Is Weed Legal in Scotland

Cannabis – Is It Legal?

Weed is the most popular illegal drug in Scotland.  As with the UK, people living in Scotland are breaking the law if they use cannabis at home in a recreational way. The rule applies to all of the UK. Cannabis is classed as a class B drug, grouped with amphetamines (speed, crystal meth) and Ketamine.

Recreational Cannabis – Which Countries Is It Lawful?

Using cannabis for personal use is only legal in one European country: Malta. Outside of Europe, it’s legal in 19 states in the United States and one state in Australia. Uruguay, Thailand, South Africa, Mexico, Canada and Georgia also allow people to use cannabis recreationally.

Medical Cannabis

In June 2021, Scotland prescribed its first dose of cannabis to treat medical conditions, namely chronic pain. Despite medical cannabis being legal (and prescribed) in the UK since 2018, medical cannabis has only been used in Scotland to treat severe, rare forms of childhood epilepsy.

Prior to the 2018 law change, cannabis was under schedule 1 of the Misuse of Drug Regulations 2001 Act. This act said that cannabis didn’t have therapeutic value. In 2018, cannabis moved to schedule 2, which allows the medical professional to lawfully prescribe it to ease specific medical conditions.

What Is CBD?

The full name of CBD is cannabidiol. It’s a natural substance produced in the cannabis Sativa plant and is found in the hemp section. Another substance found in the cannabis plant is THC. THC is a strong, intoxicating substance that characterises people’s feelings when they smoke weed: relaxation, amusement and a wobbly feeling.

CBD affects the brain differently than THC, and people say they feel peaceful after taking it without any of the typical mind-altering effects that weed brings.

CBD is legal only if it contains less than 0.2% of THC. CBD is sold around the world in products ranging from chewy or hard sweets, drinks, bath products, oils, and tablets. Shops throughout Scotland, such as supermarkets, health stores and corner shops, sell CBD products.

What Does CBD Treat?

No long-term, conclusive studies have been carried out that prove the benefits of taking CBT. But many people say that it has dramatically helped to improve their health.

CBT could help people who suffer from chronic pain, as it’s been reported to alleviate symptoms. People suffering from mental health issues have noted that it’s helped to reduce their anxiety and depression. Reports say CBT helps treat seizures and epilepsy, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and a muscle disorder called Dystonia.

Cannabis – How It Makes You Feel

On the whole, cannabis makes people feel relaxed, and they are easily amused, laughing more easily than if they were sober. Some people report feeling happy and euphoric.

Some people smoke cannabis regularly as part of a routine, much like a cigarette, as it helps them to relax. These types of users tend to have used cannabis for years, as they feel a mild effect.

The adverse effects of cannabis vary from person to person but most commonly include feeling paranoid, anxious, and lethargic. Some people can feel anxious for days after using cannabis, as well as depressed. People with a family history of mental illness such as bipolar or schizophrenia should stay clear of the drug, as it could bring on these conditions.

If someone uses too much cannabis, they can have something called a ‘whitey,’ where they feel sick, unstable on their feet and dizzy.

Cannabis can give people a false sense of confidence – sometimes too much- which can lead them into dangerous situations.

Ways To Use Cannabis

People consume cannabis in various ways: by smoking it in a ‘joint’ which looks like a standard cigarette or inhaled through a bong. It can also be eaten – the popular name is ‘edibles’ in yogurt, hot and cold drinks, sweets, stews, cakes, and biscuits.

Physical Impact Of Cannabis

People with breathing problems should avoid smoking cannabis as it can worsen their condition. Sufferers can find it difficult to breathe and can have coughing fits. If you’re trying for a baby, you should avoid cannabis as it increases the risk of low birth weight and premature birth. As a female, the drug can stop ovulation, so it impacts the chance of getting pregnant. As a male, smoking cannabis will reduce sperm count – again, not ideal if you’re trying to conceive.

Cannabis Addiction – The Signs

Although cannabis is a class B drug, people can still become addicted. There are signs to watch out for; some are behavioural, others in physical appearance. They include:

-Acting secretive or taking cannabis in secret.

-Always talking about getting the drug and prioritising it over other activities.

-Always think about when they can next use the drug or where they’ll get it.

-Money problems due to spending all their money on the drug. This includes selling personal possessions, borrowing money and stealing.

-Spending time with other users rather than sober friends.

-Becoming withdrawn and anti-social and not wanting to leave the house.

-Acting angry, anxious, depressed or paranoid.

-Clothes, breathe, and possessions regularly smell of cannabis.

-Bloodshot eyes, sleepy looking and lethargic.

Where To Get Help For Weed Addiction

Nova Recovery is Scotland’s leading private drug and alcohol rehab clinic. We provide top-class residential treatment for people experiencing drug addiction, and we’ve helped hundreds of people to kick their cannabis addiction for good.

Using a combination of detox and therapy, we’ll help you get off cannabis for good through an intensive, personalised recovery plan. You’ll take part in group therapy to learn and gain valuable support from others and have the option of attending family therapy to help heal fractures caused by addiction.

We’ll also give you a year of free relapse prevention support (aftercare) to support you in living a sober life when you return home.

Call our friendly team today on 01475 303998 to learn more.

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John Gillen - Author - Last updated: September 8, 2023

John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. His passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases. The journey continues. In recent times, John has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with NAD+ scientists and the very best of the medical professionals in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Hospitals own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists. Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with NAD+ Therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.