Cannabis

Question 1

Explain the classification of cannabis

Answer 1

Class B, schedule 1 drug as it has no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse

Question 2

Effects of cannabis

Answer 2

Relaxation, anhanced well-being, heightening of sensors, happiness and laugh easily.
Paranoia, anxiety, nausea, hunger, thirst, reduced concentration and impaired memory.

Question 3

The three forms of cannabis

Answer 3

Marijuana - dry leaves and stalks of plant
Hashish - sticky resin from flowers
Oil - extract from hashish

Question 4

Low vs high quality of cannabis plant material

Answer 4

High - fruiting tops and flowers. Products are seized to remove stems and leaves.
Low - contain stalks, seeds, leaves and flowering tops. May be compressed into blocks or as loose herbal material.

Question 5

Mediterranean cannabis resin

Answer 5

Resin seeds and leaves are detached, material is sieved to remove seeds and compressed into slabs. May be wrapped in cloth bags or cellulose wrapping.

Question 6

Indian subcontinent resin

Answer 6

Plants are more sticky and resinous. Resin is obtained by rubbing the plants surface against palms and collect. Shaped into slabs, rods etc.

Question 7

THC contents

Answer 7

Plant material - 0.5-5%
Resin material - 2-10%
Skunk - 10-15%
Hash oil - 10-40%
(People Rarely Smoke Hash - to remember the order)

Question 8

How/ why are cannabis effects experienced and how long for?

Answer 8

THC binds to cannibinoid receptors in membranes of some nerve cells abundant in the cerebral cortex. Remains in blood stream for a short amount of time before deposition into fatty tissue.

Question 9

Describe detection of cannabis

Answer 9

Detected in urine for 2-7 days for casual use or up to 30 days for chronic use. Analysed by TLC or the presence of unicellular trichomes under a microscope