Hello Everyone,
I hope this week has been kind to you all. I recently got an opportunity to do street interviews for a television show that’s coming up (will keep you updated on that) and found out a few opinions of the average Guyanese. A popular one is that Marijuana (weed) is not a drug; that it’s not bad or harmful to individuals. Therefore, I’m going to talk about marijuana and its effects today.
First of all, what is a drug? It is any substance that alters your perception, mood, behaviour and thoughts. Marijuana is definitely a drug.
Marijuana is a class B drug (which means it is illegal to possess, give away or sell any amount) and is classified as a sedative and hallucinogen.
Marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug in the world. Yes, it is naturally occurring, coming from the cannabis plant but let’s not forget the alterations that can be made to it, especially if grown inside under lights.
Even if you obtain the most naturally grown marijuana, its main chemical is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC for short). This is what makes you feel happy and relaxed. However THC can also cause hallucinations, which means it can alter your senses so you see and hear things that aren’t really there. Cannabis being safe because it’s natural is a myth- sorry to break it to you readers.
What are the signs and symptoms of smoking cannabis/weed?

A smoker will experience
– Redness of the eyes
– Dilated pupils
– Dry mouth
– Dizziness
– Mood swings
– Increase/decrease in appetite
– Increase/decrease in sleeping patterns
– Impaired motor skills/ slowed reaction time
– Feelings of anxiety or paranoia

These symptoms can happen within minutes of smoking and about 30 minutes after eating it. The high (depending on how much was consumed) can last anywhere between two to six hours.
What does marijuana/ cannabis/ weed do to us?
1. It affects how the brain works. As I said, it causes hallucinations but also causes people to be anxious and at times, paranoid. It makes it difficult for one to concentrate and therefore learn. It negatively affects memory as well as causes one to be less motivated.
2. It causes mental health problems. Long term use of marijuana has been directly linked with the development of schizophrenia and depression. It has also been linked to suicidal thoughts.
3. It affects the body. Smoking cannabis, just like cigarettes, has been associated with lung diseases like lung cancer, bronchitis and tuberculosis. It can also increase heart rate and blood pressure. It has also been known to cause heart attacks or strokes in elderly heavy smokers. Studies have also shown that cannabis affects fertility which means having a child is much more difficult for a heavy smoker. Cannabis has also been linked with unhealthy weight fluctuations. A new smoker will more likely put on a lot of weight due to the “munchies” and a long-term, addicted smoker is likely to lose a lot of weight as food is no longer a priority. It has also been known to disturb sleep patterns just the same.
4. It causes lawful problems. Growing/Smoking marijuana is illegal in Guyana and is punishable by a monetary fine or jail in some cases. It can also cause car accidents as your motor skills and reflexes are compromised.
5. It causes monetary problems as the average smoker will consume more than once a day.
6. It can cause tolerance and withdrawal to the drug. Heavy smokers eventually need to smoke larger quantities in order to feel the same high. This is known as tolerance. Withdrawal is the physical and mental pain experienced when the drug is no longer obtainable. These two factors are the major signs of addiction to cannabis.
What are the risk factors for smoking marijuana? This means, what causes people to want to smoke?
Persons of any gender, age, ethnicity or socio-economic status can smoke and become addicted to marijuana. However, certain factors make it more likely.

– Poverty
– Mental illness
– Low education
– Abuse in the home
– Absent parenting
– Stress
– Peer pressure

Is marijuana a gateway drug?
The theory “gateway drug” means that using cannabis will cause the individual to use different and harder drugs. To be honest, this theory has been debated for years about its accuracy. However, I believe it to be true. I believe that individuals are more likely to drink and try other drugs if they already use marijuana.
Another debatable fact has been whether or not marijuana is addictive. I’m here to tell you that it definitely is. About 10% of marijuana users become addicted. It may not seem like a high number but I can’t even count the amount of people who come to see me at GPHC for marijuana addiction.
If you feel like you have an issue with marijuana, you can come in to GPHC and see me personally. Just come in to the psychiatric department, ask for me and we can solve the problem together.
Thank you to everyone who has been writing in to caitlinvieira@gmail.com. Please continue to do so and let me know what you would like to talk about. OR stop in and see me at Woodlands Hospital Outpatient Department. For issues with drugs/ alcohol – Monday’s at 4:30. General mental health issues- Wednesday’s at 4:30.
Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always!