The scientific name for hemp is cannabis. Its plants and flowers are sometimes called marijuana. They contain a psychoactive, or mind-altering, resin that can affect how you feel, think, and act. It comes as dried leaves and flowers, also known as marijuana buds (marijuana), pressed flowers and leaves (hashish/hash), and concentrated resin that has been extracted with a solvent (hashoil).

It is often smoked as a joint or in a pipe, but cannabis can also become a mist by vaporizing it. Some people make it into tea, and others use it in baking or as a tincture. It is a concentrated liquid that can be absorbed by placing a drop under one’s tongue.

Why are we using cannabis?

Since ancient times humans have used cannabis for many purposes. It’s been used for socializing, to help people relax and communicate with one another. Others have used the drug for spiritual reasons, or to experience an altered state of consciousness. Others use it for anxiety relief or to manage their medical conditions. Cannabis can offer many benefits, but as with all drugs, there are risks.

Relaxing with a friend over a joint on Friday night can be a way to wind down after a hectic work week. Tobacco smoking can cause a dull atmosphere, which can lead to lost conversations and a lack of motivation. It can also make it more difficult to make bad decisions such as driving when the effects have not worn off. Cannabis may relieve anxiety or stress but it can also be harmful to our health and relationships.

What happens if we use cannabis?

Inhaling cannabis causes chemicals called cannabinoids in the lungs to be absorbed into your bloodstream. The effects are almost instantaneous. Cannabinoids get absorbed through the stomach or intestine when they’re swallowed. This process is slow and can make it difficult for the user manage their dose.

Cannabis can have very different effects on different people. One person could feel relaxed, another might feel energetic, yet another could feel anxious. Sometimes the same person can have a completely opposite experience on different occasions. How much cannabis we consume at any given point in time can affect how much. Others that can affect us are our

• Experiences with cannabis before.
• Your current mood and your environment.CannabinoidsThere are more than 60 types of cannabinoids, but best known for its psychoactive properties is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC.Health effectsCannabis can be both beneficial to our health and dangerous. Research shows that cannabis can alleviate the symptoms of certain medical conditions, including nausea, pain, and muscle cramps. However, heavy use can lead to many health issues including psychotic symptoms.People who use cannabis socially claim that it helps them relax and enhances their sense of well being. Some people might feel anxious after smoking cannabis. It can also affect their relationships. People may feel unable to remember things for a few hours after they smoke a joint. This may impact their relationships with others.Smoking excessive amounts of cannabis can cause irritation in the respiratory tract. This can increase your risk of chronic coughing as well as shortness and wheezing. While cannabis smoke is similar to tobacco smoke in that it contains cancer-causing substances, the risk of developing some forms of cancer is much lower for cannabis users. This may be due to the fact that they smoke less cannabis than smokers who use tobacco.In the third quarter of 2018, Canadians who are 15 years or older lived in Canada.17% British Columbians had cannabis-related illnesses.14% drove within two hours after using cannabis.5% were passengers in a vehicle being driven by someone who had used cannabis within two hours.

What are the consequences of using cannabis?

A problem is when cannabis use negatively affects your life or the lives and well-being of others. It may seem that people who regularly consume large quantities of cannabis are the problem. However, even one use of cannabis can sometimes cause problems. It is possible to make poor decisions such as driving once the effects have worn off. What is important to realize is that adverse consequences can also be caused by the context of usage and over time.

The risks associated with cannabis use, especially by young people, are particularly high. Similar to other psychoactive drug, cannabis may cause problems with brain development. Also, early use can affect normal patterns of social interaction among peers. This can have a negative impact upon well-being.

Risk of developing serious health problems depends on how cannabis is used. One example is that a person might use cannabis for entertainment, and only occasionally social use. For those who use cannabis to combat a long-term condition such as chronic stress, however, more sustained and intense use can be expected.

The majority of people who use marijuana do not become dependent. However, it is possible to be at greater risk for those who regularly use cannabis over a prolonged period. One person may use cannabis regularly to feel normal and function throughout the day.

If someone stops using cannabis regularly, they may experience mild symptoms of withdrawal such as irritability or loss of appetite.