Cannabis as a drug

Cannabis is an annual herb that grows wild almost everywhere in the world except in arctic regions. Its Latin name is Cannabis sativa. The species include more than 10 subspecies of which sativa, indica and Ruderalis is the best known. The plant is used as a drug for the content of the psychoactive substances which Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Cannabinol (CBN) and Cannabidol (CBD) are the top three.



Dried flowers / plant parts known as marijuana and containing about 1 - 20 percent THC. Resin (resin) that are extracted from the plant in different ways is called haschish. Cannabis resin typically contains about 5 - 25 per cent THC, but because of its illegal status, can also be "hashish" very poor quality content andes sold less than 1% THC. From the plant can also produce an extract ( "hashish oil"), a viscous liquid which can contain up to 70 percent THC.



The most common way to use cannabis is to smoke it in a cigarette (joint), pipe, hookah, bong, vaporizer or other smoking tool. Between 0.1 and 1 gram of smoked usually at a time depending on how potent marijuana or resin is. The buzz will be quickly upon smoking, the first effects can often be observed in one minute and then sits in around 2-4 hours. You can also eat or drink cannabis - cupcakes with marijuana or hashish oil into a little coffee, for example. This gives a much longer and sometimes more intense buzz than smoking, but more subtle. It takes longer to appear, sometimes up to two hours and requires a bit larger amounts, approximately 0.5 - 1.5 grams.



The user and the use

Who use cannabis and why? What are the social consequences and what can be a practice or lead to abuse? Of course, it is very difficult to provide answers to these questions, and it is clear that there are differences between countries and cultures, but what do we do?

Most people who experiment with cannabis stops after a short time.

Cannabis does not lead to harder drugs.

Cannabis does not cause crime, crime or violence.

Most cannabis users are not at risk because their use is checked, irregular and temporary. Cannabis use before age 16 should be considered at risk since it can have effects on the endogenous cannabinoidsystemet, cognitive and psychosocial functions.



Between 16 and 18 years require heavy use do not necessarily be daily but can also be use during the morning, alone or during school hours. For people over 18 years for heavy use or abuse is considered to be more than one gram a day over a long period of time and involves health risks.



Acute effects (effects during intoxication)



Mild euphoria, relaxation and increased sociability.

Enhanced, and at higher doses changed, feelings and sensations.

Increased appetite and dry mouth.



Dilated blood vessels and a reduction in blood pressure, sometimes leads to red eyes.

Impaired short-term memory, learning and concentration as well as certain effect on motor function.

At very high doses, hallucinations occur and paranoia that can lead to panic and / or confusion if it is above or do not intend to "set and setting".

Long-term and chronic effects



Heavy use may involve damage to the throat and lungs if smoked the drug as well as psychological and social problems for the patient. The damage caused by smoking can be avoided by eating cannabis rather than smoking.

Heavy use can also cause problems with concentration and learning ability. The reduction is temporary and will disappear if the use decreased or discontinued. In rare cases, and the predisposition for mental illness has been short-lived psychoses and schizophrenia were observed.

Heavy use of cannabis can result in psychological dependence that can sometimes require treatment. The dependence is weaker and more rare compared with other drugs, including alcohol and tobacco.

No long-term effects on cognitive function and no chronic effects whatsoever have been proven in research.