Cannabis
What is cannabis?
Cannabis (also known as marijuana) is the dried flowers, leaves and stems of the cannabis sativa plant. The main active ingredient in cannabis is called delta-9 tetrahydro-cannabinol, commonly known as THC. This is the part of the plant that gives the “high.” There is a wide range of THC potency between cannabis products.
Cannabis is used in three main forms: dried flowers/leaves, hashish and hash oil. Cannabis flower is the least potent of all the cannabis products and is usually smoked or made into edible products like cookies or brownies. Hashish is made from the resin (a secreted gum) of the cannabis plant. It is dried and pressed into small blocks and smoked. It can also be added to food and eaten. Hash oil, the most potent cannabis product, is a thick oil obtained from hashish. It is also smoked.
Cannabis is also known as marijuana, grass, pot, dope, Mary Jane, weed, hash, joints, brew, reefers, cones, smoke, mull, buddha, ganga, hydro, yarndi, heads and green.
How is it used?
Cannabis can be consumed in various ways: smoked in a pipe, bong, or joint; in blunts (cigars refilled with cannabis); vaped; or ingested through tinctures, drinks, or edibles like gummies and baked goods, either commercially or homemade.
The method of consumption can impact how long it takes to feel the onset of the effects. The effects of smoking or vaping cannabis can be felt within 10 minutes, whereas edibles can take from 1-4 hours.
Did You Know?
Many students who don’t use cannabis worry that they might be alone in abstaining, but only 41% of students reported using cannabis in the last 3 months in a 2021 survey. That means close to 60% of students are abstainers or occasional users.
