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Street Name: Dagga, Marijuana, Dope, Grass, Blow, Hash, Hashish, Puff, Weed, Wacky Backy, Gania, Ganja or Gear.
Cannabis is obtained from two plants, namely cannabis sativa and cannabis indica, and is recreationally used for its psychoactive effects. Various parts of the plant are used; the top leaves and flower buds are dried and the product is commonly known as grass, the resin is extracted from the flowers and buds and is known as hash or
hashish - a liquid is also made from the resin known as hash oil
- but should not be confused with hemp seed oil - which is a harmless oil, most
beneficial to the skin.
Cannabis is a hardy plant and grows well in most tropical regions, and it is said that the plant has a varying intoxicating effect depending on the area that it originates from -Cannabis from the West Indies or Southern Africa are said to have a stronger intoxicating effect.
Marijuana is also grown in Europe and America in hothouses and various strains have been developed, such as Northern lights, Super skunk and Sensi (sensemilla), which have a higher concentration of the psychoactive chemical called THC (or tetrahydrocannabinol) which produces the intoxicating effect.
It has been used medicinally for centuries, and use has only been legally restricted in most western countries since the 1900's.
It is said to relieve symptoms and pain in terminally ill patients, and has been reported as an effective drug in relieving symptoms of multiple sclerosis and hypoglycaemia.
In the 1800's it was sold as a tincture to relieve period pain, and has been prescribed as a tea for relief of stress, pain and as a mood enhancer.
This drug is normally smoked and the crumbled, dried leaves and flower buds are usually mixed with tobacco and rolled up with cigarette paper to form what is known as a "reefer" or "joint", although it may also be smoked through a pipe or a "bong", which come in various shapes and sizes.
A hookah or hubble-bubble is also used where the smoke inhaled first passes through water to cool it. Cannabis is used as an ingredient in cakes and cookies (known as "hash cookies") or hot drinks, but this method of ingestion is considered less effective as the drug has to be absorbed through the stomach and the dosage is less controllable.
Cannabis is not considered addictive (which is open for discussion), and as it is usually mixed with tobacco and smoked, a user will develop an addiction to nicotine.
The intoxicating effects of cannabis also depress the nervous system and the motor skills are negatively effected, giving very similar effects as alcohol intoxication.
It is reported that cannabis may enhance the psychological state of the user. This may have a positive or negative effect on the "trip" as a person may be depressed or happy when the drug is smoked and this state is then enhanced.
The desired effects when the drug is used recreationally are talkativeness, cheerfulness, relaxation and a greater appreciation of sound and color. It is reported that cannabis enhances creativity, but this has not really been clinically proven yet.
Not all the psychological effects of cannabis are positive however. High doses may cause hallucinations or mild sensory disturbances, which may be very unpleasant if not expected.
Smoking cannabis over the long term has the same risks as cigarette smoking, including a higher risk of developing emphysema, lung cancer, bronchitis and chest related illnesses.
The intoxicating effects of cannabis last from 1 - 4 hours, depending on the amount used, and produce a fairly instant effect. No records of deaths due to cannabis use have been traced, other than deaths due to accidents made under influence of the drug.
Cannabis produces a woolly-headed after effect and users report that the mouth becomes very dry and that they develop binge eating, known as the "munchies".
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- How do drugs work?
- Drug detection periods
- Most common drugs being abused
- Amphetamines, speed, uppers
- Cocaine, crack, nose candy
- Methamphetamine, ecstasy, e, ice
- Opiates, morphine, opium, heroin, codeine
- Phencyclidine hydrochloride, pcp, angel dust
- THC, marijuana, cannabis, dagga, ganja, weed
- Drug slang that is used on the streets
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