All Doped Up?

MARIJUANA - dope, grass, green, hooch, mull, pot, hash, gunga, weed, wacky-tobaccy, skunk, doobey.

Cannabis or Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug and is made from dried leaves and flowers of the plant Cannabis sativa. It usually is grey, green or brown in colour. The drug is commonly smoked as a joint when rolled in tobacco paper or placed at the end of a bong. There have also been instances where cannabis has been mixed in cakes and cookies and then eaten.

Cannabis can act as a stimulant or depressant, with or without hallucinations, depending on the individual, their mood and the atmosphere.

The initial effect for a new marijuana smoker can be a strong "rush"

The appeal of a drug of this nature is that a majority of users feel relaxed and self-confident and have altered perceptions of time and space.

However, some new users, particularly adolescents and people who use a lot regularly, can experience psychosis. People with schizophrenia or those with a family history of psychosis are at increased risk. While heavy users can experience confusion, anxiety and panic which are by no means, pleasant feelings.

Long-term cannabis use is likely to have a NEGATIVE effect on your health.
These effects include:

• Respiratory diseases such as bronchitis.
  
• Cancers commonly associated with smokers.
  
• Loss of memory and mental capacity.
  
• Potential risk to children when women use cannabis during pregnancy.
  

As with the use of most drugs, many become hooked on their habit and have difficulty controlling their use of the drug and giving it up. And what once started, as an experimentation now becomes a regular habit.

Regular users may experience withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, nausea, irritation, depression, and anxiety and have difficulties in sleeping.

So what are the other likely effects of such a drug? This will depend on the amount of the drug, which has been consumed.

When taken in smaller dosages, the effects include:

• Bad balance and coordination.
  
• Increased feeling of hunger.
  
• Increased tiredness.
  
• Altered feelings of happiness.
  
• Bad concentration.
  
• Increased heart rate.
  

When taken in larger dosages, the effects include ALL the above PLUS:

• Restlessness.
  
• Paranoia.
  
• Anxiousness and panic states.
  
• Feelings of distance from reality.
  
• Intense Confusion.
  

So given all the facts, is taking drugs really worth the risk? The answer - NO!

But of course, we cannot tell you what to do, we can only present you with the facts.

Using, keeping, selling or giving marijuana to others is illegal in Australia. Buying or selling equipment to use marijuana is also illegal.


- Annemarie Failla