HealthInfo Canterbury

Cannabis addiction or abuse

  

Cannabis is the name given to a drug found in the plant Cannabis sativa. Cannabis has a chemical in it called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC gives the stoned effect.

There are three common forms of cannabis, depending on what part of the plant is used. These are marijuana, hashish and hash oil. Cannabis can be smoked as joints, smoked via a water pipe or bong, or eaten in foods.

Many users of cannabis use it infrequently. They never develop problems in their lives from its use, and don't have withdrawal symptoms. Some people who use cannabis regularly find that they struggle with poor mood or mood swings. They also have poor motivation, irritability and poor sleep.

Cannabis is far less likely to produce addiction than other drugs of abuse. Some people can get addicted though, especially people who use it every day.

These people may develop unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if they have a day without cannabis or try to cut down or quit. Heavy users of cannabis can become paranoid and fearful. This usually settles down when the drug effect wears off.

Driving while stoned is illegal. If a police officer pulls you over while driving after taking drugs, you may lose your license or face a criminal conviction.

As cannabis is less addictive than other drugs of abuse, treatment for people who would like to quit is often successful.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• Ministry of Health – Cannabis and your health

  Information about the possible effects of cannabis on health, including when cannabis is used with other drugs such as alcohol and tobacco.

• The Level

  Information about drugs, including how to be safer when using drugs, how to make changes to your drug habits and advice about where to go for help.

• NZ Drug Foundation
  • Cannabis

    Information about what cannabis feels like, how to be safer using it, when to get help and how to cut down.

  • Video about cannabis

    This series of videos is aimed at teenagers and has everything a Kiwi teenager needs to know about common drugs in New Zealand. The videos can also help give adults confidence to start conversations about drugs with a young person.

    This video is also available in Māori.

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed June 2020.

Sources

Page reference: 520829

Review key: HIADG-47857