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Australia: Harm reduction and cannabis

Paul Dillon

Sydney Star Observer

Thursday 23 Sep 2004

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Cannabis is the most popular illicit drug in Australia. Over one-third of
the population has tried the drug, with most of them using for a short
period of time and then stopping. However, for some Australians cannabis
will play a big part in their lives. Like all drugs, regardless of their
legal status, there are harms linked to the use of cannabis and the best way
to avoid these is not to use. For some this is simply not a realistic option
and for those people it is important that we provide them with ways of
reducing the harm associated with their drug use.

Obviously one of the greatest harms linked to cannabis is the way it is
used, i.e. smoking the drug. Eating cannabis, either in cakes or cookies,
instead of smoking is one way of reducing harm. However, some users find
that the experience is quite different (some say more hallucinogenic) and
can last far longer. It is also more difficult to gauge how stoned you
actually are as the onset of effects is delayed anywhere from 60 to 90
minutes.

If you are going to smoke the drug then there are a number of things you can
do to reduce the harm. Firstly, dont mull up with tobacco. We all know the
risks associated with nicotine, particularly its addictive qualities, and
mixing the two drugs is believed to greatly increase the risk of lung,
respiratory and cardiovascular damage. Secondly, try not to smoke the stems
or seeds from the plant as they contain practically no THC and are also
harsh to smoke. If you smoke joints try to use as few papers as possible as
this will be better for your lungs. Many cannabis smokers attempt to reduce
harm by adding filters to their joint. If you are one of those people, dont
use cigarette filters =AD these filter out 60 percent of the THC in a joint
and as a result users have to smoke a great deal more to get the same
effect. It is best to use long cardboard tips as long tips allow the smoke
to flow more freely.

Most importantly, if you are smoking cannabis take small, shallow puffs and
avoid pulling the smoke deep into your lungs. There is little point to this
as 95 percent of the THC in a joint is absorbed within seconds of
inhalation. (Think of how quickly you are affected by smoking a cigarette =
=AD
why would the effect be any different for cannabis?) Holding the smoke for
longer and trying to suck it down into your feet can increase respiratory
risks and doesnt have any real effect on how stoned youll get.

Finally, if youre going to use a bong, dont suck so hard. Research shows
that a bong is one of the most harmful ways of smoking cannabis. When you
pull a cone it forces the smoke deeper into your lungs, increasing the
surface area for tar and other carcinogens to enter the respiratory system.
Remember, brief, small puffs will have the same effect and will not be so
harmful.

These are just a few simple ways that you can reduce some of the risks
associated with cannabis use. If abstinence is not for you, perhaps some of
these tips which involve small changes in behaviour may be helpful.

 

 

 

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