How much cannabis?
Cannabis and:
Pre-conception
Pregnancy
Breastfeeding
Australian Drug and Information Service (ADIS)
Marijuana, or cannabis, is the most commonly consumed illegal drug in Australia. The cannabis plant (or 'hemp' plant) is usually smoked like a cigarette (known as a 'joint'), or through a small pipe, or more commonly through a water pipe (known as a 'bong'). The dried cannabis leaves (or their budding 'heads') are often mixed with
tobacco when being smoked, meaning that the negative health effects of tobacco can be combined with those of cannabis.
An alternative to smoking 'marijuana leaves and heads' is hashish (known as 'hash'). Hashish is the more concentrated resin of the cannabis plant, looking like a dark brown putty substance, and can be smoked in a similar way to marijuana. Some people will put hashish into foods for eating.
The chemical derived from cannabis that gives the person a 'high' is called 'THC' (or 'tetrahydrocannabinol'). THC moves into the person's blood stream from the smoke they inhale into their lungs, usually within minutes, affecting the person's brain and causing alterations in their moods and perceptions for up to 5 hours. If THC is mixed with food and eaten, it usually takes about an hour to affect the brain, but can last for up to 12 hours. THC is stored in the body's fat cells and takes about one month to totally leave the body. Women have a higher percentage of body fat than men, therefore their body has the ability to store more THC.
When small amounts of cannabis are taken, the person can feel relaxed with a sense of 'well-being'. They may have a tendency to talk and laugh more than usual, or perhaps feel tired and sleepy. Some physical effects associated with cannabis use can include reddened eyes, a dry mouth, an increased appetite, increased heartbeat, impaired coordination and reduced concentration.