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Cannabis - Myths and Facts

Cannabis - you may know it as grass, weed, pot, dope, hash, chronic, reefer or one of the many other names for this drug. No matter what you call it, marijuana is the #1 used illicit drug in Canada and can contribute to health and social problems for some users. Learning about the different myths and facts on marijuana can help you make more informed decisions around this drug.

 

Myth #1: Marijuana is natural – if it comes from a plant it can’t be harmful

Fact – One of the biggest myths about marijuana is that since it’s a plant then it must be natural and not harmful. It’s important to remember that:

  • Marijuana smoke has a mixture of over 400 toxins and carcinogens that harm your lungs.
  • Although marijuana smokers tend to smoke less often than cigarette smokers, marijuana can cause damage faster to the lungs since its smoke is usually unfiltered, breathed deeper, and held longer in the lungs.
  • Marijuana today is often stronger than years ago and sometimes has been found to be laced with other dangerous drugs.
  • Use of marijuana has been linked to health, safety, social, learning or behavioral problems.
 

Myth #2: Marijuana is not addictive

Fact – If you use marijuana regularly, you can develop both mental (psychological) and physical dependence.  

Mental (Psychological) Addiction can include:

  • Craving the high that marijuana provides
  • Difficulty for users to cut down the amount of marijuana they use
  • Developing a tolerance – they need more marijuana to reach the same effect
  • Continued use of marijuana even when there are negative effects

Physical Addiction can include withdrawal-like symptoms such as:

  • Anxiety
  • Upset stomach
  • Bad temper
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Sweating
  • Loss of appetite

Myth #3: It’s safe to drive after using marijuana

Fact – Drugs and Driving don’t mix. Remember that driving a vehicle while high can pose the same risks as drinking and driving. Just like alcohol, marijuana affects a user’s brain function. A person high on marijuana will have: 

  • Decreased reaction time
  • Decreased visual ability
  • Decreased attention
  • Impaired decision making

All of these factors make it very dangerous to drive a vehicle after using marijuana.  The police have the authority, ability, and tools to determine if you are impaired by legal or illegal drugs. Driving while high puts you, your passengers, and the public in danger. Watch arrive alive DRIVE SOBER’s The Sober Truth About Driving High (linked with permission from arrive alive DRIVE SOBER).

Myth #4: Marijuana is legal

FACT – Although marijuana legalization in Canada is being discussed, it remains an illegal substance in Canada, except when used under the Health Canada licence for medical purposes.

Possession, trafficking, importing or producing marijuana can lead to criminal charges. Penalties for these types of drug offences can include fines and/or jail time. Once you have a criminal record it can be very difficult to find a job, get accepted to university or college or travel to another country. Is it really worth it?

 
Date of creation: March 1, 2013
Last modified on: January 9, 2018
 

References

1Partnership for a Drug Free Canada. (2013). Marijuana. Retrieved from
http://www.canadadrugfree.org/drug-info/marijuana/
2Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. (2010). Marijuana (Cannabis). Retrieved from
http://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/health_information/a_z_mental_health_and_addiction_information/marijuana/Pages/marijuana.aspx
3Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. (2012). Cannabis. Retrieved from
http://www.ccsa.ca/Eng/topics/Marijuana/Pages/default.aspx