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.

Reading cannabis labels

It’s important to read labels carefully and pay close attention to dose!

Buying from a dispensary is helpful because you can easily plan for the exact dose you want to take (as opposed to homemade edibles which are harder to dose/measure).

Many people consider 5mg of THC a good “starting dose” – however it should be noted that effects can be felt at much smaller doses like 1-2 mg! Start small. Lots of factors impact a way a person may experience a high (weight, tolerance, metabolism, etc.) and it’s best to start low and go slow.

Why do people use it?

Most people who use cannabis do so to experience a sense of mild euphoria and relaxation, often referred to as a “high.” Cannabis causes changes in the user’s mood and also affects how they think and perceive the environment, e.g. everyday activities such as watching the television and listening to music can become altered and more intense. This can be followed by drowsiness and sedation. Cannabis can also increase hunger (“the munchies”). High concentrations of THC may produce a more hallucinogenic response.

What are the risks of cannabis use?

Many people believe that cannabis is a relatively benign substance, however it does have risks. Individuals with a personal or family history of psychiatric disorder may be at increased risk of psychosis. The THC level in cannabis products has increased significantly in recent years, resulting in an uptick in hospital visits for cannabis-induced psychosis. Additionally, individuals using cannabis should not drive while high as it impairs reaction-time and coordination. It is virtually impossible to overdose from cannabis, which sets it apart from most drugs

Short-term effects

Discomforts associated with smoking cannabis include dry mouth, dry eyes, increased heart rate and visible signs of intoxication such as bloodshot eyes and puffy eyelids.

Long-term effects

Respiratory problems

Regular cannabis smokers can experience many of the same issues as cigarette smokers.
Possible symptoms include persistent coughing, bronchitis, and frequent chest colds.
Cannabis smoke contains over 400 chemicals, including benzopyrene, a known carcinogen.
The tar and carbon monoxide levels in cannabis smoke are 3 to 5 times higher than in cigarette smoke. This is likely due to deeper inhalation, longer breath-holding, and the lack of filters.

Memory and learning

Regular cannabis use impairs the ability to focus, sustain attention, and shift between tasks. It affects short-term memory and motivation, even after the high wears off.
Long-term use may reduce the ability to organize and integrate complex information.
Small doses can impair recall of information seen just 20 minutes earlier.
These effects can negatively impact academic performance over time.

Fertility

Long-term cannabis use can suppress hormones that regulate the reproductive system.
In men, it may lower sperm count and cause erectile dysfunction with heavy use.
In women, it can lead to irregular menstrual cycles.
These effects can reduce the ability to conceive, though they typically do not cause complete infertility.

Mental health

Cannabis use can worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression. It may disrupt sleep patterns, especially with long-term use.
Some users report mental health improvement after stopping cannabis use.

Is cannabis addictive?

No one would argue that cannabis is as addictive as alcohol or cocaine. However, it’s wrong to say that it is not at all addictive. More and more studies are finding that cannabis has addictive properties. Both animal and human studies show physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms from cannabis, including irritability, restlessness, insomnia, nausea and intense dreams. Tolerance to cannabis also builds up rapidly. Heavy users need 8 times higher doses to get the same effects as infrequent users.

For a small percentage of people who use it, cannabis can be highly addictive. It is estimated that 10% to 17% of users will develop a cannabis use disorder¹. More than 120,000 people in the US seek treatment for cannabis addiction every year. Because the consequences of cannabis use can be subtle and insidious, it is more difficult to recognize signs of addiction. Cultural and societal beliefs that cannabis cannot be addictive make it less likely for people to seek help or to get support for quitting.

Some warning signs that you might have a problem are:

More frequent use
Needing more and more to get the same effect
Spending time thinking about using cannabis
Spending more money than you have on it
Missing class or failing to finish assignments because of cannabis
Making new friends who do it and neglecting old friends who don’t
Finding it’s hard to be happy without it

Because THC is fat soluble and remains in the body for up to 3 weeks, it’s important to remember that withdrawal symptoms might not be felt immediately. If you find that you can’t stop using cannabis, then remember, there’s help.Concerned about your use? Book a free and confidential 1:1 Wellness Coaching session with SHOP staff to discuss your concerns, receive personalized feedback and explore options.

Is cannabis legal?

While cannabis is legal in California, it is still not legal at the federal level. Because the University of California receives federal funding, cannabis is not legal on campus, even if it is for medical use. The University of California prohibits the use, possession and sale of cannabis in any form on all university property, including university-owned and leased buildings, housing and parking lots. Cannabis is also not permitted at university events or while conducting university business. For more information, see UC guidance on use and possession of cannabis on UC property.

Medical marijuana

While cannabis is legal in California, it is still not legal at the federal level. Because the University of California receives federal funding, cannabis is not legal on campus, even if it is for medical use. If you currently use cannabis for medical reasons, contact the Cowell Student Health Center to consult about alternatives that are legal on campus.

Harm reduction tips for cannabis use

Prepping for a drug trip is similar to prepping for a road trip. Having people you feel safe around, in a comfortable setting with the proper snacks and supplies can go a long way towards having an enjoyable experience. You should also consider the following:

Go low and go slow. You can always consume more later if you want, but you can’t consume less once you have taken the substance.
Wait before you take more. It can take more than an hour to feel the effects of cannabis if you are taking an edible. If you take more too soon, you might be uncomfortably high.
Do not use cannabis products and drive. Cannabis can impair reaction time and distort your perceptions. Hand a sober friend your keys or check out other transportation options.
Avoid mixing cannabis with other substances. Getting cross-faded, mixing cannabis and alcohol together, can increase nausea (known as “the spins”) and further impair coordination. Additionally, it increases the chances of experiencing paranoia.
Take a tolerance break. Having periods of abstinence from cannabis can help with reducing dependence on the drug and not needing as much to get high. For more on this, visit Take a Cannabis Tolerance Break (Link used with permission of UVM).

Connor, J.P. et al. (2021). Cannabis use and cannabis use disorder, Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 7(16). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-021-00247-4
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