Drug Aware - Cannabis (Marijuana, Hasish)

14/04/2012 12:27 AM said:
i have a friend that's hyperactive from birth, i, myself smoke weed, no problems with that, i feel good. But my friend, when he smokes, he gets on a stupid state of panic. he thinks everyone is making fun of him. he gets histerical. i already told him to not smoke, and happily he really stopped.

8/04/2012 8:44 PM said:
"1 in 7 cannabis users report experiencing mental health problems." correlation =/= causation.

27/02/2012 7:20 AM said:
Lies, Lies, Lies

7/02/2012 12:12 AM said:
sounds like guilt!!! why would you smoke anything in the same room as a 3 year old?!? Let alone weed!!!

2/02/2012 8:14 PM said:
Cannabis will only mess up your mind if you use it frequently over a long period of time

29/02/2012 3:35 PM said:
i smoke lots of weed i like it hahaha

8/05/2012 12:37 PM said:
We appreciate and encourage your constructive comments and feedback. Please note we do check comments to ensure they are constructive in nature, and don’t contain offensive language or statements. Kind regards, Drug Aware Team.

21/11/2011 12:17 PM said:
i believe cannabis is bad

7/02/2012 12:13 AM said:
sounds like guilt!!! why would you smoke anything in the same room as a 3 year old?!? Let alone weed!!!

1/05/2012 10:15 AM said:
hi. i need a way to enlarge my penis because it is really small right now! please help me!!!!!! :(

4/10/2011 10:07 PM said:
more and more cannabis users are turning to vaporisers. no smoke, no tar, no carcinogens, no worries!

4/05/2012 9:26 PM said:

man i agree will all the stuff about the other stuff but there is no conclusive evidence that pot causes cancer there was even some research to show that it protected against cancers something to do with the thc stop pushing these lies about pot on people if pot was so evil why is it used as a medicine for terminally ill people with cancer stop feeding us a bunch of bullcrap why isnt there anything here about the risks of alcohol more people consume alcohol than pot you can die from consuming alcohol it is a poison havent you heard of alohol poisoning know if weed was such a bad drug how come you cant overdose on it like alcohol there has never been 1 reported case of marijuana overdose but there are thousands of deaths due to alcohol and alcohol will lead more people to depression than pot will it is a depressant were as pots psychoactive dont believe all these lies that you will get a mental disease its only if you have mental illness in your family pot could have the potential to trigger it within you other than that you will be alright also there is nothing wrong with driving on pot ask the police and even they will admit that most pot drivers drive slow and careful because their stoned were as drunk drivers take more risks than stoned drivers and they kill hundreds a year on the road dont believe this propaganda do some research for yourself dont buy into this government lies weed is a perfectly fine drug to consume i have used it for over 5 years i have always had at least 2 jobs pot users arent like junkies who steal and commit crimes to feed their addiction pot users dont need to we are functioning members of society and there would be no 24/7 macas if it wasnt for us do your own research on drugs never trust the government they lie through their teeth in an effort to scare you off drugs pot has to be one of the most enjoyable drugs it doesnt make you aggresive like alcohol makes you feel happy and hungry makes tv awesome try it for yourself before you believe someone who has never tried it and yet they are trying to lecture about the horror of weed how would they know theyve never even gotten high

4/10/2011 10:00 PM said:

328 likes on Facebook? not exactly setting the world on fire hey? might i suggest a more balanced approach to educating people on this subject? this is clearly an anti-cannabis forum and while i support your right to hold this opinion perhaps if you provided a more objective view you'd gain a little more credibility. perhaps become known as an organisation of support and education rather than throwing up the same old boring rhetoric. why not talk about some of the positives of the drug? why people enjoy it, the benefits (medicinal or otherwise) but show that with that comes a cost. you're good at that part. but please, check your facts first and resist the urge to exaggerate. people know drugs are bad. we've heard it all before, yet people continue to experiment. if someone is actually going to take the time to research drugs before they try them, they want to know the in's and out's, the goods, the bads ie. the truth. only then can anyone really make an informed decision. but what do they get? unsubstantiated facts and propoganda. the more cynical side of me tends to think you don't really care about helping people at all and you're all happy to just keep going with the motions. but i know that's not true. i think you just need a shake up. personally, i don't see cannabis as being any worse than alcohol and is in many respects less destructive. therefore i believe they should be similarly regulated. and if you don't want to make alcohol illegal why not make cannabis legal? i'm sure you could give me a list but we've been doing this dance for long enough. time for action. it is so important that kids are educated on the effects of any substance on their developing brain. they need to understand the importance of waiting. they're not stupid and can see through the same old story. so give the truth a try. so despite what it may sound like - i believe in you guys. but you need to step up your game. don't let us down.

