Tips to Stay Healthy and Drug-free

Youth Crime Prevention Centre

Miss Momo Lai15 May 2019

Facts and Effects of Cannabis

What is cannabis?

Also called grass, pot, hash, weed, reefer, dope, herb, ganja, joint, etc.

Recreational cannabisIn form of:

- Marijuana: most common; dried leaves and flowers- Hashish: ‘hash’, in form of a small block- Edibles: mixed in food like brownies, cookies, candy;

brewed as tea

A joint prior to rolling Hashish Weed brownies

Upon consumption of cannabis...

- Mood changes: euphoria, state of relaxation; anxiety, nervousness

- Altered senses; hallucination- Distorted illusion of time and space- Impaired body movement- Impaired concentration and memory

Cannabis can act differently on different people

Cannabis acts on various regions in the brain (highlighted in yellow).

Legality of Cannabis

Cannabis in Hong Kong

‘In Hong Kong, cannabis and tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC), a major compound of cannabis, are dangerous drugs controlled under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap. 134). Any products, including food products and drinks, that contain cannabis or THC are also controlled under Cap. 134. Trafficking in dangerous drugs, or illicitly importing to and exporting from Hong Kong, procuring, supplying, manufacturing, or dealing in or with dangerous drugs, constitutes a criminal offence. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million. Illicitly possessing, or smoking, inhaling, ingesting or injecting dangerous drugs is subject to a maximum penalty of imprisonment for seven years and a fine of $1 million.’

Legal status of recreational cannabis across the worldLegalIllegal but decriminalizedIllegal but often unenforcedIllegal

Legality of Cannabis (Spain, Netherlands & Switzerland) ● Spain:

○ Illegal for commercial purposes, but decriminalized for personal cultivation and use

● Netherlands: ○ Use and sale (not more than 5g) is tolerated in

licensed coffeeshops ○ Possession of up to 5g (0.2oz) for personal use is

decriminalised

● Switzerland: ○ Possession of 10g or less is decriminalized to a fine

Legality of Cannabis (Canada)

● Legalised● Adults may possess up to 30g of cannabis at a time, but

provinces and territories can make further restrictions● Illegal on all international flights

Legality of Cannabis (US)● Recreational use is legal in 10 states: Alaska, California,

Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont & Washington

● Remains a Schedule I drug at Federal level, prohibiting even its medical use

Case sharing

● 19 years old and a university student ● First time trying cannabis: given by a friend and

curious about the effect ● Continue to take cannabis when he was

preparing DSE for reducing stress ● Caught by the Police for possession of

dangerous drugs

Here are some thoughts from Peter towards cannabis…

‘Cannabis is not harmful because it has been promoted as

“organic” in some social media and being legalized in some

foreign countries’

Undesirable Acute Effects

● Anxiety● Paranoia● Fear / panic● Impairs cognitive development● Impairs psychomotor performance (Most commonly found

drug in fatal road accident victims)

'One would not become addicted to cannabis.'

Cannabis Addiction

● Around 30% of cannabis users develop cannabis use disorder

● Adolescence use: 4-7X more likely to develop use disorder

‘Taking cannabis is an effective way to relieve

stress’

Cannabis and Emotions

● Cannabis use in adolescence is associated with increased risk of depression, suicidal thoughts and suicidal attempts in young adulthood

● Cannabis use cannot solve the root of the problem!

Resistance Strategies

Tips to manage work pressure

Replace self-critical thoughts with

positive thoughts

Prioritize Your Priorities

Use quick cool down or relaxation

techniques

Eat right, exercise regularly and sleep

well

Seek out social support

Tips for healthy happy hour

Happy hours may be

considered as relaxed

version of a business meeting

Alcohol is not a must

Monitor your alcohol

intake

Be careful when you are receiving any

drink or“cigarette”

● Aware products with wordings like “THC”,“CBD”, “HEMP”

● Think carefully when you make the decisions

● Different ways to make rejection● Be careful about the laws related

to Cannabis in specific countries ● Crossing international borders

with Cannabis is illegal, even between legalized states

Tips to stay away from drugs

Q&A