Cannabis

The Drug

Cannabis, also known as marijuana (from the Mexican Spanish marihuana), and by other names, is a preparation of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug. Can also be used as medicine. The scientific name for the plant usually associated with the street drug marijuana is Cannabus sativus which is the Indian hemp plant. The active (medically speaking, pain killing) ingredient is tetrahydrocannabinol, often called THC.

Nicknames and Street Names for Marijuana

* Weed* Pot* Reefer* Grass* Dope* Ganja* Mary Jane* Hash* Herb* Aunt Mary* Skunk* Boom* Chronic* Cheeba* Blunt* Ashes* Atshitshi* Baby Bhang* Bammy* Blanket

* Bo-Bo, Bobo Bush* Bomber* Boom* Broccoli* Cripple* Dagga* Dinkie Dow* Ding* Dona Juana (or Juanita)* Flower, Flower Tops* Ganja* Gasper* Giggle Smoke, Good Giggles* Good Butt* Hot Stick* Jay* Jolly Green* Joy Smoke, Joy Stick* Roach

Consequences of Marijuana Abuse

Acute (present during intoxication)• Impairs short-term memory• Impairs attention, judgment, and other cognitive functions• Impairs coordination and balance• Increases heart rate• Psychotic episodes• Lack of physical co-ordination• Disorientation• Anxiety• Panic attacks

Persistent (lasting longer than intoxication, but may not be permanent)• Impairs memory and learning skills• Sleep impairment

Long-term (cumulative effects of chronic abuse)• Can lead to addiction• Increases risk of chronic cough, bronchitis• Increases risk of schizophrenia in vulnerable individuals• May increase risk of anxiety, depression, and amotivational syndrome

Marijuana’s effects in the body

Effects of Marijuana• Cannabis creates a kind of euphorical feeling when inhaled also called

”high”.• -Cannabis affects your psychology while doing so.• - Cannabis also creates a relaxed and eased stress free meditative state

where your whole body can relax.• -Amongst these affects cannabis also creates increased heart rate and an

increased desire for food.• -While high some people have reported that food tastes better and more

interesting.• -Cannabis sativa: Creates a more comic and hilarious feeling also called

“high”. Creates an increased appetite for food.• -Cannabis indica: Creates a more meditative state also referred as

“stoned”. This state is thought to be caused by a higher contrast of TSD and CBD that the cannabis consists of.

FINLAND Possession, manufacture and use of cannabis products were prohibited by law in Finland in 1972. The parliamentary discussion and the following vote resulted in a stalemate, so the issue was resolved by drawing lots- which resulted in cannabinoid products becoming illegal. In practice, possession or manufacture of cannabis products is considered to be a minor misdemeanor punishable by a minor fine (normally in the range of 60-500 euros). A supreme court decision of 2004 set up a "half a dozen" precedent: Cultivation of up to 6 plants for personal use is subject to the same penalties as personal use. The same applies to distribution and use within a "closed circle of users". However, open distribution is generally punished very severely. Aside from criminal penalties, users are often persecuted by welfare authorities on the pretext of child welfare (if the user has offspring); withdrawal of driving license is also common place.

Cannabis use all over the world

Stats about Marijuana in the US

World Cannabis Laws

Supply and Availability:

• Most produced drug in the world• “easy to buy”• Cannabis trafficking in 172 countries• Global production of herbal cannabis was

13,300 to 66,100 tons in 2008 and 2,200 to 9,900 tons of cannabis resin

• Street price of cannabis ranges according to location, amount and quality

• Usually 10 – 15 Euros

Popularity:

• Cannabis is the most consumed, trafficked, and produced drug in the world as of 2010

• 119 million to 224 million adult users worldwide

• Popularity is increasing• In 2010, the most prevalent use of

cannabis was in Australia and New Zealand. Second can the United States and Canada

• Minors the largest users of marijuana

• Studies show that is easy to obtain and this reflects on its popularity

Graphs