GET EDUCATED | Key facts you should know

What does cannabis look like?

The drug comes in either; small, solid, brown lumps (which look a bit like liquorice) known as resin, or as leaves, stalks and seeds (from the cannabis plant) known as grass. Grass looks like green/brown tobacco. Cannabis may also come as sticky dark oil.

How is cannabis taken?

Cannabis is usually rolled with tobacco and smoked in a hand-rolled cigarette called a spliff, reefer or joint. Cannabis can also be smoked on it’s own in a special pipe, brewed into a drink or cooked and eaten in food. Cooking and eating cannabis makes the effects more intense and harder to control.

It can be very difficult to decide whether behaviour and appearance changes in teenagers are simply due to the ‘growing–up’ process or something more serious. If they display a worrying number of these symptoms, it may be time to take action. (

How can I spot the signs?

Behaviour change:

More sociableRelaxedTalkativeGigglyFood cravings (often referred to as the munchies)

BUT ALSO:

Sudden flare ups and upsets and becoming verbally abusive and possibly physically violent and throwing thingsSuicidal tendencies Perception is impairedJudgment is cloudedLyingSecretivenessLocking bedroom doorsChanging to new, often older friends and keeping away from previous onesSecret phone calls, going out and not saying where they are goingThings going missing from the house, particularly moneySchool grades dropping, Lack of interest in the future, lacking in ambition, couldn't care less attitude in a once conscientious,

  normal child/teen

Short-term memory and ability to concentrate affected badlyStarts to skip school (I altered this so as not to use the word ’affected’ again!)Neglect of hygieneUse can cause psychosis (Any use can cause psychosis, it just depends on how much they take)

Physical Changes:

Dark rings under the eyes Blank expressionDilated pupils (pupils become enlarged)Sensitive itchy and often red eyesRunny noseUnpredictable eating and sleeping patternsUnkempt appearance Speech slurredStomach upsets and crampsIndigestionRash around the mouthContinuous coughs and chest infections, sniffing.Increased appetite, particularly late after an evening outTiredness and lack of energyChain smoking.Paranoia.Unusual smell (such as burnt sage) on clothes and in rooms

What other effects are there?

It heightens the users' senses, especially when it comes to colours, taste and music. Cannabis impairs driving skills therefore increasing the risk of accidents, so never get into a car with someone who has just taken cannabis.Cannabis can badly affect the reproductive process and reduce the chance of having children. Sperm production is reduced and women can produce smaller babies with a variety of problems. (I think it best to keep it general here. They will find the details in the info section).

Signs in the house to look out for

Paraphernalia - Items connected to drug taking include; Matches, “Baggies” in pockets or around rooms (small square clear plastic bags), substances which looks similar to dried herbs, normally green, Rizla papers, torn up small pieces of card to make ‘roaches’ ( tubes inserted into a joint to cool down the hot smoke) Tiny little round burn marks on clothes, sheets or furniturePlant seeds/stems, silver foil, candles, blackened spoons, clothes with an unfamiliar or smoky smell, pipes, bongs.

Cannabis Skunk Support © 2009 | Charity no. 1125329 | CALL 0844 335 1506 |