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.