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Issue Description
Cannabis is the most widely-used illegal drug in Britain: one 15-year-old in four now admits to
having tried it at least once. Users say it is relaxing and fun, but there are worries that it may affect both physical and mental health, with stronger strains such as “skunk” being a particular worry. This book looks at the effects of cannabis on health, at cannabis use among young people and at its position within the law.
The information comes from a variety of sources, including government reports and statistics, newspapers and magazine articles, surveys and polls, academic research and literature from charities and lobby groups; articles have been tailored to an 11 to 14 age group. Additionally, at the end of each chapter are two pages of activities relating to the articles and issues raised in that chapter.
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Key Facts
- Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in Britain. (page 1)
- Cannabis is illegal; it’s a class B drug. (page 3)
- Approximately four per cent of the world’s adults – some 162 million people – use cannabis at least once in the course of a year, making it the world’s most widely-used illicit drug. (page 4)
- Around one in ten cannabis users have unpleasant experiences, including confusion, hallucinations, anxiety and paranoia. (page 5)
- Cannabis was first made illegal in 1928. (page 8)
- Cannabis has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes. It has even been claimed that Queen Victoria was prescribed the drug to relieve period pain. (page 11)
- If the police think that you are dealing cannabis, they will arrest you. If you are convicted of supplying or intending to supply cannabis, you can be sentenced to a maximum of 14 years in prison and given an unlimited fine. If you sell cannabis near schools, you can get a stiffer prison sentence. (page 18)
- The Government is currently spending £1.5 billion a year on its drugs policy. (page 23)
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Table of Contents
Chapter One: The Effects of Cannabis
Cannabis, Risks of cannabis use, Impact of cannabis on bones ‘changes with age’, Schizophrenia link to cannabis denied, Cannabis and mental health, Cannabis and the risks, Medicinal use of cannabis, Marijuana use around the world, Activities.
Chapter Two: Cannabis and the Law
Cannabis: the law has changed, David Nutt: my views on drugs classifications, The big question, The phoney war on drugs – summary, Poll reveals anger at cannabis law, Activities.
