Pubdate: Mon, 07 Mar 2005
Source: North Thompson Star/Journal (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The North Thompson Star/Journal
Contact:  http://www.starjournal.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1231
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

WHAT IS MARIJUANA?

What is cannabis? (grass, pot, hash, weed, reefer, dope, herb, ganga, 
joints, blunts)

Cannabis is a drug that comes from the Cannabis sativa plant. The active 
chemical in cannabis is THC (Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol). There are three 
main forms of cannabis: marijuana, hashish and hash oil.

Forms Of Cannabis

Marijuana is the most common and least powerful form of cannabis. It is the 
dried leaves and flowers of the plant. Marijuana looks like chopped grass, 
and ranges in colour from grey-green to greenish-brown.

Hashish (hash) is dried cannabis resin which comes in small blocks. The 
blocks range in colour from light brown to nearly black. The concentration 
of THC in hashish is higher than in marijuana, producing stronger effects.

Hash oil is a thick, oily liquid, golden-brown to black, that can be 
extracted from hashish. It is usually spread on the tip or paper of 
cigarettes and then smoked. Hash oil is more powerful than the other forms 
of cannabis.

THC

THC (Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) is the chemical in marijuana that makes 
you feel "high". This means you experience a change in mood and may see or 
feel things in a different way. Some parts of the plant contain a higher 
level of THC. For example, the flowers, or "heads", have more THC than the 
stems and leaves.

Effects Of Cannabis

The effects of any drug (including cannabis) vary from person to person and 
depend on many factors including an individual's size, weight and health, 
how the drug is taken, how much is taken, whether the person is used to 
taking it, what it's being taken for (for example, stress) and whether 
other drugs are taken.

When people are affected by cannabis they are said to be "stoned", "baked" 
or "high". Traces of THC can remain detectable in urine samples for days, 
even weeks, after use.

Immediate Effects

Small quantities of cannabis can have effects that last two to three hours 
after smoking.

* Relaxation and loss of inhibition

* Increased appetite

* Affected vision and perception of time and space

* Impaired coordination

* Impaired thinking and memory

In Greater Quantities

Larger quantities of marijuana make the above effects stronger, and also 
tend to distort a person's perceptions. Very large quantities of marijuana 
can produce:

* confusion

* restlessness

* feelings of excitement

* hallucinations

* anxiety or panic, or detachment from reality

* decreased reaction time

* paranoia.

Long-Term Effects

Research shows evidence of some long-term effects in some regular cannabis 
users.

* Respiratory illness

* Impaired concentration, memory, and ability to learn

* Possible reduced motivation and difficulties at school or work

Cannabis And Psychosis

In general, there appears to be two separate circumstances whereby cannabis 
and psychosis are linked:

Cannabis use may also precipitate a latent psychosis. In other words, it 
could bring forward an episode of schizophrenia or manic depressive 
psychosis in a vulnerable or pre-disposed individual.

It is possible that cannabis use can trigger psychotic episodes in a person 
who already has a mental illness.

Tolerance And Dependence

With regular use, people can develop a mild tolerance to cannabis. This 
means they need to take more and more to get the same effect. Dependence on 
a drug can be psychological, physical or both.

Cannabis becomes part of their lifestyle (e.g. reducing stress, increasing 
relaxation) and some come to depend on it. Some people crave the drug and 
find it very difficult to stop using it.

Withdrawal

Abrupt termination of cannabis use can produce a mild withdrawal syndrome. 
Withdrawal symptoms include sleep disturbance, irritability, loss of 
appetite and consequent weight loss, nervousness, anxiety, sweating and 
upset stomach.

Cannabis And Other Drugs

Combining cannabis with other drugs such as alcohol or prescribed drugs can 
increase and alter the effects, with unpredictable consequences. Cannabis 
combined with cocaine or other stimulants can have a dangerous effect on 
the heart.

Cannabis Use During Pregnancy

Some research has shown that heavy cannabis use during pregnancy can result 
in premature birth and low birthweight.
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MAP posted-by: Beth