Cannabis - Marijuana

Cannabis (marijuana) is the most common illegal drug used in Australia. It is made from the dried flowers and leaves of a plant called Cannabis Sativa. Other names for marijuana are grass,  mull, pot, dope, and yarndi.

• NSW Government Resources
• Australian Resources
• International Resources
• Factsheets

NSW Government Resources

NSW Government Posters
The NSW State Government has announced a series of posters depicting young people and the effects of cannabis use. The poster images have been developed to highlight the dangers of cannabis use.

Department of Education

1. End of Year Celebration Kit 2004
   This kit has been developed by the Department of Education and Training to increase young people's knowledge and awareness of the issues relating to end of year activities. It contains help cards; FAQ's about cannabis, amphetamines and ecstasy; information about alcohol, dance parties, drink spiking, etc., and other websites about safe partying and drug related issues.

CommunityBuilders

1. Cannabis Information Campaign Phase 3
   A campaign developed by the NSW Government which targets early and potential users of cannabis. This phase targets young people aged 13 - 19 years and features a series of six posters which show the ways that cannabis can impact on relationships and friendships, physical health, driving ability, workplace behaviour and finances. This campaign was announced on 20 June 2004. Three of the posters appear as animated cinema advertisements and can be downloaded as an mpeg file.

NSW Health

1. Drug Programs Bureau: Cannabis in NSW
   Cannabis information on usage and statistics. There are also details about what NSW Health is doing.
2. Cannabis - What is the issue?
   Provides factual information on cannabis. It looks at why young people use this drug, discusses mental health problems, looks at some of the legal issues that are involved, etc. It also provides information on where to go for help.
3. Marijuana Factsheet
   A factsheet on marijuana containing an overview of this drug plus information on effects, dependence, withdrawal, mixing with other drugs, legal information, heroin and pregnancy, heroin and driving, plus helplines for information and advice.

NSW Attorney General's Department

1. Reducing Cannabis Consumption
   A report by Craig Jones and Don Weatherburn. An exploratory investigation into factors which might encourage regular cannabis users to stop or reduce their consumption of cannabis. 2002
2. Does prohibition deter cannabis use?
   A report by Don Weatherburn and Craig Jones discussing the prohibition against cannabis which exists in most Australian States and Territories. Research indicates fear of arrest, fear of imprisonment, the cost of cannabis or its availability do not appear to exert much effect on the prevalence of cannabis use, although they may exert some restraining effect on cannabis consumption among frequent cannabis users. August 2001
3. Cannabis and Crime: Treatment Programs for Adolescent Cannabis Use
   By Lily Trimboli and Christine Coumarelos - December 1998. This paper looks at the relationship between cannabis use by juveniles and their participation in crime.
4. Driving under the influence of cannabis in a New South Wales rural area
   A report released by the NSW Bureau of Crime and Statistics. This study examines the prevalence of driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC), and DUIC and alcohol together, in an area of Australia with a high number of young cannabis users. Results of this study are discussed in terms of their implications for public health and education campaigns. May 2003

NSW Police

NSW State Library - di@yll

1. Cannabis
   Information on di@yll directs you to links with information about cannabis. di@yll is part of a project between the State Library of NSW and the NSW Premier's Department. di@yll is designed to help libraries in NSW provide drug information

Back to top

Australian Resources

Australia. Dept. of Education, Science and Training
Cannabis and consequences
This cannabis education kit consists of a video, a parent information booklet and a guide for educators. The guide contains 24 activities for the middle years of secondary schooling and is divided into five sections: introduction, knowledge-gathering, help-seeking, video and web-based. Activities may be used for a one-off session or for a comprehensive unit on cannabis education and have been designed to promote multiple intelligence teaching methods. Activities encourage students to further their knowledge of cannabis issues, to identify the risks and harms of cannabis use and to develop skills in problem-solving, seeking help and decision-making.

Australia. Department of Health and Aged Care
Information on cannabis - including pharmacology, effects, 'at risk' groups, complications, tolerance and dependence.

Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC)
Information on cannabis, including legal aspects. This site also provides links to other sites with information on cannabis.

Druginfo Clearinghouse
Information on cannabis, including usage, effects, medical uses, psychosis, tolerance, dependence, treatment, etc.

