Cannabis
– let facts guide your decisions
In this document we will describe what cannabis
and synthetic cannabinoids are, their intoxication
effects, how they affect us in the short and long
term as well as the risks this may entail. Let us
start with four common questions on cannabis:
Is it possible to become addicted to
cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids?
Yes, and it can occur almost without you noticing it
as the physical withdrawal symptoms are fairly mild.
The addiction is more psychological than physical.
You crave those first experiences of intoxication
but if you continue to use the drug on a regular
­basis ­another mechanism will come into the picture.
You will then find yourself in a permanent state of
­lethargy and ­passivity and will only feel active and
normal after using the drug.
Is it true that cannabis
is legal in certain countries?
Can cannabis be used as
a medicinal product?
In accordance with the UN Single Convention on
Narcotic Drugs, all free trade of substances classified as narcotics, such as cannabis, is prohibited.
Despite the drug being illegal, some countries have
weakened the legislation and allow for example the
possession of a small amount of cannabis for personal use. In Sweden it is prohibited to use, possess,
sell and help others acquire cannabis.
Cannabis has medicinal effects and
can ease pain, nausea, lack of appetite
and muscle cramps – but it can also
cause severe adverse effects such as
anxiety, hallucinations and depression.
Cannabis is not an approved pharmaceutical. However, the Netherlands
and some US states still approve the
use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. This is currently not the case
in ­Sweden. However, there is an oral
spray in ­Sweden, …available only by
prescription, which contains THC
(a substance in cannabis that affects
the brain’s ­receptors). It is used to
reduce spastic cramps in people suffering from the neurological disease MS.
There is also a great deal of research
currently underway which seeks to
find new ­effective and secure pharmaceuticals that affect the same systems
in the body as ­cannabis does.
Is alcohol more dangerous
than cannabis?
It is pointless to compare the danger of two different
drugs. Both result in intoxication, which increases
the risk of accidents and impairs judgment. Both
can also be addictive. In addition, both have harmful long-term effects when used repeatedly. Alcohol can damage the liver and cause cancer, among
other things. The most thoroughly proven longterm risk of cannabis and synthetic cannabinoid
use is that they impair brain function, particularly
in young people. You can read more on page 6
about these damaging effects on the brain.
Cannabis
Cannabis is an umbrella
term for marijuana, hash
and hash oil that are pro­
duced from hemp plants including
Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica.
The most common way to use hash
and marijuana is to smoke it. Hash
oil can be used by heating it up and
­inhaling the vapour. Cannabis pre­
parations can also be mixed into
food or drink and taken orally.
Synthetic
cannabinoids
There are growing numbers of syn­
thetically produced drugs, made to
give intoxicating effects similar to
those obtained by cannabis. These substances
are called synthetic cannabinoids and are often
mixed with herbs and/or tobacco. The mixes
are intended for smoking. Examples of product
names are Spice, Black Mamba, K2 and Lava
Red. The smoke mixtures often contain higher
concentrations of active ingredients than
cannabis, which also increases the risks.
Marijuana
Hash
Hash Oil
– the bud and other
plant parts that have
been dried and ground…
into fine particles.
Looks similar to dried
grass or herbs.
– dried resin from the
hemp plant, brown or
almost black pieces.
– extracted from the
plant with the aid of
chemical solvents,
a thick brown liquid.
4
How cannabis
affects you
Cannabis contains many substances that affect the psyche. The strongest one is
delta-g-tetrahydrocannabinol, THC.
Researchers have so far identified two types of receptors that cannabis binds to in
the body, and given them the designations CB1 and CB2. CB1 is the most common
in the brain. When THC binds to these receptors in the brain, several different signal systems are affected. One of the effects is that the neurotransmitter dopamine is
released in the brain reward system. The release offers a harmonious sense of pleasure and is at the same time strongly linked to the development of addiction. During
cannabis intoxication, sensory impressions are enhanced.
The reward system is far from the only area of the brain affected by cannabis. Areas
in the frontal parts of the brain are also sensitive to cannabis intoxication and they
govern functions such as analysis, decision making and control over behaviour.
­Cannabis intoxication therefore impairs capacity for thought and impulse control.
The decreased capacity for thought can manifest through difficulties to
concentrate, poor memory and impaired learning ability. Emotions can also be
changed in a distressing manner. It can result in a feeling of panic and paranoia.
Physical short-term effects include raised pulse, increased hunger, dry mouth, large
pupils, bloodshot and watery eyes, clumsiness and poor balance.
5
Impaired memory and
difficulties in learning
Those who regularly use cannabis like to compare it to alcohol and think that one
advantage with cannabis is that there is no hangover. It is easy to be deluded by the
fact that you do not feel a hangover effect and believe that the effects of the drug
quickly leave your system. In actual fact, THC leaves the body very slowly. This is
because the substance, unlike the water-soluble alcohol, is fat-soluble and stored in
organs with a high fat content. One such organ is the brain. When THC enters the
body it transforms into several degradation products that are secreted in the urine.
