Cannabis

Cannabis (AKA weed, bud, dope, draw, has, marijuana, skunk) comes from the cannabis plant and can be found in many forms including green leaves, hard brown lumps, oils and sweets (gummies).

Different names come from different strains of the drug or how it was produced/what from. For example hash is made from the resin of the cannabis plant, weed is made from drying out the leaves and flowering parts of the cannabis plant.

The main components of cannabis are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).

Synthetic cannabinoids also becoming more available, these are extremely dangerous and often mixed or laced with other substances.

How it is used

Cannabis is:

  • Smoked by rolling a ‘joint’ or via a pipe (‘bong’) where it is lit and inhaled
  • Edibles like gummies, desserts, tea
  • Vaping liquids

How it feels

Highs

  • Feeling is commonly described as ‘stoned’, where you feel relaxed, light, euphoric
  • Extremely talkative or bouts of laughter
  • Hallucinations come from THC part of cannabis
  • Experiences vary from personality to environment and also the quantity of THC and CBD in the product

Lows

  • Impaired judgement can lead to extremely risky behaviour
  • Hallucinations, insomnia, agitations and anxiety
  • Memory issues, confusion and paranoia

Risks and the law

Risks

  • Difficulty breathing, wheezing, cough and can even lead to lung cancer
  • Increase your blood pressure and heart rate which can cause heart problems
  • Fertility issues, including reduction in sperm and egg count or stopping ovulation
  • If smoked when pregnant can cause growth issues in the baby
  • Affect your brain, memory and mental health leading to memory loss, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, psychosis
  • Can be laced or cut with other substances which is severely dangerous and often can be fatal
  • Cannabis often used along with other drugs which makes the effects of all of them enhanced even more. Again this is often a fatal decision to combine drugs

The law

  • Class B drug
  • Possession can lead to 5 years in prison and/or unlimited fine
  • Intent to supply can lead to 14 years in prison and/or unlimited fine
  • Slightly different however to other class b drugs as it comes under the discretionary warning scheme.
  • Police can issue a street warning (not on your criminal record) if found in possession of cannabis however this depends on your previous record, amount you are carrying and your behaviour