Cannabis
Slang
Dope, puff, weed, blow, draw, smoke, shit, spliff, pot, grass, ganja, marihuana, the herb, skunk, hash, hashish, wacky backy, bhang, black, blast, blow, blunts. Bob Hope, bush, dope, draw, ganja, grass, hash, hashish, hemp, herb, Mary Jane, Northern Lights, pot, puff, resin, sensi, sensemilla, soap, weed, zero etc. Some names are based on where it comes from... Afghan, homegrown, Morocco, and some names are regional and may also reflect the age of the user.
Description
There are several forms of cannabis.
Resin
Picture 1 shows 'resin' - a solid block which can be black and looking like liquorice, to a brown block looking like mud (also called hashish or hash). It is the probably the most commonest form of cannabis in the UK. It's quite often soft and squidgy.
Grass
Leaves, stalks and seeds is called 'grass' (Picture 2). Cannabis oil (not pictured), is hardly ever seen in the UK. It is dark and sticky, looks like tar, and comes in a small jar.
Skunk
Skunk is a particularly strong smelling herb form of cannabis. It is a subgroup of grass, and is particularly potent. Drug workers are usually more concerned about the risks associated with using skunk, compared the the other forms of cannabis.
Whatever the form, cannabis can be rolled (usually with tobacco) in a spliff or joint, smoked on its own in a special pipe, or cooked and eaten in food.
It is a depressant that alters perceptions, derived from a bushy plant, found in most parts of the world and easily cultivated in Britain.
Cost
Varies widely around the country. Grass is usually more expensive than resin (hash). Resin costs around £90 per ounce or £15 for an eighth of an ounce. Herbal cannabis costs anything from £60 per ounce to about £120 for strong strains such as skunk. Heavy and regular cannabis users might use an eighth of an ounce per day. Many people only smoke occasionally.
Is it the real thing? It's been know that some people sell blocks of mud, stock cubes and garden herbs. The most unpure cannabis is called 'soap bar'. It's contaminated with all sorts of things. This makes it cheaper but it's a false economy really as it is often harder to get stoned.
Paraphernalia / what to look out for
- King-size 'Rizla' papers (if available, usually with bits torn off the cardboard packaging).
- Remnants of unsmoked cigarettes (the tobacco taken out).
- Bongs or pipes used to smoke cannabis. These could be home made from plastic bottles, biros, tin foil etc.
- You may be able to detect the distinctive herbal smell of cannabis. Click here to smell. Just joking.
Possible short-term indicators
- Usually makes people feel relaxed, giggly and talkative.
- Users may report enhanced awareness and appreciation.
- Some users may get the 'munchies' (a craving for sweet / processed food)
- Eyes may become bloodshot
- Used as a relaxant and mild intoxicant. If the user is anxious or depressed, it could make him or her feel worse. Users could feel nauseous, anxious, paranoid, confused, depressed or have panic attacks.
- Makes concentration and quick reactions difficult. Will affect driving.
Possible longer-term indicators
- Psychological dependence and respiratory problems possible. If smoked with tobacco, lung cancer is possible.
- A user may experience the following: - lack of motivation and general lethargy, mood swings possible paranoia, drug induced psychosis (very rare, but rising in total numbers affected), short-term memory loss.
- Frequent use of cannabis can cut a man's sperm count and suppress ovulation in women.
The Frank website (www.talktofrank.co.uk) says of cannabis:
"Some research has shown that cannabis may worsen mental illnesses like schizophrenia. It may also slow down any recovery from these illnesses. If you've got a history of mental illness in the family you should think very carefully about getting stoned. Cannabis can cause a range of mental health problems from short lived and more common problems such as anxiety and paranoid feelings, to less common difficulties with actual psychotic states that may require medical treatment. These problems may fade away over several days after stopping using cannabis but occasionally may require a stay in hospital."
Harm reduction
- Refer to general suggestions.
- Don't use cannabis and drive, or use machinery whilst under the influence.
Legal status
The classification has recently changed. Now Class B of the Misuse of Drugs Act LINK. Class A penalties can apply to cannabis oil.
The following is an extract from the Home Office website:
Why Class B?
The government reclassified cannabis from Class C to Class B in January 2009. Classing cannabis in Class B reflects the fact that skunk, a much stronger version of the drug, now dominates in the UK. Skunk has swept many less potent forms of cannabis off the market, and now accounts for more than 80% of cannabis available on our streets, compared to just 30% in 2002.
The classification of cannabis means:
- the government will robustly enforce laws on cannabis supply and possession
- police and other agencies will work to shut down cannabis farms and arrest the organised criminals who run them
- the consideration of additional aggravating sentencing factors for those caught supplying cannabis near schools
Current penalties related to cannabis
Penalties for supply, dealing, production and trafficking
The maximum penalty is 14 years imprisonment.
Penalties for possession
The maximum penalty is five years imprisonment.
Young people in possession of cannabis
A young person found to be in possession of cannabis will be arrested and taken to a police station where they can receive a reprimand, final warning or charge depending on the seriousness of the offence.
Following one reprimand, any further offence will lead to a final warning or charge.
Any further offence following a warning will normally result in criminal charges.
After a final warning, the young offender must be referred to a Youth Offending Team to arrange a rehabilitation programme.
This police enforcement is consistent with the structured framework for early juvenile offending established under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
Adults in possession of cannabis
Anyone caught in possession of cannabis could be arrested.
Alternatively, police may:
- issue a warning (primarily for first-time offenders)
- issue a penalty notice for disorder, with an on-the-spot fine of £80