Cannabis is a depressant drug that is used as dried buds or leaves. It can sometimes come as hash (like a brown resin) and cannabis oil. Cannabis can be smoked in a bong or joint, alternatively eaten in cookies or brownies, cannabis oil can be used in a vaporiser too.  It can have psychedelic and stimulant effects too.

OTHER NAMES:

Cannabis is also known as marijuana, choof, grass, pot, weed, dope, herb, edibles, mull, ganja, joint, cones, yarndi. 

Cannabis has depressant, psychedelic and stimulating effects.

FACTS TO KNOW :

• It can slow down your response time, affect your senses (trippy) and can even give you more energy. 
• Using cannabis might make you talkative, relaxed or feel euphoric. Some people can also feel drowsy, anxiety and nauseous.  
• The main active components of cannabis is Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) which can vary widely between cannabis plants.

DURATION:

• You might feel the effects as quick as 10 minutes after smoking or vaping cannabis.
• You might feel the effects for 1 to 4 hours if smoked or vaped. 5 or more hours if eaten. 
• It can take longer if eaten, at least 20 to 40 minutes- so take your time because it’s easy to take too much!
• You might reach your peak about 15 to 40 minutes after you’ve smoked or 3 to 4 hours after you’ve eaten it.  

STAYING AS SAFE AS YOU CAN

• Effects vary from person to person and depend on the CBD and THC ratio of the cannabis.
• Always start with a smaller dose first to check the strength of the cannabis and your tolerance on the day. 
• Wait at least two hours before re-dosing (eating more) edible cannabis because it can take a little longer to feel the effects which can be more intense compared to smoking cannabis.
• Holding the smoke in your lungs will not make the effects stronger. 
• Mixing cannabis with tobacco can increase the chance of nicotine dependency and make it harder to reduce or control your use.  
• Make sure you wait until the effects are completely worn off before you drive or do anything that requires coordination.

• This is only a little bit of information this Harm Reduction Victoria fact sheet has heaps more. Please see link below for printable version.

• The relationship between cannabis and mental health is explained in this video on the effects of marijuana on the brain from Cannabis information & Support website.
• Or there’s this article from ADF in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service providers that has some information about what happens to the body and brain on Ganja.