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Drug: Cannabis

Aka: blow, grass, ganja, skunk, dope, draw, pot, marijuana, weed, shit, black, bhang, hashish, blast, sensi, spliff, puff, blast, bush, wacky backy

What is it?

Cannabis comes from the cannabis plant and comes in different forms. Cannabis is a mild hallucinogen.

Drag and drop the drug onto the scene
to see what happens when
someone takes the drug.

Most commonly seen as:

Hash – which is a blacky-brown lump made from the resin of the plant.
‘Skunk’ is a term that is often used to describe herbal cannabis. Its name originally came from its strong smell. It’s intensively grown indoors from selected seeds. The way skunk is cultivated can often make it stronger then herbal cannabis (often imported) or cannabis resin (above), although it is not possible to tell the potency of the skunk you are buying.

Less common are:

Cannabis oil - which is dark and sticky.
Sensimilla – This is a form of Jamaican weed. It is said to be all bud and no seed.

How is cannabis taken?

It's often smoked, mixed with tobacco in a spliff or joint. Many people also use a ‘bong’ or a pipe. ‘Bongs’ (or buckets) can be made out of anything.

Cannabis can also be used to make tea and put in food, ‘hash cakes’.

What are the effects?

The effects of cannabis are almost immediate when smoked.
Smoking a spliff can make people feel happy, relaxed, and peaceful.
The effects vary from person to person. It can make some feel sick.
Some people get the giggles.
Some people get philosophical and introspective when stoned, and listening to music brings new meaning to the words.
Some colours can appear brighter.
Some people use cannabis to relieve muscle spasms and muscle pain, such as MS (Multiple Sclerosis) sufferers. There is much debate about the benefit to certain groups of people due to medical conditions they may have.
It affects coordination, so never drive when stoned.
Some people get the ‘munchies’ and crave food particularly sweet food, and feel warm.

What are the risks?

There are all the risks that go with smoking. As joints don’t have filters, there could be an increased risk of lung cancer.

Some of the short term effects can lead to you feeling paranoid, anxious, sick, thirsty, or you may lack concentration. It increases blood pressure and some people become psychologically dependant.

Treatment

Contact EVOLVE on 01865 723909 if you are concerned about the impact your cannabis use is having on your life and relationships with your family and friends. If you would like information, advice or just a chat, please ring 01865 723909.

Longer term risks for heavy users include

You may feel tired and lack motivation.
You may feel lethargic and lack energy to do things.
Your memory is affected, and you may find it more difficult to learn.
There may be increased risk, if there is a history of mental illness in the family and growing evidence of a possible link between cannabis and schizophrenia.
Psychosis is rarer, but can happen with prolonged heavy use.
It reduces sperm count and suppresses ovulation in women.

Pregnancy

The risks of cannabis during pregnancy are not widely known, but smoking during pregnancy can harm the baby. There is an increased risk of birth defects, miscarriage and cot death (sudden infant death syndrome). Babies also tend to have a lower birth weight.

If you are worried, it is best to talk to your doctor or midwife.

How much is it?

Prices vary, but an ‘eighth’ is about £10 and a ‘quarter’ of an ounce about £20.

Cannabis is a Class B substance.

Cannabis is a Class Bdrug and is still illegal. If you are under 18, you will be arrested, if you are caught with cannabis, no matter how much you have on you

The Law

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