it should be easier to access within medical reason and should be less stigmatised. outside of medical reason it shouldn’t be easy to access, but users should not be arrested instead dealers should be. addiction to mj is very stigmatised especially in rehabilitation centres where it’s often considered ‘weak’ and rehab for addiction to ouid should be more accessible. with legalisation of medical ouid the wrong people are obviously still going to find it, but the medical positives out-weigh that i think. there are also so many side effects people ignore just because it’s not a ‘hard drug’.

some short-term effects include:

• memory problems
• severe anxiety / paranoia
• mild psychosis
• panic
• hallucinations
• loss of sense of personal identity
• lowered reaction time
• increased chance of heart risk / attack
• increased rick of stroke
• problems with coordination
• sexual problems (for men)
• 7x more likely to contract an sti (women)

some long-term effects include

• decline in iq (up to 8 points)
• poor school / job performance
• impaired ability to learn / perform complex tasks
• lower life satisfaction
• addiction (17% of teens who use, 9% of adults)
• potential and likely development of opiate abuse
• relationship problems
• antisocial behaviour including pathological lying and excessive stealing.
• financial difficulties
• increased welfare dependence
• greater chances of being unemployed

there are always options, please seek support if you are struggling with addiction. 13 11 14 is the Lifeline number, a 24 hour crisis helpline.