Is Cannabis Harmless?

Cannabis use is relatively common in the UK. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that, while there has been a recent fall in the numbers of people using cannabis, an estimated 6.8% (around 2.3 million people) aged 16 to 59 years in England and Wales had used the drug during the previous 12 months.

Cannabis is by far the most commonly used illegal drug in the UK, and part of the reason for this is a growing public perception of the substance as a harmless recreational drug.

The Growing Perception of Cannabis as ‘Safe’

Cannabis was first prohibited in Britain in 1928. The relevant legislation now is the Misuse of Drugs Act of 1971, under which cannabis is classified as a Class B drug. Over that close to a hundred years, however, there have been frequent calls for cannabis to be decriminalised or legalised.

The Liberal Democrats said they wanted to introduce a legal, regulated market for cannabis as part of their 2024 general election campaign and cannabis-based products have been available through specialist prescribers for certain limited conditions in the UK since 2018. These conditions include epilepsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), chronic pain and some cancer-related symptoms.

Add the availability of legal recreational cannabis products in other places, including Canada, Germany and some States of the USA and you can see why many people believe that cannabis use must be safe. Recent YouGov polling found that 45% of the public (and 39% of MPs) support the legalisation of cannabis in the UK, while a clear majority (73% of the public and 83% of MPs) agree that doctors should be able to prescribe cannabis for medical use.

There has undoubtedly been a cultural shift and normalisation of cannabis use in the UK. Debates around legalisation influence public perception, but the reality is that cannabis isn’t harmless.

Is Cannabis Harmless?

Cannabis is not harmless. It can have a number of short and long-term effects associated with misuse.

Known Short-Term Effects

Cannabis effects that people typically seek out can include:

• A sense of euphoria or high
• Relaxation and stress relief
• Altered perceptions, including the physical senses and perception of time

Some short-term effects that can be less positive could include:

• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Increased heart rate
• Anxiety or paranoia
• Impaired memory and cognitive ability
• Physical symptoms include dry mouth and red, bloodshot eyes
• Increased appetite (‘the munchies’)

Using cannabis also affects motor control, reaction times, coordination and decision-making processes. This could increase the chance of accident, injury and making poor or harmful decisions.

It’s also worth remembering that ‘drug driving’ is a crime in the UK. A roadside drug kit can be used to screen for cannabis, and a conviction could lead to a minimum 1-year driving ban, an unlimited fine and up to 6 months in prison.

Long-Term Risks

The NHS notes that cannabis has been linked to mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, most research has focused on the link between cannabis and psychosis. Psychosis is the name given to symptoms or experiences, which include hallucinations and delusions. This can be extremely distressing, potentially dangerous and can have a huge impact on your life and wellbeing.

The NHS also says that there is a lot of reliable evidence to show a link between cannabis use – especially with more potent strains – and other psychotic illnesses, including schizophrenia.

Mental health charity Mind UK also points out that recreational drugs can interact with prescribed medications in a variety of ways. For example, cannabis use can reduce the effects of antipsychotics like clozapine or olanzapine. This can increase the risk for people using these medications for existing mental health issues.

Cannabis use can also affect development in young people. A recent Canadian study found that the impact of teenage use of cannabis on thinking skills, memory and behaviour was worse and more long-lasting than that of underage drinking, including once the subjects had stopped using the drug.

Cannabis can also have long-term physical effects, especially if you smoke it. These can include increasing the risks of heart disease and lung cancer.

Why ‘It’s Natural’ Doesn’t Equal Harmless

Some people will make the argument that because cannabis is natural, it must also be safe. In general terms, cannabis may be less harmful than some man-made recreational substances, including synthetic cannabinoids like those collectively known as spice. This is because synthetic cannabinoids are deliberately tailored to be more potent, but it certainly doesn’t make plant-based cannabis any safer. There are many, many plants and natural substances that are poisonous and harmful and the argument that ‘natural = harmless’ simply doesn’t stand up.

It’s also worth noting that many strains of cannabis currently available have been cultivated over time to increase levels of the psychoactive ingredients (typically THC) compared to ‘natural’ varieties of the cannabis plant.

Cannabis Addiction and Withdrawal

While cannabis addiction does not typically have the same serious physical symptoms as some drugs, including opioids and alcohol, there is plenty of evidence that cannabis can be addictive. According to the NHS, around one in ten regular cannabis users become dependent on the drug. As well as cravings and a strong compulsion to continue using the drug, this can lead to psychological and physical withdrawal symptoms, including:

• Insomnia
• Restlessness
• Mood swings
• Anxiety

Psychological dependency can be very difficult to deal with, and withdrawal should be carefully managed – preferably with a supervised detoxification and rehab programme.

Getting Help With Cannabis Use

While it might not be as physically harmful as some ‘hard’ drugs such as fentanyl, heroin or cocaine, it’s a fact that cannabis is not harmless. The myth that cannabis is safe to use can even lead to a false sense of security that results in increased usage and long-term problems, including mental health issues and dependency.

At Addiction Advocates, we have a wealth of experience in getting people the help they need for addictions and associated problems. This can include dual diagnosis treatment to address addiction and mental health issues that can co-exist and interact in different ways. If you need help with your cannabis use, or know someone else who does, contact us today to find out how we can help.