Also known as: HASH, GRASS, WEED, SKUNK
Cannabis is the most commonly used illegal drug. But that doesn't mean there's no risk in taking it.
What does it look like? Weed or grass looks like a bundle of brown or dark green dried herbs. Hash is cannabis in the form of 'resin' - a dark sticky brown lump. Skunk is a stronger form of cannabis, and is made in a different way. Mostly cannabis is mixed with tobacco, rolled into a joint or spliff and then smoked. Sometimes people put it in tea or cook it in cakes - 'hash cakes'.
Weed or grass looks like a bundle of brown or dark green dried herbs. Hash is cannabis in the form of 'resin' - a dark sticky brown lump. Skunk is a stronger form of cannabis, and is made in a different way. Mostly cannabis is mixed with tobacco, rolled into a joint or spliff and then smoked. Sometimes people put it in tea or cook it in cakes - 'hash cakes'.
There's no knowing exactly what's in the drugs you're taking - some people have been known to buy blocks of mud from dealers without knowing it.
How does it make you feel? Everyone's different - some people feel relaxed, happy, giggly, or high. Other people feel sick or end up vomiting.
Everyone's different - some people feel relaxed, happy, giggly, or high. Other people feel sick or end up vomiting.
Is it dangerous? Cannabis can be psychologically addictive. This means you can start to feel that you need it to be normal, or just to 'feel better'. Some research suggests it may also put you at greater risk of depression or other mental health disorders. No illegal drugs are 'safe' - they all harm the body in one way or another.
Cannabis can be psychologically addictive. This means you can start to feel that you need it to be normal, or just to 'feel better'. Some research suggests it may also put you at greater risk of depression or other mental health disorders. No illegal drugs are 'safe' - they all harm the body in one way or another.
What are the risks?
- It can make you feel anxious or panicky
- You can feel tired all the time
- It can put you at great risk of depression or other mental health problems like schizophrenia, some research shows. If you've already got mental health problems, cannabis could well make them worse.
- It's bad news if you have a heart problem, as it interferes with your blood pressure
- Like tobacco, cannabis can cause cancer and lung disease, and it makes asthma worse.
- If you're pregnant, cannabis can harm your baby
Cannabis and the Law:
Cannabis is an illegal Class B drug. This means it is against the law to be caught with cannabis on you, to be smoking it, to have other people in your house smoking it (you can be prosecuted), and worst of all to be caught giving it to someone else (supply), even if that person is just a mate.
The police will always take action, and you are likely to be arrested if you are caught smoking it in public, or if you have been caught before.
The maximum penalty for possessing cannabis is 5 years in prison, and an unlimited fine.
The maximum penalty for supplying cannabis is 14 years in prison and an unlimited fine.
For more information about cannabis being reclassified click the link below.
Reclassification of Cannabis
