Cannabis, called marijuana, ganja, weed, hashish, h, shit, teuchi, chocolate, etc., is most often smoked. It is sometimes added to a cake (space cake) or taken as an infusion. Whether your consumption is episodic or regular, consuming cannabis is risky.

WHAT IS CANNABIS?

Cannabis is a plant consumed in the form of grass, resin and more rarely oil. Its effects are mainly due to the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) it contains. The THC content varies greatly. Resin is generally more concentrated in THC than grass, which makes it potentially more dangerous. In addition, it contains toxic substances such as shoe polish or henna.

I ONLY USE OCCASIONALLY, AM I AT RISK?

Cannabis lowers your alertness, slows down your reflexes and changes your perceptions. These effects can lead to work-related accidents or road accidents.

CAN I HAVE A "BAD TRIP"?

You can have a "bad trip" if you have consumed too much of the product, if it was too concentrated in THC or depending on the context of your consumption. A bad trip is characterized by a feeling of unease, anxiety and loss of control. The increase in anxiety can be accompanied by tremors, palpitations, difficulty breathing, vomiting, sometimes leading to loss of consciousness. Very rarely, it can be a "cannabis psychosis", characterized by hallucinations and delusions, which may require hospitalization in a psychiatric institution.

CAN I BECOME DEPENDENT ON CANNABIS?

Regular and prolonged consumption of cannabis can lead to addiction. Certain signs should alert you:
An obsessive search for the product, places and occasions of consumption.
The presence of withdrawal symptoms when you do not consume: irritability, anxiety, stress, sleep or eating disorders, migraines.
The negative impact of your consumption on your social or family life: you are out of touch with reality, you mainly spend time with people who consume, you are disinterested in other activities, you have poor relationships with your loved ones, you isolate yourself, etc.
You can assess your consumption, for example with the CAST (Cannabis Abuse Screening Test) test which detects excessive consumption based on the answers (yes or no) to six questions.
Click here to access the questionnaire and assess your cannabis dependence

WHAT ARE THE RISKS IF I CONSUME REGULARLY?

Cannabis reduces your ability to concentrate and remember and can have a negative impact on your school or professional life.
Cannabis smoke, whether smoked with tobacco (joint), in a pipe (shilom) or in a water pipe (bong, hookah), is toxic to the respiratory system. It contains more tar than tobacco. It can cause chronic bronchitis or could cause cancers of the airways (lung, throat, mouth).
Cannabis is harmful if you suffer from high blood pressure or cardiovascular diseases. It can affect your fertility, especially if you are a man. In certain predisposed people, it can trigger or worsen long-term mental disorders such as schizophrenia or depression.

I AM ONLY A CONSUMER, AM I ILLEGAL?

Cannabis is currently a product classified as a narcotic. Possession of cannabis, even in very small quantities, is an offense punishable by a prison sentence, a fine of a few thousand euros, or alternative measures such as compulsory treatment.
Driving under the influence of cannabis is also an offense. The police can check you at any time, even when your vehicle is stationary. You will be required to be screened in the event of a fatal accident and are likely to be screened if you have had an accident resulting in bodily injury. Saliva tests detect cannabis 12 to 24 hours after consumption and urine tests for a few days. If they are positive, they will be confirmed by a blood test. You are then exposed to the following penalties: loss of points, temporary suspension or withdrawal of driving license, fine of several thousand euros, prison sentence or obligation to seek treatment. The penalties will be particularly severe if you have consumed both alcohol and cannabis or in the event of a repeat offense.
Cannabis is also on the list of doping products sought during sports competitions.

HOW CAN I REDUCE MY RISKS?

It is preferable to abstain because any consumption exposes you to risks. If you consume, you can nevertheless try to reduce these risks by taking a few precautions:
Never consume alone.
Do not consume too much, especially the first few times. Regulate your consumption according to the effect of the product. Be careful with "space cakes" that produce their effects in a delayed manner.
Do not consume if you are tired, anxious, depressed or if the context of your consumption does not satisfy you.
Avoid mixing, especially with alcohol, medication or other illicit drugs.
After consuming, do not engage in any responsible or risky activity, in particular do not drive.
Stop consuming if you want to conceive a child.
If you suffer from a chronic illness, physical or mental, if you are undergoing treatment, talk to your doctor about your consumption.

I WANT HELP

There are methods to stop consuming cannabis, either abruptly or gradually. It is important to adopt the strategy that suits you best, to find new activities and interests and to avoid situations in which you used to consume.
Free telephone numbers offer you a listening ear 7 days a week, websites provide you with information and systems and structures welcome you and help you stop your consumption.
Click here to find out about the assistance available to you
You can also seek help from a loved one or your doctor.
Cannabis is sometimes consumed in combination with other psychoactive substances: alcohol, tobacco, ecstasy. The risks are then increased. The risk of a fatal road accident is, for example, multiplied by fifteen in the case of combined consumption of alcohol and cannabis.