4/10/2011 5:27 PM said:

To the poster hoping loved ones get cancer, Wow... . compassion. As for how to target the campaign... It conflates ANY use of cannabis as problematic and makes no distinction between use and mis-use. For the vast majority of young people, they only have to use cannabis once or twice to realise that 1) it is pleasurable; 2) nothing bad happened to them and 3) the campaign information does not apply to them. If the message had been 'yes cannabis will make you feel great AND it can cause some serious harms to some people', it would at least help young people make informed decision about the level of risk they are willing to accept. Instead, the campaign leaves them with only an 'either/or' decision. Either their experience that 'cannabis is pleasurable and nothing bad happened to them' is false or the information provided by a government drug campaign is wrong. And who are they going to believe? As for cannabis being a carcinogen, if that si the case, can you explain why the NSW Cancer Council for example are calling for further research into the usefulness of cannabis in a range of diseases? I wish you and yours the best of health.

29/09/2011 11:51 PM said:
Cannabis causes NO serious side effects at all. The worst it does is cause dry mouth for a little while.

1/10/2011 1:31 PM said:

Why does government think it can trick people into believing Cannabis is worst than alcohol? Even america, the place that started the fear campaign against Cannabis back in the early part of last century is now thinking off repealing it and decriminalizing it. Yet we are going to opposite direction. Gone are the days when the government propaganda can work effectively. We now have internet. Is this part of a campaign to eventually get rid of all rights? I mean wouldnt having Marijuana decriminalzed be beneficial because people dont commit crime when they are high? Im a normal citizen, I dont commit crime, yet when I drink I want to bad things, get in fights, cause disruptions, but im never like that when I smoke. It is the same for most people. Why is the tolerated drug is worst? Making money off crime?

24/09/2011 11:01 AM said:
i didnt realize untill reading your website that marijuana is much more dangerous that tobbacco. i used marijuana to help me quit ciggaretts. But now you have me confused, i will be disposing of the rest of my buds and going back to cigaretts. Where would i be without this site YOU GUYS ARE GREAT!!

10/09/2011 1:56 AM said:

I wanna make a comment about that huge billboard you idiots have on an advertising tower near the Horseshoe Bridge on William Street. Screaming out to the general population that 1 in 7 experince mental health problems is the only thing you've been saying during this redundant and archaic campaign and you have no evidence to back up those claims. Advertising this propaganda on a giant billboard will not affect anyone's decision to use cannabis at all and I hope you realise this and tear it down soon as I am disgusted you would put such a pathetic statement on a billboard that could be used to advertise something people actually care about.

10/09/2011 1:59 AM said:

Typical of the nanny state going after such a soft target when it's obvious to anyone who's picked up a paper in the last six months that WA is suffering from a methamphetamine epidemic. But nah, let all the meth-addled freaks go out on the streets and rob everyone but throw anyone who's caught with a couple of buds on them in jail for two years. I hope someone you love gets cancer one day and dies before you realize you could have used cannabis to help save their lives. You people are the lowest.

18/08/2011 10:48 AM said:
Interesting animation. I have a friend who started using cannabis a few years ago. He now only seems to be happy when he is using and gets really touchy when he isn't using. He says it helps him feel good. I think he might have some other issues. Thanks, this helps explain some of that.

17/08/2011 5:13 AM said:
dumb and a lie. Try using some up to date scientific data to base your findings and misleading advertising onto children. This video does more damage to people then Marijuana does.

23/08/2011 8:01 PM said:

What a simplistic explanation of what cannabis does to people. And what a partial explanation. Why doesn’t a site/ campaign tell it how it is, rather than extrapolating evidence, and only representing that evidence that supports the idea that particular drugs are absolutely detrimental. Mental illness has a much more intricate web of connections between causes and effects. And this statistic alone of ‘1 in 7…’ does not make that connection between cannabis and mental illness. 1 in 5 people within the general population in Australia have a mental illness! How about that for a statistic.

25/08/2011 1:23 AM said:

I think you need to get more facts on cannacbis before you put these campaigns out. Some people do get the symptoms you talk about but they are usually taking other drugs with the cannabis. I've been smoking cannabis for over 20 years now and have none of those symptoms but then I only smoke occasionally and smoke it because I have a medical condition.Cannabis is'nt a gateway drug to other drugs people choose to take these drugs themselves.

25/08/2011 7:44 PM said:
This place doesn't seem to tell the story of the millions of people world wide who use cannabis without detriment. Shame to see such a one sided debate.

