Cannabis/Marijuana (also hash, hash oil and hemp)

Marijuana, hash and hash oil come from the Cannabis sativa plant. The main psychoactive (or mind altering) substance of cannabis is a "cannabinoid" called THC (9-delta tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is what makes the user feel 'high'.

Also Known As: acapulco gold, ace, bhang, bud, california sinsemilla, chronic, colombian, dope (cannabis), doobie, ganja, grass, green, hemp, herb, hippy, indian hemp, hydro, jamaican, jive (sticks), joint, kush, marihuana, marijuana, mary jane, mauie wowie, mexican, panama gold, panama red, pot, ragweed, reefer, sativa, sinse, stink, thai sticks, weed hashish, hash, hash oil, honey oil, weed oil.

Category: Hallucinogens

On this page:

• Different Forms of Cannabis
• Using Cannabis for Medical Purposes
• How does Cannabis Affect the Body?
• Can Cannabis Harm a Developing Fetus?
• Is Cannabis Addictive?

Different Forms of Cannabis

Marijuana

Marijuana is the dried leaves and flower buds of the plant, but may also contain seeds and stems. The colour can vary from green to grayish-green to brown. It often has a pungent or spicy smell. Users will most frequently smoke it in hand-rolled cigarettes (joints, spliffs), in pipes or water pipes (bongs) or wrapped in cigar tobacco (blunts). It is sometimes cooked with food and eaten.

Hash

Hashish or hash is made from resin that is collected and compressed from the Cannabis plant. It can range in colour from blonde to brown to black, and may be soft and pliable or firm and brittle. Hashish that has significant quantities of leaf material in it can also be green. Hashish is generally smoked, but may be eaten like marijuana. It generally contains more THC than marijuana.

Hash Oil

Hash oil, also called cannabis oil, is produced by extracting resins from cannabis plant material using an organic solvent. Cannabis oil is usually a thick, sticky liquid and can range in colour from gold, to red, to dark brown. Cannabis oil is generally smoked. The THC content of hash oil is usually higher than that of marijuana.

Hemp

Hemp is a type of cannabis with very low THC content and is used for its fibre. Industrial uses of hemp include the production of rope, fabric, paper, food and cosmetics.

THC

The amount of THC depends on how the cannabis is prepared.

• In marijuana it ranges from 1% to 20%
• In hash it varies depending on the source and how it is prepared
• Hash oil generally contains 10% to 20% but concentrations of THC as high as 70% have been reported. It is generally considered the most concentrated form of the drug.

The amount of THC in marijuana depends on:

• how it was grown
• the genetic makeup of the plant
• the amounts of flower parts, leaves, stems, and seeds

Combinations of cannabis and other psychoactive drugs:

• cannabis and heroin: atom bomb or A-bomb
• cannabis and opium: OJ (opium joint)
• cannabis and PCP: supergrass or killer weed

Using Cannabis for Medical Purposes

Marijuana has not been approved as a therapeutic product in Canada or anywhere else in the world. The safety and usefulness of marijuana for medical uses has not been clearly and scientifically established. Canada does however, have a program that allows seriously ill persons residing in Canada to possess marihuana for their own medical use. Under the Marihuana Medical Access Regulations (MMAR), people can be authorized to possess a specific amount of marihuana and can be licensed to grow their own marihuana or designate someone else to grow it for them.The MMAR require a person to have the support of a medical practitioner when applying for an authorization to possess marijuana for medical purposes.

A person may be allowed to possess dried marijuana to alleviate symptoms associated with medical conditions, such as:

• nausea and vomiting in patients being treated for cancer
• severe pain, anorexia and weight loss in patients with cancer, AIDS
• pain and muscle spasms in patients with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries
• epileptic seizures
• severe chronic pain

All other possession and production of marijuana by individuals is illegal.

How Does Cannabis Affect the Body?

After using cannabis, THC is absorbed into the bloodstream and it travels to the brain. In the brain, THC binds to specific receptors, called cannabinoid receptors. This binding reaction in the brain produces the effects felt by the user.

How quickly cannabis reaches the brain varies. After smoking, the effects are felt almost immediately and last for one to three hours. After eating, it takes about an hour for it to take effect and the effects may last for as long as four hours.

THC is stored in fat cells. It takes a long time to completely clear from the body. Although this does not produce long-lasting psychoactive effects (effects which affect the mind, mood or mental processes), it can result in a positive drug test long after the drug has been taken and the effects have worn off.

Will Cannabis Always Produce the Same Effects?

The effects are unpredictable. It is different for everyone. The way a person feels after taking cannabis depends on many factors:

• age
• mood, expectations, and environment
• medical or psychiatric conditions
• the amount of cannabis taken (dose)
• whether the cannabis is smoked or eaten
• how often and for how long cannabis has been used
• use of other drugs (including alcohol, non-prescription, prescription, and street drugs)

Short-Term Effects

As THC enters the brain, users may feel anxious, euphoric, 'high' and/or fearful. Others may feel relaxed and talkative. Some people enjoy the perceptual distortions produced by cannabis; other people find these effects to be unpleasant. When first using cannabis, many people do not experience psychoactive effects (effects which affect the mind, mood or mental processes), but with repeated use they do.

Short-term use of cannabis can produce many other effects:

• red eyes
• spontaneous laughter
• drowsiness
• increased hunger (often called "munchies")
• mild paranoia, anxiety or panic
• impaired reaction time, coordination and motor skills
• impaired short-term memory
• increased heart rate and decrease in blood pressure (may lead to fainting)
• dry mouth and throat
• irritation of the respiratory tract (with smoking)

In addition, a person could potentially experience:

• hallucinations (seeing something that does not exist)
• pseudo-hallucinations (seeing colours or patterns that the user knows are not real)
• paranoia
• severe agitation
• disorientation
• abdominal pain

On its own, cannabis intoxication is not lethal. However, cannabis interferes with concentration, perception, reaction time, and coordination. These effects impair a person's ability to drive safely (cars, boats, snow mobiles, etc) or operate any machinery.

Alcohol and cannabis intensify each other's effects. Combined use may result in severe impairment.

Cannabis, either alone or in combination with alcohol, is a factor in many injuries and unintentional deaths.

Long-Term Effects

Cannabis smoke irritates the respiratory passages. This can lead to bronchitis, especially if used regularly. Cannabis smoke has some of the same toxic substances that are found in tobacco smoke that can cause cancer.

Frequent cannabis use affects motivation and concentration. It can interfere with school and job performance.

Long-term heavy use may also precipitate psychosis or schizophrenia in individuals with a genetic predisposition. Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder. People with schizophrenia lose touch with reality and may:

• experience paranoia
• have delusions
• hallucinate

Cannabis use can complicate the course and treatment of this disorder, for example it can enhance the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Can Cannabis Harm a Developing Fetus?

Subtle learning problems have been reported in young children who were exposed to cannabis in the womb.

Is Cannabis Addictive?

It may be. Psychological dependence (addiction) to cannabis can develop with regular use and physical dependence may develop in individuals who use high doses daily. Individuals who have developed physical dependence may experience mild withdrawal symptoms if the drug is stopped abruptly.

Cannabis withdrawal symptoms include:

• craving
• irritability
• anxiety
• loss of appetite
• stomach discomfort
• tremors
• sweating
• difficulty sleeping

These symptoms may last for about a week but sleep disturbances may last longer.