NCPIC has developed a new cannabis information and awareness DVD titled ‘Cannabis Facts: Clearing the Smoke’. Although the DVD can be viewed as a ‘stand-alone’ information resource, NCPIC recommends that it form part of an education seminar or workshop. With that in mind there are three components to the resource that are now available:

• a DVD “Cannabis Facts: Clearing the Smoke” – available to order online at no charge
• a PowerPoint presentation
• an educator’s kit

The DVD provides up-to-date and accurate information on a range of topics, including cannabis use in Australia, cannabis potency, the impact of cannabis use on mental health, and cannabis dependence. It is designed to be used by alcohol and other drug workers, as well as allied health workers in areas such as mental health, law enforcement, youth and social work. It features interviews with a number of Australian experts in the cannabis field, including Professor Iain McGregor (University of Sydney), Dr Nadia Solowij (University of Wollongong) and Dr Wendy Swift (National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre).

For more in-depth interviews with these experts, some sections not included on the DVD, please view the links below.

Iain McGregor, Professor of Psychopharmacology, ARC Professorial Fellow, University of Sydney

Professor Iain McGregor tells us about how cannabis affects the brain in the short and long term. He also talks us through the effects of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoids in the plant including cannabidiol (CBD) which seems to modulate the effects of THC in the brain. In addition, Iain also explains how the endogenous cannabinoid system works and shares his thoughts on some exploratory animal research which is enhancing our understanding of cannabis use in humans.

Dr Nadia Solowij, Senior Lecturer, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong

Dr Nadia Solowij talks us through the short and long term effects of cannabis on verbal learning and memory and its wider impact on cognitive functioning. She also explains how cannabis use at an early age can affect the development of the adolescent brain. Nadia is particularly interested in the association between cannabis use and schizophrenia, and exploring what makes a person more vulnerable to the condition if they also smoke cannabis.

Dr Wendy Swift, Senior Lecturer, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of NSW

Dr Wendy Swift discusses some of the mythology that exists around cannabis in the Australian community. She particularly focuses on the issue of cannabis potency and the relative strength of the drug these days. Wendy also discusses indoor and outdoor cultivation and the use of contaminants.