. Retrieved from https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780199594009.001.0001/acref-9780199594009


Bucella, M. (2012). I use catnip, too, but only for medical purposes. [JPG]. Cartoonstock. https://www.cartoonstock.com/cartoon?searchID=CS144787


Cannabis and your health. (n.d.). Government of Canada. Retrieved January 26th, 2024 from https://www.canada.ca/en/services/health/campaigns/cannabis/health-effects.html




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