27/08/2011 9:43 PM said:

most people that have a mental illness turn to plants and natural alternatives because the medication they have been prescribed with simply dose not work. some cases it causes the person to kill them self's that's a side effect of the medication. there has never been any evidence that cannabis can harm a person its an illegal substance, so there for it can not be proven that it dose harm because of the lack on scientific evidence. these so called statistics are simply trying to pass the blame on to a plant that's been used for 1000's of years without any implications nice try government! ps the government puts 60% tax on the price of fuel so instead of $1.40pl you could be paying around $0.45 cents pl. do you really think the government care's about the people of this country its called greed!

29/08/2011 8:08 PM said:
In response to ^^. Firstly I think you will find it is actually 1 in 10 Australians that have a mental illness. Secondly clear links have been shown in the scientific literature that cannabis is directly linked to mental health problems and more likely to cause mental health problems than alchohol.

2/09/2011 12:03 PM said:

yep you're right. Let's all stop smoking weed in moderation and being creative and thoughtful while doing so. Instead, we'll drink until we're drunk idiots. Then we can fight in the streets on Saturday nights instead. Awesome. Of course, like any drug (alcohol included) marajuana has the potential for misuse. If you use too much, do it too often or start too young of course things can go wrong. But used sensibly, this drug is far from evil - and can be quite the opposite. By the way, 1 in 5 Australians report mental health problems. So your campaign is actually pro-cannabis. Maybe I shouldn't be complaining.

2/09/2011 1:42 PM said:
I don't see any scientific evidence to back up any one of these claims. What are your sources? Anyone can claim anything - that doesn't mean it's true. Looks more like propaganda to me. I know lots of people who have smoked pot for many years and not one of them has suffered mental illness or any of the other false claims on this site.

19/09/2011 12:07 PM said:
i cannot see what is wrong with this site

25/09/2011 10:16 PM said:
Has anyone else noted the lack of content in the other drug info tabs compared to Cannabis, oh that's right its because cannabis is the devils weed, the worst of the lot, the one that must be eliminated from society at all cost, we are the drug aware experts, you will be assimilated resistance is useless.

29/09/2011 11:51 PM said:
Cannabis causes NO serious side effects at all. The worst it does is cause dry mouth for a little while.

5/09/2011 5:17 PM said:

What evidence do you use to back up your sweeping statements like “1 in 7 cannabis users experience mental health issues”? Although I guess at least 1 in 7 cannabis users do have high levels of stress or anxiety at the thought of being arrested for using cannabis. Blaming cannabis as the sole cause of mental health issues in cannabis smoker whilst ignoring factors like poverty, homelessness or family dysfunction is deliberately simplistic and misleading. Why do you not mention that many people with mental health issues self medicate with cannabis to cope with stress and symptoms. Why do you not mention that the most available type of cannabis (hydroponic) has been selectively bred to have high THC levels, and lower levels of the naturally occurring anti-psychotic CBD. And that research has convincingly proved that an imbalance in the THC/CBD ratio causes extreme anxiety, paranoia and possibly psychoses. If you're going to attempt anti-drug propaganda, at least try and base it on some facts, instead of just the usual paternalistic and insulting 'drugs are bad...k'

20/09/2011 1:49 AM said:
This web page is fake and spreading propaganda,do your own searches. Specificly about the health benifits organic cannabis has to offer.

17/08/2011 8:12 AM said:

Yeah I'd like to make a comment. That ad you guys ran in the xpress magazine this morning is an absolute disgrace. Not only are you using fear spreading propaganda tactics that have been used since the 1930's in America but they're also lies. I mean cannabis causes aggressive outbursts? Let me guess, you guys watched Reefer Madness the 1936 film and actually believed that it can lead to an individual turning into a psycho and murdering their friends. Disgraceful. And the comments about 13 to 17 year olds and cannabis use? Why don't you focus on the prevalent use of alcohol in children which in fact is 10000x worse. What a joke.

8/10/2011 10:01 PM said:

I used to smoke weed for 8 years....until i failed a urine test at work. I quit now, been a week.....cant get back to work until it disappears from my urine...so, no pay. sitting at home....iv been drinking now.....went to a hooker last nigh for the first time in my life....im 32. I not once smoked in the morning before going to work....only after gettin back from work...to relax and chill. Yes...i guess i can be more smart and cunning now....a saliva test to check for current impairment i can understand....but urine....anyways....I will smoke weed again.....after i retire or after the people who make such laws realize what assholes they have been. Its good to know that ICE disappears from the system in 2-3 days....and i get a similar high as weed. Keep judging me with my bodily fluids.....i am a hyperactive person by birth.....and weed used to make me normal like society.....now ill just be a hyperactive person where ever i go....and dont you dare mess with me :(

