Also known as marijuana, grass, kif, yarndi, pot, weed, green, reefer, Mary Jane, doobie, bud, hashish, dope, ganja, joint, spliff, smoke, hemp, stick, bhang, chronic, cone, choof, mull, dabbing, edibles
Cannabis is a cannabinoid drug. It is made up of dried leaves, flowers, stems or seeds from the cannabis plant. Cannabis contains more than 80 chemicals, including Delta9 TetraHydroCannabinol (THC), which is the chemical responsible for the “high” effect. Hash, or hash oil, is made from the resin of the plant. Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in Australia.
Cannabis is smoked in hand-rolled cigarettes with or without tobacco, in pipes, water pipes or bongs. Hashish is smoked or added to foods, such as cookies and brownies, or brewed as tea. Hash oil is usually added to the tip of cigarettes and smoked.
Effects of cannabis
Effects depend on the person (age, weight, size, health and tolerance), the environment (altitude), as well as the strength, the amount used, and if it is used with other drugs, including alcohol. When smoked, effects are felt quickly. When eaten, it takes between 30 minutes to one hour to feel effects
Short-term effects, desired and undesired, may include…
Long-term effects may include…
Depends on use and person. When smoked, effects may last one to 4 hours. When eaten, effects may last 6 hours or longer. Generally, cannabis can be detected in saliva up to 12 hours (3 days if a frequent user), urine 3 days (one month or longer if a frequent user), blood up to 36 hours and in hair up to three months.
There is no safe way to use cannabis. There will always be a health risk. The only way to be safe is not to use. If you choose to use, the following will help reduce risk:
Before: take a friend, plan how to get home (to avoid driving while under the influence), chop only the amount you wish to smoke and use a joint rather than a bong. If using a bong – choose glass, stainless steel or brass. Wooden or plastic bongs with rubber hoses can give off noxious fumes. Make sure the bong is clean and change the water.
During: go slow, smoke a small amount first to see effects before having a bit more, know and keep to your limits. If eating cannabis – wait one hour to see effects (it is easy to eat too much).
Avoid: mixing cannabis with other drugs, including tobacco or alcohol, using too much or too often, bong sharing, using synthetic cannabinoids or holding inhalations which is more harmful to lungs. While using don’t be alone or do risky activities or be responsible for the care of others.
It may be a problem if you agree with any of these statements:
Cannabis use, possession, production and supply are illegal across most states of Australia, with varying penalties from state to state. The only exception is the ACT, which has decriminalised cannabis, removing penalties for adults who possess or use small amounts.
Medicinal use
Your doctor can legally prescribe medicinal cannabis for the treatment of a medical condition or to help manage the side effects of various treatments.
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