Cannabis is derived from the cannabis plant and has a history of use dating back to ancient times. People use cannabis for reasons such as improving their quality of life or due to peer pressure. The short term effects of cannabis include mood changes and impaired memory, while long term effects can include respiratory illnesses and mental health issues. Cannabis use is linked to conditions like anxiety, depression and psychosis. While cannabis has some potential medical uses, its use is also associated with health, social and financial costs to both individuals and society. The legal status of cannabis varies between decriminalization versus full legalization in different jurisdictions.
Cannabis is derived from the cannabis plant and has a history of use dating back to ancient times. People use cannabis for reasons such as improving their quality of life or due to peer pressure. The short term effects of cannabis include mood changes and impaired memory, while long term effects can include respiratory illnesses and mental health issues. Cannabis use is linked to conditions like anxiety, depression and psychosis. While cannabis has some potential medical uses, its use is also associated with health, social and financial costs to both individuals and society. The legal status of cannabis varies between decriminalization versus full legalization in different jurisdictions.
Cannabis is derived from the cannabis plant and has a history of use dating back to ancient times. People use cannabis for reasons such as improving their quality of life or due to peer pressure. The short term effects of cannabis include mood changes and impaired memory, while long term effects can include respiratory illnesses and mental health issues. Cannabis use is linked to conditions like anxiety, depression and psychosis. While cannabis has some potential medical uses, its use is also associated with health, social and financial costs to both individuals and society. The legal status of cannabis varies between decriminalization versus full legalization in different jurisdictions.
Cannabis is derived from the cannabis plant and has a history of use dating back to ancient times. People use cannabis for reasons such as improving their quality of life or due to peer pressure. The short term effects of cannabis include mood changes and impaired memory, while long term effects can include respiratory illnesses and mental health issues. Cannabis use is linked to conditions like anxiety, depression and psychosis. While cannabis has some potential medical uses, its use is also associated with health, social and financial costs to both individuals and society. The legal status of cannabis varies between decriminalization versus full legalization in different jurisdictions.
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TEACHER: MISS BENNET GYANJIT MAHAPATRA
9G Year 9 Health Assignment Task TASK 1:- Research/test i)
Research the following questions on cannabis
1. What is cannabis? Outline the history of its use. Answer: Cannabis is derived from the cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa) and is considered as an illegal drug (depressant as well as hallucinogen). Back in Middle Stone Age times, the cannabis plant was originally harvested for the fibre it produced to make from ship rigging to the noose that hangmen slipped around the necks of the person being hanged. 2. Why do people use cannabis? Answer: Surveys into why people use cannabis indicated that 1/2 users use it to improve their quality of life. Other possible reasons are to improve their social status, peer pressure, family & relatives, the eagerness to try something new and thinking it as a medicine. 3. What are the short term and long term effects of using cannabis? Answer: Using cannabis can affect your body detrimentally in several ways, depending on the person as well as the amount of time of it being taken. The short term affects are: mood changes: relaxed, 'high', sleepy, silly, anxious, depressed stronger sensory experiences impaired attention and memory hunger dizziness and nausea dilated pupils and blood-shot eyes increased heart-rate blood pressure changes (increase while sitting, falls when standing) The long term affects are:
sleepy looking eyes with bloodshot pupils
Infections of the respiratory system (lung cancer, bronchitis,
emphysema, chest infections etc.)
Infections of the circulatory system (increased heart rate and
blood pressure, increased risk of heart failure, poor circulation)
During pregnancy, the baby has a high chance of suffering from
lowered birth weight, foetal abnormalities, poor growth and development and a small head.
Heavy damage on the Central Nervous System (CNS) (short term
memory loss, hallucinating, impaired ability to learn new things, slower reactions, sleep disturbances, poor concentration, loss of motivation etc.)
Damage to the stomach and intestines (bleeding, ulcers, may lead
to cancer)
TEACHER: MISS BENNET GYANJIT MAHAPATRA
9G
Pancreas has a risk of getting cancer
The reproductive systems of both genders are affected (decreased
sperm count and movement, egg damage, irregular menstrual cycle, impaired fertility etc.) However, there hasnt been any reports of any deaths caused by cannabis which is quite surprising compared to alcohol and tobacco. 4. Can cannabis lead to dependence? Explain? Answer: Yes as cannabis users, from its excessive use, may see cannabis as an enhancer to their daily lifestyle or just a thing that makes them feel normal. 5. What are the trends of cannabis use in Australia? Answer: Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Australia, with a reported 1/3 of all Australians aged 14 or older (33.5%, about 5.8 million) having tried cannabis and 1.6 million using it in the past year. 6. Explain the link between the use of cannabis and mental illness/psychosis. Answer: From frequent uses of cannabis, researchers have found mental illnesses present on the user. These illnesses include anxiety, panic attacks, hallucinations, depression, delusions and schizophrenia which is a medical condition interfering the persons ability to think, feel and act. 7. Are there any medical uses for cannabis? Answer: it is not certain but cannabis is said to be in great medicinal value in the diseases: AIDS Cancer chemotherapy Chronic pain Epilepsy Glaucoma Menstrual cramps and labour pain Migraine Multiple Sclerosis 8. What are the health, social and financial cost of cannabis use to individuals and society? Answer: Health-related costs per user are eight times higher for drinkers than they are for those who use cannabis, and are more than 40 times higher for tobacco smokers, according to a report published in the British Columbia Mental Health and Addictions Journal. Social costs of cannabis are the loss of the ability to learn and be motivated as well as dramatically affecting the persons social behaviour. Financial costs of cannabis depend on the quality of the product. Prices vary from $1000$2000 per pound for cannabis.
TEACHER: MISS BENNET GYANJIT MAHAPATRA
9G 9. What is the law regarding cannabis use in Australia? Consider possession, supply and cultivation Answer: The law regarding cannabis use in Australia is the Australian Drug Misuse & Trafficking Act which reduced the amount of indoor cultivated cannabis plants. 10.Explain the difference between decriminalisation and legislation? Answer: If cannabis is decriminalised, then if a person would be in possession of a small amount of it, he/she will be faced a civil penalty such as a fine rather than a criminal charge. If cannabis is legalised this therefore means that cannabis is no longer an illicit drug but would be now legal. 11. In your opinion, why is cannabis illegal while tobacco and alcohol are legal? Answer: In my opinion, one reason I can think of why cannabis is illegal and alcohol and tobacco arent is that cannabis is usually associated with the many illegal drugs such as heroin, cocaine, ice, methamphetamine etc. therefore giving marijuana a bad picture compared to alcohol and tobacco. Another reason is that it priced at very high prices and can be home grown causing ethical issues.