Cannabis and You
As we are growing up, we learn to take control of our lives and to not let life take control of us. This section talks about non-medicinal cannabis use.
August 29 2025
Why do people use cannabis?
Eating great foods, exciting activities, spending time with friends, having sex or using drugs – these all affect the ‘feel good’ system in the brain. That is why people are attracted to these activities. But, it is important to know that these ‘feel good’ things are not always good for you.
Cannabis can block or relieve certain feelings such as anxiety. This helps us to avoid feelings that are bothering us, but it does not deal with the reason we are anxious. We may be able to avoid the feelings we don’t like by using cannabis, but the underlying concern is still there and we are responsible for anything we do while using. The question to keep in mind here might be: When is using a substance useful and when does it stop us from dealing with things that are really bothering us? A caring adult may be able to guide and support you while you sort this out.
How can using cannabis affect your health?
People have used cannabis for as long as we know. Sometimes people took it to bring relief for physical problems like pain, being unable to fall asleep or to improve appetite. This is still true today and you have probably heard that there is a lot of research going on concerning the use of cannabis as a medicine. But, we need more research to better understand how cannabis affects our health.
- We know it can help relieve pain, nausea and muscle problems from some medical conditions. Cannabis encourages appetite when someone loses weight as a result of HIV/AIDS or cancer treatment. It can also give relief from anxiety and depression linked to chronic illness.
- Many people who use cannabis socially say it helps them relax and increases their sense of well-being. On the other hand, some people feel anxious after using cannabis, which can cause them to withdraw from others. They may also have a hard time remembering things for several hours after smoking cannabis.
- It is dangerous to drive while under the influence of cannabis. Cannabis makes your reaction times slower and this can lead to accidents. If caught driving while under the influence of cannabis you can received a ticket, have your car impounded or be imprisoned, just like with alcohol.
- Cannabis can lower your inhibitions which may mean you do things you wouldn’t normally do like take part in high-risk sexual behaviour.
- Cannabis smoke also contains toxins, so over time, smoking a lot of cannabis can increase the risk of breathing problems such as coughing and shortness of breath.
What are some additional considerations?
Learn more about substance use
By exploring this section, you can learn how to manage substance use, how to reduce possible harms and make decisions that are right for you.
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