Cannabis

What is Cannabis?

Cannabis Sativa is a plant. The drug that derives from it comes as a resin, as ‘grass’ (leaves, stalks and seeds) or, in its strongest form, as an oil. It has lots of different names, (like marijuana, hash, grass, draw, blow, weed, puff, shit, skunk and ganja). And it can be taken in various ways – smoked with tobacco in a ‘spliff’ or a ‘joint’, smoked in a special pipe, or cooked and eaten.

Facts and figures

• Cannabis is a Class B drug that comes in different strengths: Class A penalties can apply to cannabis oil because of its strength.
• Cooking hash increases the effects.

What cannabis does

• Cannabis gets you ‘stoned’, and for most people this means feeling relaxed, open and sociable, with heightened sensitivity to colour, taste and sound, particularly music.
• Getting stoned can affect people differently according to their mood and surroundings: some may experience feelings of anxiety and paranoia.
• Likely after-effects include tiredness and food cravings.
• Cannabis is addictive: some users may get hooked and find it hard to give up.

Dangers and health risks

• The effects of getting stoned (on short-term memory, co-ordination and concentration) inevitably increase the risk of accidents, particularly if the user attempts to drive.
• The effect of smoking joints (cannabis rolled with tobacco) can lead to nicotine addiction, and thus all the health problems associated with cigarette smoking.
• Long-term cannabis use may increase the risk of serious respiratory problems – including lung cancer.