After using cannabis on a single occasion, degradation products can be traced in a
urine sample for 1–2 weeks afterwards. After a period of continuous cannabis use,
degradation products can be traced in the urine two months after the last occasion.
The fact that THC leaves the body so slowly means that the decrease in brain
functions lasts significantly longer than the 2–3 hours that the immediate cannabis
intoxication lasts. Research shows that short-term memory and learning ability as
a rule are impaired for 1–2 days. THC stays in the body much longer than that and
with repeated use, this storage process means that the levels are constantly high
enough to impair brain functions. Consequently, if an individual smokes cannabis
1–2 times per month or more frequently, their memory, concentration and learning
abilities are constantly impaired. They also become less capable of expressing themselves and planning ahead. This means that academic studies and cannabis use is an
unsuccessful combination.
6
If an individual smokes cannabis 1–2 times per month or
more frequently, their memory, concentration and learning
abilities are constantly impaired. They also become less
capable of expressing themselves and planning ahead.
This means that academic studies and cannabis use
is an unsuccessful combination.
The brains of young people are particularly sensitive to
­damaging effects as the brain’s biological maturity continues
to the age of 25. A number of research results indicate that the
brain cannot fully repair the damaging effects of cannabis even
if you stop using the drug. One study showed that individuals
who started smoking cannabis when they were teen­agers
had a lower IQ when they were middle-aged, even
though they had stopped smoking many years ago.
Early use of cannabis also entails an increased risk
of developing anxiety syndromes, depression and
addiction to cannabis or other drugs later in life.
Memory, concentration and learning ability are
impaired by cannabis. The abilities to analyse and
make decisions are also affected.
7
Synthetic cannabinoids
often entail even
greater risks
”Not for human consumption” is often printed on the drugs sold on various websites. Substances with intoxicating effects are created in laboratories and sold, but
the manufacturers do not want to take responsibility for how their products affect
health. At the same time there are powerful financial interests that argue for the
legalisation of these drugs.
Many of these online drugs are synthetic cannabinoids – substances made to give
intoxicating effects similar to those obtained by cannabis. According to experts, such
products can entail some of the same risks connected to cannabis, but also greater
and more serious risks as the substances bind even more to the brain receptors
­susceptible to cannabis.
Furthermore, the concentration of active ingredients is, as a rule, much higher in
synthetic products, which further increases the risks of damage. Finally, synthetic
canna­binoids are more dangerous because they lack the ingredient cannabidiol that is
found in the hemp plant and which to some extent lessens the damaging effects.
Synthetic cannabinoids have caused acute psychoses, panic attacks, palpitations,
increased blood pressure, vomiting and cramps, amongst others. There have also
been cases of deaths in connection with the use of synthetic cannabinoids.
8
Many of these online drugs are synthetic cannabinoids
– substances made to give intoxicating effects similar
to those obtained by cannabis. According to experts,
such products can entail some of the same risks con­
nected to cannabis, but also greater and more serious
risks as the substances bind even more to the brain
receptors ­susceptible to cannabis.
9
Risks
★★ Regular cannabis use can inhibit mental development and subsequently
affect personality. This is in part due to the effects of the drug impairing
the ability to reflect upon yourself and your views and to con­sciously
change your way of thinking.
★★ Cannabis use affects brain function. Memory as well as concentration and
learning ability are decreased.
★★ Cannabis use increases the risk of mental illness – depression, anxiety,
short-term psychoses, panic disorder and schizophrenia – and for suicide.
★★ The risk of traffic accidents increases: A compilation of collected inter­
national knowledge published in 2013 shows that smoking cannabis
within three hours prior to operating a vehicle almost doubles the risk of
causing a traffic accident. In this study the researchers could for the first
time separate the accident risks caused by cannabis from the risks caused
by alcohol and other drugs.
★★ Smoking cannabis during pregnancy can cause foetal damage and lead to
a slower mental and social maturity in the child, among other things.
★★ Smoking cannabis can cause lung cancer and other serious respiratory
diseases.
11
We hope that you have learned something new about cannabis and that you now
have facts that will help you make wise decisions in the future. If you want to
read more about cannabis you will find tips for further reading and links below.
Good luck with your studies!
Links
can.se, cannabishjalpen.se, drugsmart.com, droginfo.com
folkhalsomyndigheten.se, hjarnguiden.se
You can find advice
and support here
If you have questions about your own or someone else’s cannabis use, please
contact the Student Health Unit.
Solna Nobels väg 18, SE-171 82 Solna Östersund Forskarens väg 3, SE-831 40 Östersund
www.folkhalsomyndigheten.se
© Folkhälsomyndigheten, 2014 ISBN 978-91-7603-255-8 (pdf) ISBN 978-91-7603-256-5 (print) Graphic production: AB Typoform Print: Edita, 2014
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