Forward Leeds, the city’s alcohol and drug service is running a campaign to raise awareness of the increasing strength of cannabis and the issues around heavy use of the drug.
The RespectTHC campaign will run from 18-23 April and will include events across the city and an online social media campaign to encourage people to have conversations about cannabis.
Forward Leeds Manager, James Barrie said:
“We’re running the cannabis awareness campaign because there is a lot of misinformation out there. The aim of RespectTHC is to help people really think about their cannabis use and challenge some of the perceptions out there.“
THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is the primary psychoactive component of cannabis. A 2020 study published in the journal Addiction found that rising THC levels in cannabis resin means the drug has increased in strength by nearly 25 per cent since 1975. In herbal cannabis, THC levels increased by 14 per cent over the same period.
James said:
“Levels of THC are higher and that means cannabis is becoming more potent. Every year more than 450 people in Leeds come to Forward Leeds for help for the problems cannabis is causing them.
“Even if people are not dependent, regular cannabis use can bring a range of issues such as lack of motivation, financial problems, issues with relationships and so on. We want people to think about whether they have some level of dependence on cannabis and feel comfortable in approaching us so they can make positive changes.”
Forward Leeds events include one on Thursday 21 April in the Corn Exchange and another on Saturday 23 April on Lands Lane in the city centre, where people will have the opportunity to ask questions about cannabis.
You can visit www.forwardleeds.co.uk/RespectTHC for more information and to test your cannabis knowledge with an online quiz.
This post is based on a press release issued by Forward Leeds
Photo: Forward Leeds Manager, James Barrie
