Cannabis

WHAT IS CANNABIS?

Cannabis is an illegal drug made from drying various parts of the Indian hemp plant. One of the main active chemicals in cannabis is THC [delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol] but there are many others (such as CBD-cannibidiol) that can contribute to the overall effects.

OTHER NAMES:

Marijuana, choof, grass, pot, weed, hash, reefer, dope, herb, mull, Buddha, ganja, joint, stick, buckets, cones, skunk, hydro, yarndi, smoke, hooch, green, budd.

UNDERSTANDING:

A young person may appear talkative and giggly with excessive hunger or withdrawn and relaxed. They may have decreased concentration and slower reaction times. Their eyes may appear red rimmed and glassy and their pupils larger than usual.

Cannabis smells quite different to cigarette smoke but can, like cigarettes, linger on a person’s clothes or hair after use. The smell has been described as ‘sweet’ ‘herbal’ ‘pungent and oily’ and ‘like burning leaves in the garden.’ A cannabis cigarette or ‘joint’ will look like a tobacco cigarette that has been made by hand rather than machine and may be uneven with the contents roughly packed.

Cannabis is most commonly sold in small zip-lock bags and has the appearance of dried whole leaves and buds of the plant. When crushed it looks like a dried culinary herb such as basil.

Water pipes known as ‘bongs’ can be made at home out of any plastic drinking bottle or purchased readymade and are commonly used to smoke cannabis.

HOW TO SUPPORT A YOUNG PERSON:

A young person who has used cannabis will have trouble concentrating and may be giggly, distracted or subdued and withdrawn.
Long-term use leads to difficulties retaining information and concentrating. Some young people struggle with low self-confidence, uncertainties around socialising and may isolate themselves to try and keep anxiety and paranoia under control.

A young person who has been using cannabis every day for several months may have trouble sleeping at night and be agitated and anxious in the evening and tired and worn out in the morning. They may be irritable, anxious and have a poor appetite or nausea and distracting thoughts about ‘wanting to use’ (cravings).

For a more comprehensive guide we recommend the ADF’s fact sheet.