National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC)
IDRS Drug Trends Bulletin - December 2006
Drug Policy Modelling Program – Monograph 14
Australian Drug Trends 2005
Australian Trends In Ecstasy And Related Drug Markets 2005

Monash University Accident Research Centre

1. Cannabis and road rafety: A review of recent epidemiological, driver impairment, and drug screening literature
   This report reviews the key issues concerning cannabis and road safety, including: patterns of cannabis use; the prevalence of cannabis in the driver population, drivers suspected of driving under the influence, and drivers killed or injured; effects on simulator and on-road driving; detection of cannabis in bodily samples; and measurement of impairment using performance tests such as the Standardised Field Sobriety Test. The report highlights the current gaps in knowledge and documents the specific areas of research that need to be pursued in future studies in order to further enhance our understanding of how cannabis influences driving skills. December 2004

myDr
myDr is an Australian healthcare Web site. This links to the myDr information on cannabis - including information on cannabis and driving, effects, tolerance, treatment, dependence, effects on pregnancy and breastfeeding, etc. It also contains information on cannabis use in Australia.

National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC)
A factsheet on this drug. It contains information about usage in Australia

Pfizer Health Report – Australians and Cannabis
Survey of 1,439 Australian adults about their attitudes to cannabis use including health and social impacts and government policy.

Reforming the Old and Refining the New: A Critical Overview of Australian Approaches to Cannabis
A research paper by Maurice Rickard, on cannabis use in Australia from the Australian Parliamentary Library. 2001

South Australia - Government: Cannabis - an information booklet

Western Australia - Government

1. Cannabis Control Bill 2003 (Western Australia)
   The core purpose of this Bill is to allow police officers to issue Cannabis Infringement Notices (CIN) to persons who are found cultivating or in possession of cannabis within defined limits.

Victorian Government

1. Cannabis and Psychosis: booklet
   This booklet contains information for Health and Welfare Professionals. It looks at psychosis associated with the use of cannabis and contains research involving clinical and neurobiological studies. It is based on the report entitled, Cannabis Use and Psychosis (1997) by Professor Wayne Hall of the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, Sydney, Australia
2. Cannabis and Psychosis: factsheet

Back to top

International Resources

Is Cannabis a Harmless Drug? Connecting Research to Drug Control Policy
Cannabis is a global problem and therefore needs to have a global approach. This report shows  a relaxation of cannabis laws in one country will affect another. Although countries may differ in the way they approach cannabis use, they also have something in common: a shared worry about the health of the growing number of children and young people who use cannabis regularly. April 2003
Cannabis 2002 Report
A joint international effort at the inititative of the Ministers of Public Health of Belgium, France, Germany, The Netherlands and Switzerland.

Canada

1. Bill C-17: An Act to amend the Contraventions Act and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts
   The Canadian Government have moved to update marijuana legislation. Bill C-17 was introduced in November, 2004
2. Fraser Institute - Public Opinion and Illicit Drugs; Canadian Attitudes towards Decriminalizing the Use of Marijuana
   April 2001

New Zealand

1. Government Response to the Health Select Committee Report on its inquiry into the public health strategies related to cannabis use and the most appropriate legal status

UK

1. Cannabis an Update 1999-2002
   This review is by Professor D J Nutt and Dr J R Nash and was compiled subsequent to reports from the House of Lords and the Police Federation. The review aims to summarise the important additions to the published literature over the past two years, and to provide an easy source of references. Articles were identified by Medline search, by a systematic review of the major journals, and by consultation with other experts in the field. 2002
2. UK Home Office: Cannabis Reclassification
3. The classification of cannabis under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
   Review of the classification of cannabis preparations in light of the scientific evidence by Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. 2002

US

ForReal.Org
This Web site has been designed for teens that are looking for factual information about marijuana.

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol & Drug Information (NCADI)
This will link you to publications on marijuana. Publications will provide factual information including information for parents, teenagers, and others.

National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS)

1. Wake Up to the Risks of Marijuana - A Guide for Parents.
   From the A brochure aimed at parents

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

1. Publications
   Links to a summary of information on marijuana that includes reports, research notes, facts on this drug, media reports, other publications, etc.
2. NIDA For Teens - The Science Behind Drug Abuse: Marijuana
   Information about marijuana including what it is, effects dangers, information for parents and teachers, real life stories, etc.

Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)

1. Marijuana Factsheet
   Provides an overview of data and information related to marijuana. This link also has information on various issues including prevalence, treatment, consequences, etc. It also has a number of links to other resources. February 2004
2. Marijuana Myths & Facts: The Truth Behind 10 Popular Misperceptions
   Marijuana Myths & Facts looks at 10 popular misperceptions about marijuana and, using the latest research findings and statistical information, explains why they are wrong. The booklet describes the dangers of marijuana and why it is important for society to send a clear, consistent, and credible message to young people about the seriousness of the threat. 2004
3. What American's need to know about marijuana: Important facts about our nation’s most misunderstood illegal drug
   October 2003.

Back to top

Factsheets

NSW Health

NSW Police

American Council for Drug Education

Australian Department of Defence

Family Drug Support (FDS)

Queensland Health (ATODs)

NDARC

Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)

Back to top