Cannabis, hashish, marijuana

Cannabis comprises various plants belonging to the Cannabaceae family. The main intoxicating substance present in the cannabis plant is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Forms

Two forms of cannabis are typically available on the European drugs market:

1. cannabis herb (marijuana),
2. cannabis resin (hashish). 

In contrast, cannabis oil is relatively rare.

Cannabis can be smoked, ingested or incorporated into food (space cake, hash tea, etc.). 'Space cakes' are cakes or biscuits containing cannabis. The major risk associated with these 'baked goods' is that consumers are unaware of the amount of drugs they contain and, given that the effects take time to kick in, tend to consume too much.

New products are emerging onto the market. They contain synthetic cannabinoids such as Spice. These are synthetic chemical substances designed to mimic the effects of cannabis.

Synthetic cannabinoids can be mixed with dry grass or plant residues in order to imitate cannabis herb, and are often sold in this form. They are also found in other forms (powders, liquids, etc.).

Effects

Cannabis causes the blood vessels to dilate, increases heart rate, impairs vision and hearing, and lowers blood sugar levels. It triggers a strong urge to eat. It alters perceptions of reality and brings about a feeling of calm.

Risks

Cannabis use can cause memory loss, which can have a negative impact on learning and academic performance. Regularly smoking cannabis can cause throat and lung cancer. In some people, it can trigger hallucinations or psychotic episodes.

Heavy cannabis use during puberty can cause delays in cognitive development.

Dangerous combinations

As with all drugs, alcohol should not be consumed at the same time as cannabis. Combining drugs is dangerous to health: the effects can be cumulative without the user realising!