Drugs Information, what you really should know about, drugs facts on and facts about Marijuana / Cannabis
A Guide for worried parents, teenagers who are using drugs or thinking about using drugs and anyone who wants to know more about the subject.
This website has been accredited by the Matthew Project in Norwich, Greater Manchester Police force and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (The White House)
A: Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded flowers and leaves of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa)Today it is the most often used illegal drug in this country.
Cannabis is a term that refers to marijuana and other drugs made from the same plant. Stronger forms of cannabis include sinsemilla (sin-seh-me«-yah), hashish, and hash oil. All forms of cannabis are mind-altering and they all contain THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the main active chemical in marijuana. There are about 400 chemicals in a cannabis plant, but THC is the one that affects the brain the most. The strength of the drug is measured by the average amount of THC.
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Common street names:
skunk, skunkweed, grass, pot, dope, hash, blow, puff, black, tack,
bush, draw, ganja, leb, slate, rocky, marijuana, cannabis resin, cannabis
oil, smoke, joint, reefer, spliff, wacky backy.
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How are they taken:
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Effects:
Include lack of co-ordination, red eyes, dilated pupils, increased
heart rate and enjoyment of experiences, talkativeness, irrelevant
giggling and can have a heightened appreciation of sound and colour. Can
also cause a sudden increase in appetite. Strengths vary, some types are
very mild, and some types can be very strong.
The risks:
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Long-term effects of using marijuana: | |||
enhanced cancer risk | decrease in testosterone levels for men; also lower sperm counts and difficulty having children | increase in testosterone levels for women; also increased risk of infertility | diminished or extinguished sexual pleasure |
psychological dependence requiring more of the drug to get the same effect | |||
Short-term effects: | |||
sleepiness | difficulty keeping track of time, impaired or reduced short-term memory | reduced ability to perform tasks requiring concentration and coordination, such as driving a car | increased heart rate |
potential cardiac dangers for those with pre-existing heart disease | bloodshot eyes | dry mouth and throat | decreased social inhibitions |
paranoia, hallucinations |
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Marijuana blocks the messages
going to your brain and alters your perceptions and emotions, vision,
hearing, and coordination. A recent study of 1,023 trauma patients
admitted to a shock trauma unit found that one-third had marijuana in
their blood.
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For information about other drugs, return to Drug Information Page.