AN ALCOHOL and drug recovery service is running a new campaign to warn about increasingly strong cannabis.

North Yorkshire Horizons has launched the #RespectTHC campaign to raise awareness that increasing levels of the primary psychoactive component of cannabis - tetrahydrocannabinol - is thought to have contributed to increasing numbers of people being treated for cannabis use.

Mark Vidgen, assistant director at Developing Initiatives for Support in the Community (DISC), which is part of the team that makes up North Yorkshire Horizons, said: "We’re aiming to help people to really think about their cannabis use and challenge some of the perceptions out there.

"THC is becoming more potent and that fact needs to be understood and respected by cannabis users. We want to get people to think about whether they have some level of dependence on cannabis and give them advice on how to make changes. Cannabis is the most widely used drug and is becoming increasingly socially acceptable. At the same time nationally we are seeing higher levels of THC in cannabis these days which can be problematic."

North Yorkshire Horizons will be distributing posters at each of its five Hubs located at Harrogate, Northallerton, Scarborough, Selby and Skipton, using the #RespectTHC message.

Mark said: "The 2017 Global Dry Survey suggested that nearly one third of UK cannabis users want help to change their habits.

"We want people to feel comfortable in approaching North Yorkshire Horizons to get advice about their cannabis use so they can make positive changes."

To find out more about the campaign, or to get help overcoming cannabis use, phone North Yorkshire Horizons on 01723 330 730 or email info@nyhorizons.org.uk