What is Cannabis?
Cannabis refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the cannabis sativa or cannabis indica plant. “Cannabis” is the scientific term, but there are a lot of other names for cannabis, like:
- weed,
- pot,
- marijuana,
- mary jane,
- ganja,
- and more
There are two main compounds in cannabis: THC and CBD. THC is the chemical in cannabis that produces a “high” feeling. It affects parts of the brain related to things like pleasure, memory, focus, and movement. CBD does not make you high. CBD is sometimes used as a medical treatment. Researchers are working to better understand how CBD affects the body.
How is Cannabis Consumed?
Cannabis is most commonly smoked like a cigarette or inhaled through a vaporizer (vape). It can also be made into “edibles” like brownies or candies, or brewed like tea.
Edibles can have very high levels of THC and take up to 90 minutes before the effects are felt. This can make it difficult to judge how much to consume, increasing the chance of negative side effects.
Dabs are concentrated doses of cannabis that are made by extracting THC using a solvent. This produces a sticky oil (sometimes called wax, shatter, budder, and butane hash oil). Learn more about dabs.
How Does Cannabis Impact the Body?
When cannabis is smoked or vaped, THC passes from your lungs into your bloodstream. Your bloodstream carries it to organs throughout your body. Effects begin immediately and can last from 1 to 3 hours. Edibles can take longer before the effects are felt, because they are absorbed through the digestive system.
How Long Do You Feel High After Consuming Cannabis?
The answer varies depending on a variety of factors: the amount consumed, the mode of consumption (how the cannabis was consumed), the weight of the consumer, their level of tolerance, etc.
The effects of using cannabis can last longer than you think. The noticeable effects of smoked cannabis generally last from 1 to 3 hours, and the effects of cannabis consumed in food or drink can last much longer.
The effects of cannabis on the body don’t end when you no longer feel “high.”
What Are Some Possible Side Effects of Cannabis?
Cannabis can cause slower reaction time and may cause dizziness. Other physical effects include increased heart rate, dry mouth, and increased appetite. In high doses, marijuana can cause hallucinations, delusions, impaired memory, and disorientation.
Chronic use or use of higher potency cannabis can lead to cannabinoid hyperemesis, which is severe nausea and dehydration. Heavy use could result in dependence and experiencing symptoms of withdrawal.
Can Cannabis Help With Anxiety?
Cannabis has been documented for use in alleviating anxiety. However, at medium to high doses, cannabis can have the opposite effect. Some research has also shown that it can produce feelings of anxiety, panic, paranoia, and psychosis.
Read more about how cannabis affects anxiety.
What Are the Laws for Cannabis?
You must be 21 years or older to purchase recreational cannabis in California or 18 years or older with a medical marijuana card. Cities and counties in California have to follow state and federal law, but they can make more specific rules for their area.
What Happens if You Get Caught With Cannabis When You’re Underage?
You might be required to complete drug education or counseling and community service. Even if the cannabis was purchased by someone over 21, you could still face penalties for possessing cannabis. You could also face fines and/or jail time if you have other prior offenses.
There are a few exceptions for medical emergencies under California’s Good Samaritan Laws. If someone overdoses or is in serious danger due to drugs, anyone can call for help without facing arrest or charges for minor drug possession.
Can You Travel or Drive With Cannabis?
Cannabis is still illegal on a federal level, which means federal law applies to some types of travel within California. Air travel is federally regulated, which is why it is illegal to carry cannabis products in airports or when you travel by air. This is true even if it is legal in the states where you are traveling. TSA officers are required to report any suspected violations of laws to local, state, or federal authorities.
No matter how you are traveling, cannabis cannot be taken across state lines, even if you’re traveling to a state where cannabis is legal. Driving while high is not legal or safe and could result in a DUI. It is also illegal to drive with an open container of cannabis in the passenger area of a vehicle.
What if You Are Undocumented?
U.S. Immigration is managed at a federal level. Because cannabis is illegal federally, there are unique risks for undocumented people, even in states where cannabis is legal. Possession or use can cause an individual to be denied any sort of visa, green card, or U.S. entry. Undocumented people could face legal consequences for using or possessing cannabis even if they are following state laws. Immigration officials can deny individuals entry into the United States, or have their application for lawful status or naturalization denied if they say they have ever possessed or used cannabis.
What are the restrictions for medical cannabis use?
You can be 18 years or older with a medical marijuana card if you have a current qualifying physician’s recommendation or a valid county-issued medical marijuana identification card. It is still illegal to drive while under the influence or to consume cannabis in public spaces, even if it is for medical use.
Is it Possible to Overdose on Cannabis?
Although you cannot technically overdose on weed, you can experience negative (and sometimes dangerous) side effects.
Heavy cannabis use can cause nausea and vomiting known as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). The word “hyperemesis” literally means extreme vomiting. To put it simply, overconsumption of cannabis can make a person sick to their stomach, causing severe vomiting, abdominal pain, and nausea.
Can You Get Addicted to Cannabis?
While cannabis does not have the same habit-forming chemicals found in other drugs, studies have found that some people are more susceptible to addiction and may become dependent on cannabis.
Marijuana use disorder is when users continue using cannabis despite significant negative impacts on one’s life and health. Cannabis impacts receptors in the brain, so while it does not cause chemical addiction, it can cause withdrawals that make it hard to quit. The more frequent the use, the more difficult it will be to quit, and the stronger the withdrawals will be. The ritual of smoking can also be habit-forming.
Read more about signs of a substance use problem.
What Are the Impacts of Black Market Cannabis?
Even though adults can legally buy cannabis in California, some people still grow and sell it illegally. Unlike legal cannabis, these products don’t have to follow rules about testing and safety.
Black Market Cannabis and the Environment
Black market cannabis can often have unintended environmental consequences. For example, cannabis needs a lot of water to grow, so growing it on a large scale can easily result in water depletion. Illegal growers often don’t pay for water use, so they tend to use water at even more wasteful rates. Purchasing from black market dealers instead of licensed farms or dispensaries can have a big impact on the environment.
Even when they are purchased legally, vapes can be bad for the environment. Learn more about the impacts of vaping on the environment.
Black Market Cannabis and Crime
When you buy weed on the street or from a dealer, you don’t know the source. Much of California’s illegal marijuana industry has been linked to criminal operations such as kidnapping and human trafficking.
These harmful practices can be avoided by buying cannabis from a legitimate farm or retailer in California.