Cannabis
The effects, the risks, the law.
AKA:
Marijuana, grass, skunk, wacky backy, draw, blow, weed, puff, hash, ganja, spliff, dope, gear, pot, solids, green, herb, puff and bush.
Background:
Cannabis is the most widely-used illegal drug in the UK. It comes in different forms and is made from different parts of the cannabis plant. It comes in a solid dark lump commonly known as 'resin' or 'hash'; dried leaves, stalks and seeds called 'grass'; and also a brown or black sticky oil. Cannabis can be rolled with tobacco in a spliff or joint, smoked on its own in a special pipe or eaten.
There are different strengths of cannabis - in particular, 'skunk' is the generic name often used to describe a potent form of the cannabis plant. In fact, skunk is only one of 100 or so varieties of cannabis plant which have high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.
The effects:
- Getting 'stoned' on cannabis makes most users relaxed, talkative and sometimes giggly;
- Heightens the senses, especially when it comes to colours, taste, and music;
- Cooking and eating hash makes the effects more intense and harder to control;
- Can also leave people feeling tired and lacking energy;
- May bring on cravings (AKA 'the munchies') for certain food.
The risks:
- Affects short-term memory and ability to concentrate well;
- Getting 'stoned' affects co-ordination, increasing the risk of accidents;
- Impairs driving skills, so never get in a car with someone who is stoned;
- It can make users paranoid and anxious, depending on their mood and situation;
- Smoking cannabis over a long period of time may increase the risk of respiratory disorders, including lung cancer;
- Many regular users find cannabis hard to quit;
- There is some evidence to suggest a link between cannabis and psychotic illness.
The law:
- Currently cannabis is a Class B, having been upgraded from a Class C drug.
- In England and Wales, the first time you are caught in possession of cannabis you'll usually be given a warning. The second time, you will be issued a fixed penalty notice of £80. After that, you will probably have to go to court. The maximum penalty for possession is five years in prison.
- No such warnings exist in Scotland or Northern Ireland and offences are referred straight to the courts, although prosecutors still have discretion not to prosecute someone who is reported to them by the police.
- If you're caught growing cannabis in your home you will be arrested and prosecuted. You may also be charged with 'intent to supply', which carries the same penalties as dealing (a maximum of 14 years in prison).
- Blatant smoking in public may also lead to arrest.
If you're planning to take cannabis:
- High doses can cause mild hallucinations and sensory distortions;
- Mixing alcohol with a high dose of cannabis may cause nausea and vomiting;
- Heavy use of cannabis over a long period of time can lead to users relying on the drug as a way of relaxing or being sociable.
Related terms:
- Airfix - a suggestion from an impatient smoker to another that he has been in possession of the joint too long, as if it were stuck to his fingers with glue;
- Caned - how you feel if you've been smoking too much. This can also refer to the finishing of a joint;
- Monged - the result of several hours of steady smoking, characterised by inability to move from the sofa;
- Munchies - intense bursts of hunger after smoking weed, usually resulting in a trip to the 24 hour shop for crisps and chocolate;
- Whitey - refers to the pale skin and unconscious mental state of someone who has smoked too much dope.
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