Cannabis
Nicknames:
Blow, dope, draw, ganja, gear, grass, hash, herb, marijuana, pot, puff, skunk, spliff, wacky baccy, weed etc.
What does it look like?
It comes from the dried flowers or leaves of the cannabis (or marijuana) plant. The most common form is hash, which comes in small brown blocks.
How it is used:
It is usually smoked in a hand-rolled cigarette called a joint, reefer, spliff or smoked in a pipe, more commonly known as a bong. It can also be taken in food or drink.
The highs:
Cannabis is a mild depressant, which means that it makes you feel relaxed, talkative and friendly. This lasts between one and two hours.
The lows:
You may feel sick, dizzy or faint, and lose your concentration and short-term memory. It can dry you out, making your throat, tongue and lips dry, leaving you hungry and tired. Cannabis can also lower a man's sperm count, and the sperm produced could be abnormal. Strong batches of cannabis can make you feel paranoid, give you hallucinations and can cause long term depression.
The law:
Cannabis is a Class C drug. (see Drugs - The Law for more information).
Contacts
The contacts database contains details of organisations that may be able to offer information or assistance on this issue.
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Other drugs:
- alcohol
- amphetamines
- anabolic steroids
- cannabis
- cocaine
- crack
- ecstasy
- GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate)
- heroin
- ketamine
- khat
- LSD
- mushrooms
- poppers
- rohypnol
- solvents
- tobacco
- tranquillisers
Reproduced with kind permission of NHS Direct Wales - www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/theroom
