Short term effects
Cannabis often gives sedative like effects that make some people feel chilled out and happy and others have one puff and feel sick.
Others get the giggles until the muscles in their face hurt.
Hunger pangs are common and are known as 'getting the munchies'.
Even hardcore smokers can get anxious, panicky and suspicious.
It affects your coordination, which is why drug driving is just as illegal as drink driving.
Longer term effects
Some people think that because cannabis is a plant it is harmless, but that's not true.
Cannabis, like tobacco, has chemical 'nasties' which can cause lung disease and cancer with long term or heavy use. Cannabis can make asthma worse.
And it increases blood pressure so it is a bad idea for anyone with heart problems.
There is also increasing evidence of a link between cannabis and mental health problems such as schizophrenia. If you have a history of mental health problems or are experiencing paranoia or depression you definitely want to steer clear of cannabis.
It's estimated that about 10% of users are hooked on cannabis.
If you smoke it with tobacco you can get hooked on the tobacco.
Frequent use of cannabis can cut a man's sperm count and suppress ovulation in women. If you are pregnant, smoking cannabis may harm the baby.
Regular, heavy use makes it harder to learn and concentrate and some people begin to feel tired all the time and can't seem to get motivated.
Most people will know of a 'dope head' who has dropped out of the real world.
There is a minimal risk of physical dependence. Psychological dependency occurs in about 10% of users.
Users are more likely to get addicted to nicotine if they roll their spliffs with tobacco. There are no physical withdrawal symptoms if you've only been using for a short while and there should be no problem stopping (unless you get addicted to the tobacco).
Most of the risks associated with cannabis are linked to regular, heavy use. See Longer term effects above.
Self control tips
While you're better to avoid smoking cannabis altogether, if you are finding it difficult to cut down or stop there are tips that you might find useful:
To reduce the risk of overdoing it, try to space out the days between using cannabis.
Don't buy more than you need thinking you will save some for tomorrow - you probably won't.
The more you break up the pattern of use the easier it is to control cannabis and reduce the risks.
If you are trying to cut down, avoid things that remind you of cannabis. Certain places, people, events or times might make you think of cannabis and want to take it.
Try to identify all the things you associate with using cannabis and make an effort to avoid them until you feel OK about not smoking. Plan to do something else at the time of day you usually have a joint.
SKUNK
ID: home-grown, buds, tops, nederwiet/netherweed, sinsemilla
'Skunk' is a term that is often used to describe herbal cannabis grown from selected seeds by intensive indoor methods (e.g. using hydroponic methods, artificial lighting etc.). The term originally related to the strong smell of these particular strains.
Other terms for, and varieties of, such domestically produced herbal cannabis include 'home-grown', 'buds', 'tops', 'nederwiet/netherweed' or domestically produced 'sinsemilla'.
gang green hav a read.
http://www.talktofrank.com/azofdrugs/C/Cannabis.aspxKhat is a stimulant with similar effects to amphetamine. It comes from a leafy green plant of the same name. Used mostly in Africa, Khat is getting more common in Europe particularly in immigrant communities.
ID: Khat, quat, qat, qaadka, chat, Catha edulis
Khat is a leaf which is chewed over a number of hours.
A 'hit' which is a small bunch of leaves costs around £4.
Because Khat comes in recognisable leaf form, it can't be cut with anything.
Khat is a stimulant and chewing it can make people feel more alert and talkative.
It can also suppress the appetite.
Although it's a stimulant, many users report a feeling of calm if it's chewed over a few hours. Some describe it as being 'blissed out'.
Khat can make a user psychologically dependent so when they stop using it they feel depressed.
If you use it a lot, you may develop insomnia, heart problems and sexual problems like impotence
It can give you feelings of anxiety and aggression.
Some people find it makes them irritable, in some cases very angry and even violent.
It can make pre-existing mental health problems worse.
Those with other problems such as unemployment may be more prone to excessive use.
Khat is not an illegal drug in the UK. It can be used or traded without penalty. Khat is an illegal substance in many other countries like the US. Taking khat into the US could attract a heavy prison sentence.
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If you've got a question about drugs.
>>> Getting help
If you need practical help with a drug problem, search for drug projects and organisations in your area.
http://www.talktofrank.com/azofdrugs/K/Khat.aspx