8/09/2011 3:24 AM said:

"the war on drugs has failed" Global Commision on Drug Policy. Its never killed anyone in 2000 years of use, cant cause cancer( helps cancer treatment), promotes brain cell GROWTH. The laws are dated and do not work, we should give straight facts, not worse case scenairos. Yes certain people should not use marijuana, and those are the ones with mental disorders or its not for them. One puff wont cause you to jump out a window or beat your kids and wife like alcohol is known for. Hemp is the most useful plant on earth. Take the criminal element out of it and tax and regulate it, more profit for the government. Stop fear mongoring and focus on hard drugs that cause actual harm. Leave users alone because they are youre neighbour, doctor, lawyer and even police officer. Clog up the prison system with non violent offenders and wreck there carreers with a criminal record. funny, new entertainment centres, train lines etc. and fines for weed go up, interesting. It makes you laugh, hungry and occasionally sleepy, users are not fiends commiting crimes to fund habits, it is no gateway drug if anything alchohol is the gateway drug, more likely to sip beer before your first toke. GET A LIFE POLITICIANS AND SEE THE BIGOTRY AND SPIN DOCTOR TACTICS, AND ENFORCING UN-ENFORCABLE LAWS. tell the people the truth on all your "studies", you always sponsor anti marijuana research, what about pro marijuana research, even out the playing field, you go out looking for a reason to make it illegal and you will find it. THERE IS SO MUCH WRONG ABOUT YOUR "FACTS", THERE IS NO ROOM IN A COMMENT TO FINISH, KIDS READING WATCH SOME DOCOS, DRUGS ARE NOT FOR KIDS ANYWAY. ITS NOT ANTI SOCIAL WHEN ALL SOCIETY DOES IT.

17/08/2011 8:16 AM said:
Wheres the video about the medicinal properties of cannabis and the literally 1000's of people that make their life worth living every day of the year. Ask any MS patient. YES we must protect the children but lets not lie and present bullshit statistics

8/09/2011 2:07 PM said:
agreed this video isn't exactly the most truthful of videos and if people want to smoke Marijuana they can and if they are not doing any harm to anyone leave them be.

8/09/2011 4:58 PM said:

Agreed with comment 17/08/2001 5:13AM. Scare mongering websites like this perpetuate problems, particularily in its advertising. As a general thing, western psychology/ethics/social sciences can barely touch on the broader infinate spectrum of human consciousness that an individual holds. The current conventional "Drug Education" model that we'd probably still see in schools today, lack in teachings on the variety of drugs on this earth and humans relationship and history with them. For example, so many cultures use cannabis, psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca for teachings, emotional cleansing, development of well-being etc. Caffeine is probably the most socially acceptable psychoactive substance in the western world, yet the dependance for it is so common. In an individual, "panic attacks", "paranoia" obviously come from an individuals current perception of reality depending on their current philosophies or upbringing in life, and in essence contribute to form their current "character traits". It's not the substance that is the problem, its the individual. The individual can choose to abuse/depend. The individual has the power to choose what he or her feels. The big issue is that western society lacks in broader education and philosophical teachings that would help individuals explore infinate possibilities of conciousness and perception that would help purge away mental health issues we see in todays society. This "Cannabis Paranoia Flow Chart" campaign is simply touching on what any normal human being would probably experience day to day. Im sure drug counsellors would agree.

8/09/2011 11:32 PM said:
abosolutely ridiculous, cant come up with legitimate scientific reasons, so you make a little 'extra caution' caused by herb seem like this.

view all

All comments and feedback must be constructive

Using even a small amount of cannabis can increase your risk of mental health problems, including anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks and schizophrenia. 1 in 7 cannabis users report experiencing mental health problems. This risk increases the earlier you start and the more you use.

13 to 17 year olds that use cannabis are 3 times more likely to experience depression compared to those that don’t. This risk increases the earlier you start and the more you use.

1 in 10 people who have used cannabis are at risk of dependence. This risk increases the earlier you start and the more you use.

Using even a small amount of cannabis can affect your ability to remember things, This risk increases the earlier you start and the more you use.

Using even a small amount of Cannabis can cause serious side effects that can affect your physical and mental health, and wellbeing. We’re here to set the record straight. Read up on the facts, or chat live and confidentially with a qualified drug counsellor and ask some questions of your own.

Live Chat disclaimer

If you require immediate help, call the Alcohol and Drug Information Service on (08) 9442 5000 or 1800 198 024 toll-free for country callers.

What is a bong?
A bong is a water pipe that is used for smoking cannabis.

