Cannabis (hash, grass, weed)

What is it?

Cannabis comes in various forms. The resin is normally called hash; grass or marijuana are the dried flowers and leaves of the plant. Some varieties of the cannabis plant are much more potent and are normally referred to as skunk. These can be 2-3 times stronger than normal cannabis.

Cannabis can be smoked with tobacco as a joint or smoked in a pipe or bong. It can also be eaten in cakes or drunk in tea.

Short-term effects

It generally makes you feel relaxed (chilled out) and intensifies feelings. It can also make you feel anxious and paranoid. If smoked with tobacco, you might also develop a nicotine addiction. This can result in respiratory disease through smoking the tobacco.

If you have an existing mental health illness such as schizophrenia cannabis can exacerbate this or trigger a mental illness if you are predisposed to one.

Long-term effects

If smoked, the health effects are similar to those from smoking tobacco: lung disease, bronchitis, cancer and heart disease.

If you use cannabis regularly over a long period of time you can develop a paranoia and "brain fog" or difficulty concentrating.

The law

Cannabis is a Class B drug. You can get up to 5 years in prison for possession and 14 years for supplying it. You can get an unlimited fine for both.

If you are using cannabis (or any other substances), are worried about someone else’s use or would just like to know more, please contact us for more information