Cannabis
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Synonyms |
The most common synonyms are:
Other street names include: Cannabis can be combined with a variety of other psychoactive drugs, including:
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Classification |
Dissociative hallucinogen:
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Visual description |
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Mechanism of action |
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Routes of administration |
Smoked:
Ingested: marijuana and hashish can be mixed into food such as muffins. |
Effects sought out by the user
- Abstract thoughts (creative or philosophical ideas seem to flow more easily)
- Analgesia
- Decreased nausea and increased appetite
- Euphoria
- Heightened sensory perceptions
- Inappropriate laughter (without any apparent reason)
- Reduced stress
- Relaxation
Common toxic effects
- Altered state of consciousness
- Anxiety
- Change in vision (heightened perception of colours and lights)
- Confusion
- Distorted time perception
- Dry mouth*
- Fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness, lethargy
- Hallucinations
- Hypotension
- Impaired language and motor function, loss of coordination*
- Increased appetite*
- Increased heart rate
- Red eyes*
- Short-term memory loss
Overdose effects
- Delirium
- Depression
- Loss of motivation
- Panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Severe anxiety
Effects associated with chronic use
- Cancer-causing effects (many of the substances in marijuana smoke are related to tobacco smoke and some of them are even more concentrated)
- Increased heart rate, which can put significant stress on the heart
- Memory loss and impaired comprehension
- Precipitation or exacerbation of latent or existing mental disorders (e.g., psychosis, schizophrenia)
- Respiratory problems (bronchitis, respiratory tract infections)
* Visible signs and symptoms used to detect drug use.
Tolerance (need to increase the dose to feel the same effect)
Yes. Users develop tolerance to the effects that are sought and to many systemic effects (confusion, drowsiness, red eyes).
Addiction
Yes, psychological. People who use strong doses of cannabis on a regular basis can also develop physical dependence.
Withdrawal
Symptoms last about 2 to 4 days and up to 6 weeks if usage has been long-term. The severity of symptoms is related to frequency and duration of use and to individual sensitivity to THC. Potential effects include:
- Anhedonia (loss of enjoyment)
- Fatigue and abnormal drowsiness
- Headache and general malaise
- Impaired thought process and speech
- Sleep disturbance
- Slight loss of appetite
Onset and duration of action
Route of administration |
Onset of action |
Peak |
Duration of action |
Smoked | A few seconds to 10 minutes | 15 to 30 minutes | 1 to 4 hours, sometimes up to 8 hours |
Ingested | 30 minutes to 2 hours | 2 to 5 hours | 4 to 10 hours, sometimes up to 12 hours |
Screening
- Urine: can be detected for several weeks after use.
Intoxication management
- Symptom-based management of intoxication.
- There is no known antidote or any specific treatment although cannabidiol may counteract some of the effects of THC.
Many different street drugs are sold under the same name. Furthermore, nothing guarantees the quantity, purity or even the content of a street drug in spite of the fact that it may, in some cases, look like medication.
If you need help or want to learn more:
Partnership for a Drug-Free Canada.
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The patient information leaflets are provided by Vigilance Santé Inc. This content is for information purposes only and does not in any manner whatsoever replace the opinion or advice of your health care professional. Always consult a health care professional before making a decision about your medication or treatment.