Cannabis
What it is
Cannabis is the most commonly used illegal drug in New Zealand. The drug comes from hemp plants, including cannabis sativa and cannabis indica. Usually the dried bud of the plant is smoked. It can also be made into an oil or resin (hash), which is generally more potent.
The Ministry of Health’s Drug Use Survey 2007–2008 found that 46.4% of people aged 16–64 have used cannabis in their lifetime.
Cannabis is a Class C drug in New Zealand, and it is illegal to grow, sell, distribute or possess it. The more potent oil and resin forms of cannabis are Class B, and there are more serious penalties for growing, selling, distributing or possessing them.
What it does
The effects of using cannabis will vary from person to person. The effects will depend on:
- how much cannabis is taken, the way it is taken and the form in which it is taken
- how strong it is
- how experienced the user is
- the general physical health of the user
- the mental health of the user
- the user’s mood when they start taking the drug
- the setting in which the drug is taken
- whether other drugs are taken as well.
Short-term effects
Cannabis is a depressant, and people who use it often feel stoned or ‘out of it’ when they are using. Although it is classed a depressant, using cannabis does not mean the user will get depressed — just that it has a mellowing effect on the user. They can also feel very happy, relaxed or uninhibited. However, not everyone has such a positive experience when using cannabis. Some people may feel anxious, self-conscious or have paranoid thoughts.
Cannabis can impair short-term memory and attention span, which makes it harder to complete tasks or concentrate on doing several things at once.
Young people who use cannabis can affect their concentration and motivation, which can affect how well they do at school.
Myths and legends
Cannabis isn’t addictive
Cannabis does have addictive properties. People who smoke pot regularly can develop dependency on the drug because they are used to functioning and doing certain things when they are stoned.
Cannabis isn’t as bad as other drugs
Pot might not have the same street cred as something like meth, but there are a number of risks associated with using it. Smoking pot may cause similar health risks as smoking cigarettes, especially because cannabis users inhale the smoke more deeply and hold it in their lungs for longer than tobacco smoke. Some people have experienced psychosis triggered by using pot.
Risks
Taking any type of drug creates risk to the health and wellbeing of the user. There is evidence that prolonged use of cannabis can increase the risk of developing cancer. There is also an increased risk of developing chronic bronchitis, damage to the lungs and other respiratory problems.
People with mental health problems are particularly sensitive to the effects of cannabis. It can exacerbate conditions such as paranoia, depression and anxiety. Chronic use can affect fertility in both men and women.
Cannabis withdrawal
Withdrawal can occur if a person suddenly stops using pot after long periods of use — in some cases it can be a short amount of time. They may suffer physical symptoms for about a week, including, anxiety, loss of appetite, upset stomach and irritability. Some people find their sleep is disturbed for a few weeks, but this goes back to normal in time.
It is possible for a person to become dependent on pot especially if they become accustomed to carrying out daily tasks or being in certain situations while under the influence.
