Division of Student Affairs > Student Services > Health & Wellness > Alcohol & Substance Misuse Prevention > Cannabis

Cannabis

  • DePaul Public Safety (Available 24/7)
    LPC: 7730.325.7777
    Loop: 312.362.8400
  • Chicago Police
    For Emergencies - Call 911
  • Substance Misuse Prevention Specialist 
    Office of Health Promotion & Wellness
    Lincoln Park Student Center, Suite 302
    2250 N Sheffield Ave.
    773.325.7129
    hpw@depaul.edu
  • Alcohol & Drug Abuse Action Helpline
    1.800.662.4357
  • Dean of Students Contact
    Lincoln Park Student Center, Suite 307
    2250 N. Sheffield Ave.
    773.325.7290

While alcohol has long been the most commonly used drug among college students, cannabis use has moved up to the number two spot (Monitoring the Future Survey, 2015). Health Promotion and Wellness want to engage students in discussion and education around cannabis in order to empower students with the knowledge to make informed decisions. Contact Health Promotion and Wellness at hpw@depaul.edu to join the conversation!

Intervention and Support for Cannabis Use

BASICS for Cannabis is provided to any student on an individual basis, and sometimes BASICS is mandated for students who have violated the alcohol and/or drug policies of Code of Student Responsibility. BASICS is also offered to students who may benefit from learning more about their use/misuse. BASICS is an effective, holistic, and evidence-based intervention for helping students reduce risky behaviors and typically involves two one-hour individual sessions. In the sessions, students will learn helpful information related to safety around substance use/misuse, including effects of alcohol or cannabis in the body, drug interaction risks, and harm reduction strategies. While BASICS was originally created to focus on alcohol, HPW offers a similar process that focuses more on cannabis.

Choices for Cannabis is a group session that facilitates discussion around cannabis from a variety of perspectives. Students will engage in conversations around the culture of cannabis use, challenge myths and facts, and learn more about the impact on the body and harm reduction strategies to practice safety.

Cannabis Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Yes, like other drugs cannabis interacts with your brain's reward system that can lead to both physical and psychological dependence.
  2. Read more here.
  1. If a person is dependent on cannabis, they may experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using the drug. Common symptoms include:
    • Increased irritability
    • Increased anxiety
    • Disrupted appetite
    • Disrupted sleep
    • Physical discomforts (i.e. headaches, restlessness)
  2. Thinking of cutting down your use? Contact Katie Bellamy to talk about some tips and other available resources that can help!

Similar to alcohol, cannabis may help you fall asleep; however, it can interrupt healthy sleep cycles, causing you to feel (NIDA, 2012):

  • More tired during the day
  • More anxious, or irritable
  • Overall more fatigued
  1. While many students share that using cannabis helps ease their anxiety, it may also be a contributing factor if you are experiencing cannabis withdrawal (see above).
  2. If you are experiencing a lot of anxiety, it may help to talk with someone to learn more about what tools and strategies are available to help. Reach out to Katie Bellamy in Health Promotion and Wellness or you can contact University Counseling and Psychological Services to learn more.

The potency of cannabis has increased from 4% in 1995 to 12% in 2014 (3x more potent in approximately 20 years) (NIH).

  • Read more about DePaul University's Drug-Free Workplace and Legal Drinking Age Compliance Policy. 
  • Reminder that having or using cannabis on campus is never allowed, regardless of your age or the amount. Off campus in Illinois, cannabis use is still illegal for anyone under age 21. Read up on the law here.
  • If you are an employee seeking help with your cannabis use/misuse, reach out the Employee Assistance Progam here.

a. Because cannabis is federally illegal, all campuses must comply with the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act that does not allow cannabis, medicinal or recreational, on school property.

b. Read more about DePaul University's Drug-Free Workplace and Legal Drinking Age Compliance Policy. 
c. Reminder that having or using cannabis on campus is never allowed, regardless of your age or the amount. Off campus in Illinois, cannabis use is still illegal for anyone under age 21. Read up on the law here.
 

More Info on Cannabis