Cannabis users under 15 years of age are four times more likely to experience psychosis

“In my experience with cannabis – I went from an intelligent and confident 14 year old to a suicidal wreck in a very short time…my life has been irreversibly damaged by a tiny amount of this drug” John, Rethink Member

 

Teenage girl

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The French Government spent 3.8 million Euros on a public education campaign. But in the UK, despite the Home Secretary’s promise in 2006 to launch a ‘massive programme of public education to convey the danger of cannabis use’, so far our Government has done very little. Instead of educating people they are right now discussing simply changing cannabis back to a class B drug.

The Facts: Cannabis users under 15 years of age are four times more likely to experience psychosis. Cannabis use is detrimental to the mental health of people who already have severe mental illness.

The Problem: One in four people think cannabis is better for you than coffee. However the effect of mental illness can destroy a young person, their family relationships, their friends, their education, their future.

The Crisis: Our Government is about to waste yet more money simply reclassifying cannabis instead of warning people about the dangers – only with your help can we stop them. Our campaigning work is vital and makes a massive difference to the lives of people affected by severe mental illness in your area every day. Support this campaign; young lives are at stake.

Our campaigning work makes key decision makers listen. It really works, but depends on voluntary funds, that’s why we need you now. 

  • Just £100 from you could enable us to meet a member of the Home Office council face to face.
  • Just £10 could produce 20 warning stickers to attach to tobacco rolling paper packs.

With your help we can change the lives of thousands of young people before it’s too late.

Download the full Spring 08 appeal - Cannabis (199 kb) [pdf]

Download now Spring 08 leaflet - Cannabis (118 kb) [pdf]