Cannabis

Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in Britain. Made from parts of the cannabis plant, it’s a naturally occurring drug. It's a mild sedative (often causing a chilled out feeling or sleepiness) and also a mild hallucinogen (meaning you can see objects and reality in a distorted way and may even hallucinate). The main active compound in cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Cannabis has been used for thousands of years, but really took off in Britain in the 1960s and 70s. Nowadays most of what is available is the much stronger 'skunk' type, rather than 'bog standard' weed or hash, and this has possibly made it more dangerous to use. This applies much more to young people as your brain is still developing until your early 20s.

Skunk farms are known to exploit children, smuggled into the country illegally and working in harsh conditions.

cannabis leaf close up

Slang

Street names vary around the country. Bhang, black, blast, blow, blunts, Bob Hope, bush, dope, draw, ganja, grass, hash, hashish, hemp, herb, marijuana, pot, puff, punk, Northern Lights, resin, sensi, sinsemilla, shit, skunk, smoke, soap, spliff, wacky backy, weed, zero. Some names are based on where it comes from... Afghan, homegrown, Moroccan etc.

The effects

Some people may feel chilled out, relaxed and happy, while others have one puff and feel sick. Others get the giggles or become talkative.
Hunger pangs aka 'the munchies' are common.
Users may become more aware of their senses or get a feeling of slowing of time.

Chances of getting hooked

About 10% of users get psychologically hooked, but there is no physical addiction.
The longer you use the harder it can be to quit.
Tobacco is dangerous and addictive, even when smoked in spliffs.

The law

Cannabis is illegal; it's a Class B drug.
If you’re caught with cannabis the police will always take action.

Possession

If you’re caught with even a litle bit of cannabis the police will confiscate the drug and you can be arrested. What the police will do depends on the circumstances and your age.
If you’re 18 or over you’ll usually get a warning. If you’re under 18, you’ll get a reprimand and your parent or guardian will be contacted. The police are more likely to arrest you if: you are blatantly smoking in public and/or have been caught with cannabis before.
If you’re under 18, the second time you get caught you’re likely to get a final warning and be referred to a Youth Offending Team. If you’re 18 and over, the second time you get caught you’re likely to get a Penalty Notice of Disorder, which is an on-the-spot fine of £80. This gets logged on the Police National Computer.
Whatever age you are, if you’re caught for a third time you're likely to be arrested.
A criminal record can affect your chances of getting a job. It could also affect whether you can go on holiday to some countries.
The maximum penalty for possession is five years in prison plus an unlimited fine.

Supply:

Dealing is seen as a very serious offence.
In the eyes of the law, this includes giving drugs to friends.
People who grow cannabis in their homes or carry large amounts on them also risk being charged with intent to supply.
The maximum penalty for supply is 14 years in prison plus an unlimited fine.

Did you know?

Drug driving is as illegal as drink driving. You could go to prison, get a heavy fine or be disqualified.
Letting people take cannabis in your house or any other premises is illegal. If the police catch someone smoking cannabis in a club they can prosecute the landlord, club owner or person holding the party.
Using cannabis to relieve pain is also an offence. Possession is illegal whatever you’re using it for.

Appearance and use

Cannabis comes in different forms.

Hash is a blacky-brown lump made from the resin of the plant. It can be hard or squidgy.
Grass or weed (traditional herbal cannabis) is made from the dried leaves of the plant and looks like tightly packed dried herbs.
Most people mix cannabis with tobacco and smoke it as a spliff or a joint. Some people put it in a pipe. And others make tea with it or put it in food like cakes or ‘cannabis cookies’.

Cost

Prices can vary from region to region. The prices given here are an average of street prices reported from 20 different parts of England.Grass is usually more expensive than resin (hash), with stronger forms tending to be more expensive (e.g. ‘skunk’ at £200 per ounce).

The potency of herbal cannabis decreases over time in storage and is affected by what parts of the plant have been included in the product. Hence, a user has little guarantee about the ‘intensity of the high’. Also, it has been found the intensity of the smell of skunk appears to be no guide to the actual strength either.

The risks

Even hardcore smokers can become anxious, panicky and suspicious.
It affects your coordination, which is one of the reasons why drug driving is just as illegal as drink driving.
Some people think cannabis is harmless just because it’s a plant – but it isn’t harmless. Cannabis, like tobacco, has lots of chemical 'nasties', which can cause lung disease and cancer with long-term or heavy use, especially as it is often mixed with tobacco. It can also make asthma worse.
Cannabis is risky for anyone with a heart problem as it increases the heart rate and can affect blood pressure.
There’s also increasing evidence of a link between cannabis and mental health problems such as schizophrenia. If you’ve a history of mental health problems, depression or are experiencing paranoia, then taking this drug is not a good idea.
Frequent use of cannabis can cut a man's sperm count and suppress ovulation in women. If you’re pregnant, smoking cannabis may harm the baby.
Regular, heavy use makes it difficult to learn and concentrate. Some people begin to feel tired all the time and can't seem to get motivated.
Some users may want to buy stronger herbal cannabis to get ‘a bigger high’ but unpleasant reactions can be more powerful when you use stronger strains, and stronger varieties may lead in time to more severe dependence or more severe mental health effects.