Can cannabis affect the brain?
Frequent use of cannabis can affect the brain by decreasing the user’s ability to concentrate and remember things and can also impact on learning ability. Research indicates that cannabis affects the frontal cortex of the brain, leading to less self control.

If you are a first timer and you tried it, how long does it stay in your system afterwards?
Cannabis can last in your system for up to 5 weeks, however with one time use this may be a little less. However, it is difficult to determine as every individual is different. Read more.

How long before cannabis leaves your system and is no longer detectable in a blood or urine test?
It is suggested that a single joint can last from 18 hours to 5 days until it is no longer detectable in urine, and 20-36 hours until it is no longer detectable in blood. Heavy cannabis use can take 60-90 days until it can be no longer detectable in urine, and 20-36 hours until it is no longer detectable in blood.

What type of drug is Cannabis?
Cannabis is difficult to classify pharmacologically because it has a variety of effects. It is primarily a depressant drug, however, it can have hallucinogenic and some stimulant properties.

What are the other names for cannabis?
Mull, Pot, Dope, Weed, Leaf, Gunga, Marijuana, Grass, Smoke, Green, hashish, hashish oil

Where does cannabis come from?
Cannabis is the short name for the hemp plant Cannabis Sativa. It is thought to have originated in Asia and reached Europe more than a thousand years ago.

What is Hashish?
Hashish is the dried, compressed resin extract from the flowering tops of the female plant. It ranges in colour from light brown to nearly black, and is more potent than marijuana. Hashish is usually smoked through a pipe or cooked in foods and eaten.

What is Hashish oil?
Hashish oil is a think and oily liquid extract from the cannabis plant. It is reddish-brown in colour. The Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the active ingredient, is very concentrated and a small amount will produce marked effects. Hashish oil is usually added to joints or cooked in foods and eaten.

How is Cannabis used?

If you are pregnant, can you still smoke cannabis? Even occasionally?
Only a limited amount is known about the effects of cannabis on the unborn child. However, the use of cannabis during pregnancy is not recommended. If cannabis is used in pregnancy the baby may be born smaller and lighter than other babies. Low birth weight can be associated with infections and breathing problems. Read more.

Is driving after using cannabis dangerous?
Yes. Cannabis can impair driving ability by: Hesitancy over reactions; Slower reaction times; Distorting perceptions of distance and speed; Greatly reducing the ability to concentrate; Decreasing the ability to coordinate appropriate reaction when driving; Read more.

Can you overdose from cannabis?
The toxicity of cannabis is very low. There have been no confirmed deaths directly from cannabis overdose. Cannabis use can lead to a number of serious negative health consequences and can increase the risk of injury to yourself and to others.

I have heard that using cannabis reduces your motivation and drive. Is this true?
Many regular users of cannabis, especially young users, find that they begin to lose energy and drive, and interest in other activities. Their performance in school or work often suffers.

How long does cannabis stay in your system?
Cannabis can be detected in blood for up to 20-36 hours, but can be present in urine from 18 hours after use to 90 days after use.

How long after consuming cannabis can it be detected in saliva?
Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (the active component in cannabis) can be detected in saliva for up to 4 hours after use, but can depend on the amount and potency used, and a person’s metabolism rate.

Will THC be detected if it is inhaled by passive smoking?
Having Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in saliva from passive smoking is very unlikely and if it were it would be at extremely low levels that would not be detected by the screening devices.

Can you get addicted to cannabis?

My friends say that cannabis is safer to use than other drugs, and there are things you can do to use cannabis safely. What can you do?

Is it true that the strength of cannabis varies between different parts of the plant?
Yes this is true. The flowers of the female plant contain more Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis which is responsible for the “high” people feel, then the stem or the leaves.

Some of my friends use cannabis and alcohol at the same time. Is this dangerous?

Why does it take so long for cannabis to leave your body?
Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, is not soluble in water, but is very soluble in fat. Because of this, it is quickly absorbed into your body fat deposits from the blood stream.

Can cannabis interfere with your sex drive and hormones?
Some heavy users of cannabis have indicated that they have experienced a lowered sex drive, and may have lowered sperm count, or irregular menstrual cycles.

Which form of cannabis is usually the strongest?
Hashish oil contains the most Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). As the THC is very concentrated in hashish oil, only a small amount will produce marked effects.

Are the effects of cannabis felt more quickly when it is smoked compared to when it is eaten?

Is smoking cannabis better for you than smoking tobacco?
No. Even if users smoke only cannabis, they are still at risk of diseases associated with smoking such as bronchitis and lung cancer. Marijuana cigarettes, or joints, have 50 to 100 per cent more tar than tobacco cigarettes.

About this campaign