William Atkins
Friday, 29 August 2008 21:55
Science -
Health
Page 1 of 2
It is considered dangerous to smoke cigarettes and smoking of cannabis is considered dangerous, too, but in Western Australia a government report shows that the smoking of the Cannabis plant as marijuana has declined dramatically over the past seven years.
Cannabis is a flowering plant, which includes three species:
Cannabis sativa indica,
Cannabis sataiva sativa, and
Cannabis ruderalis. Cannabis flowers and leaves are often dried and smoked so that user can get a “high” off tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive substance found within the plant.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (
AIHW), headquartered in Canberra, performed the survey that concluded cannabis use is down in Western Australia.
Specifically, the government researchers found that cannabis use is down 38% since the year 2001. They also discovered that use among children and adults, over 13 years of age, is only 11% (over the past twelve months, before the survey).
The survey also concluded that amphetamine use was down but to a smaller degree.
Amphetamines, derived from its chemical name alpha-methylphenethylamine, are a group of drugs that act by increasing levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain. The medical community often treats people with traumatic brain injuries, along with medical conditions such as attention-deficit disorder, with amphetamines. However, people often use amphetamines recreationally, in illegal activities.
On the other side, the survey found that alcohol consumption in Western Australia still remains high.
Please read page two about comments made by an Australian psychologist and an Australian government official on the conclusions of the report.
