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Cannabis Use World Leader

Cannabis Use World Leader

Australia ranks amongst the world’s top cannabis users.

Australia, New Zealand and North American are the leading nations for cannabis use in the world.

A paper published in the medical Journal, The Lancet, report one in ten cannabis users are addicted and are at risk of chronic bronchitis and psychotic symptoms.

In 2007 more than nine per cent of Australians aged 14 to 65 years had reported using cannabis in the previous year.

(Source: Melbourne Herald Sun, 17 October 2009)

DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-

This high cannabis use will have profound impacts on user’s health and welfare.

Medical studies have shown that cannabis use causes cancer, respiratory, cardiovascular, psychiatric and bone toxicity.

Cannabis suppresses the immune system leading to more illnesses.

Psychiatric effects of cannabis use include depression, anxiety, psychosis, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Cannabis is a known gateway drug to other illicit drug use.

Australia needs to reduce the demand for cannabis and reduce the number of cannabis users in the community.

Court ordered and supervised compulsory detoxification and rehabilitation will help users to keep away from cannabis.

A clear message of the damage of cannabis use is needed to deter children from ever commencing to use cannabis.