SUBSTANCE MISUSE EDUCATION AND PREVENTION

CANNABISalso known as: BHANG, BLACK, BLAST, BLOW, BLUNTS, BOB HOPE, BUSH, DOPE, DRAW, GANJA, GRASS, HASH, HASHISH, HEMP, HERB, MARIJUANA, POT, PUFF, NORTHERN LIGHTS, RESIN, SENSI, SINSEMILLA, SHIT, SKUNK, SMOKE, SOAP, SPLIFF, WACKY BACKY, WEED, ZERO

HEDDLU GOGLEDD CYMRUA safer North WalesGogledd Cymru diogelachNORTH WALES POLICE

• Small amounts can make you feel more relaxed and friendly.• It can make you more talkative and make you laugh a lot.• The effect will depend on how much you use and what type of

cannabis it is. It will also depend on your mood and the situation.• It heightens your senses, especially when listening to music,

looking at colours or tasting things.• Cannabis may bring on cravings for food, especially sweet

things (known as “the munchies”).

THE RISKS:• It may slow you down and affect your judgement. • This can lead to accidents.• Cannabis may affect your memory and you might forget things. • People around you might get frustrated with this and start

avoiding you.• It can make it difficult to concentrate on things and make you

feel tired. It can be really difficult to get anything done.• It can cause breathing problems, and make you short of breath.• • Long-term use can cause paranoia and anxiety. • You might become very suspicious and fearful of people.• Cannabis can also make people depressed.

The most widely used illegal drug in Britain. It’s a naturally occurring drug made from parts of the cannabis plant. It’s a mild hallucinogen and often gives sedative like effects that make some people feel chilled out and others feel sick. It’s not very expensive and widely available.

• Hash is a blacky-brown lump made from the resin of the plant - it’s quite often squidgey.

• Grass or weed is the dried leaves of the plant. It looks like tightly packed dried garden herbs.

• Less common is sinsemilla. This is bud grown in the absence of male plants and has no seeds.

• Cannabis oil which is dark and sticky and comes in a small jar.

Most people mix cannabis up with tobacco and smoke it as a spliff or a joint. Some people put it in a pipe. Other make tea with it or stick it in food like cakes.

CANNABIS IS ILLEGAL – it’s a Class ‘B’ Drug.

If you are caught with Cannabis:

• If you are under 18 you may be arrested but you will definitely be dealt with for the offence if found in possession of the drug.

• If you are over 18 you might be arrested, or given a warning.

• The drug will be confiscated.

The maximum penalty is a 2-year prison sentence. For a less serious case you are likely to get a warning or a reprimand.

This goes on your record and if you get caught again you could end up in court.

You can be arrested even if you are only carrying a very small amount. Blatant smoking in public, or repeat offending, will also result in arrest.

If you are caught dealing Cannabis:

• The police will consider this a much more serious offence than possession.

• It’s a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.

• Sorting out your mates with Cannabis is still seen as dealing.

Synthetic cannabinoids such as ‘Spice’ are also Class ‘B’.

WHAT THE LAW SAYS:

WHAT IS IT? THE EFFECTS:

PLAY IT SAFE:

The less you use the less likely you are to have bad effects. Bear in mind that different types of cannabis come in different strengths. Avoid using cannabis with other drugs, and make sure you’re in a safe place and try to stick with mates who you trust.Drugs can severely damage your physical and mental health. They can get you into trouble with the law and even kill you. But if you do decide to use drugs, reduce the risks by finding out as much as you can about the effects, risks, etc, and then decide if it is really worth it.If you do decide to use drugs, keep these points in mind:• If you’re dancing wear light clothing.• The smaller you are the less drugs you need to get the same

effect, but where you are and the mood you are in will also affect the way you’ll react.

• Don’t score off strangers; poor quality drugs can give you bad trips.

• Mixing drugs and alcohol can be fatal.• Never drive if you have had drugs.• Always carry a condom; never risk unprotected sex.

If your mate collapses, call 999

Get help to put them into the recovery position

Tell the medics what they have taken

IT COULD SAVE THEIR LIFE(N.B. Police do not automaticallyattend all cases of overdose which are reported to the ambulance service)

FIRST AID

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