Cannabis: the facts

There is so much information out there about cannabis, it can be hard to know what is true. Often, people don’t realise that cannabis can be harmful to health until they already have a problem. We’ve put together the key facts below – some might surprise you!

  • It’s actually a lot harder to quit than many people think.
  • Young people often tell us that weed didn’t seem addictive at first. They only noticed how addictive it can be when they tried to stop.

  • Dealers in the UK sometimes say that their cannabis has come from places where it’s legal (like some states of the USA, or the Netherlands).
  • Usually this isn’t true. Illegal cannabis is usually grown here in the UK, but dealers will pretend it has come from somewhere else to make it seem like it’s higher quality.

  • Because the feeling of being stoned can block out how you’re feeling, some people think it helps them to feel less stressed or anxious.
  • The problem is, while this might feel like it helps in the short term, the side effects of weed can actually make anxiety much worse in the long term.

  • While THC is a natural substance found in cannabis plants, that doesn’t mean it can’t cause harm.
  • The weed for sale nowadays is much stronger than the “natural” plant ever was, and it can harm your mental and physical health.
  • Illegal weed or cannabis vapes can also have all sorts of nasty chemicals added so that they’re cheaper to make.

  • Because cannabis affects your mood and sleeping pattern, it can be really hard to cut down or stop once you’ve become a regular user.
  • “I kept thinking that I could just stop whenever I wanted. But any time I tried to stop, I couldn’t sleep and just felt so bad for days until I started again.”

  • It’s easy to see why some people think weed is helpful for sleep - it can make you feel drowsy.
  • It actually messes with your sleep pattern, stopping you from getting a proper rest. If you go to bed stoned, you don’t get the health benefits of a real sleep and often feel just as tired when you wake up.

  • Having too much cannabis is unlikely to be fatal.
  • BUT an overdose (when you’ve taken too much of something) can definitely happen, and the side effects are very unpleasant!
  • Getting too stoned can cause panic attacks, and often makes people feel really sick, sweaty or shaky.

  • Cannabis is illegal in the UK and cannabis possession is an offence.

  • This is true, but it’s important to understand why!
  • THC - the chemical that makes you high - messes with your body’s ability to keep blood sugar at a normal level
  • This makes you crave fatty or sugary foods as your body tries to get your blood sugar back to normal

  • This is partly true. Cannabis can be prescribed in the UK, but only for a very small number of people.
  • Like any drug that’s used as medicine, it’s only given to people who have a particular illness or condition.
  • Doctors in the UK will only prescribe cannabis to people with serious conditions like epilepsy or MS (multiple sclerosis).
Together for Children’s Early Help Service is available to support you with any concerns about your children, your family and your home circumstances. This might be about behaviour, problems at school, housing, debt, routines and boundaries, or other difficulties you're experiencing. Getting help early helps to prevent little concerns from becoming big concerns.
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Need advice?

If you want some advice or help to stop using cannabis, or to cut down how much you use, YDAP can help.

Follow this link to find out how they can give you confidential advice and support.
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Are you a parent?

If you are a parent looking for advice on your child’s cannabis use, visit our “For Parents” page.

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