Cannabis (Hallucinogen)
Street Name: Hash, dope, blow, draw, grass
What it looks like and how it's taken:
Comes as solid lump 'resin'; leaves, stalks and seeds called 'grass'; or sticky dark oil.
Can be smoked or cooked and eaten with food.
Immediate effects:
Users feel relaxed and may have sharper sense of colours and sounds. Some feel urge to eat.
In food, the dose taken is much harder to control.
Risks:
Short term: First-time users may feel confused and distressed. Anxiety, panic and suspicion are not uncommon. Damages ability to learn and carry out many tasks, including operating machinery and driving vehicles.
Long term: Regular heavy use may lead to development or worsening of mental health problems including paranoia, schizophrenia, psychosis, depression and anxiety. Smoked with tobacco, it increases health risks associated with tobacco use, for example: lung cancer, bronchitis and other respiratory disorders, and can lead to nicotine addiction. Very heavy cannabis use can lead to withdrawal symptoms.
Legal status: All forms of cannabis (resin, grass, oil) were reclassified from Class C to Class B in January 2009.
