Regulation of cannabis in Québec
Cannabis was legalized on October 17, 2018. To learn more about the legislation on cannabis and health risks of cannabis use, visit encadrementcannabis.gouv.qc.ca/en/ .
Drugs, which include alcohol and cannabis, are ‘psychoactive’ substances. Once absorbed, these substances alter one or more functions of the body and central nervous system. They can affect:
- Thoughts
- Emotions
- Behaviour
- Mood
- Multiple organs
Drugs can be:
- Natural
- Synthetic (composed of chemical molecules produced in a lab)
It is important to know that street drugs can be mixed with products that are hazardous to health or other drugs. There is no way of knowing what these drugs contain regardless of their shape, colour or origin.
There is so much information circulating about drugs. This information is sometimes accurate, but it can also be far from the truth.
Effects of Drugs
Law of effect
Everyone is different. Each person’s body and mental state, the product he or she uses and the context in which it is used influence the overall experience. These elements combine to form the ‘law of effect’.
The law of effect is the result of a combination of 3 factors:
- The individual
- The context in which he or she consumes
- The product or substance being consumed
Each of these 3 factors is linked to different characteristics.
Each time a characteristic associated with one of the factors is modified, the effect of the drug on that person also changes.
Characteristics of the factors of the law of effect
Here are some examples of characteristics associated with the factors of the law of effect:
Factors | Characteristics |
---|---|
Substance |
|
Individual |
|
Context |
|
List of Drugs and Their Effects
Drugs are classified according to their effect on the central nervous system. They are divided into 3 categories:
- Disruptive substances/Hallucinogens
- Depressants
- Stimulants
Hallucinogens
These drugs typically cause disorientation (distorted sense of space and time). They also affect the senses (sight and touch, for example), which alters perception.
Depressants
These drugs typically impact the central nervous system, numbing the brain and slowing the body. Some of these drugs can also alter perception.
Stimulants
These drugs typically cause excitement and restlessness.
Last update: September 13, 2017