Drugs: what is marijuana?

A large and controversial topic in politics is marijuana – should it be legalised or not? But perhaps to many, you may not understand what it is, how it effects people and lives. Maybe you've heard some words thrown around school – “weed” “pot” “a joint”. Maybe you know people who have tried it or still do. But it's important to know about these things in case you ever feel pressured or invited to try some and you don't have an opinion. I will try discuss what it is and other information that will help you form your opinion. Please know that I will keep it an unbiased article – though I advocate it in my own personal opinion, there are others who may disagree.


First off – what is weed? Weed is one of the many street names of the drug, including names like “pot”, “grass”, “dope” and, of course, the somewhat comical “420”. But it's proper name is cannabis. It is a type of plant that contains large amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that is used as a medical drug. However, upon proper preparation, it can be used as a drug through different methods – smoking, vaporisation, within food or as an extract.


Complicated origins aside, people who use weed recreationally experience a number of effects which make using it enjoyable. The main effect is happiness and relaxation, where the brain relaxes from everything due to the chemicals. However other possible symptoms can include a distortion of reality, hallucinations, paranoia, reddening of the eyes, increased appetite and struggles with cognitive movement.


These symptoms, therefore, are debatable on whether using it recreationally is good or not. Many people use it medically to help deal with physical conditions to ease the pain or for mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, where the chemicals make them feel better. However, addiction to the drug can occur, long-term usage can cause problems socially and some research claims it can affects physical health. It also noted that the use of marijuana can impair education and has shown to have negative effects on users concentration, memory and learning.


Whether you choose to try it if ever invited is up to you. Ensure you are not pressured to by friends and ensure it is your choice and yours only. If you do agree, then be aware of your settings and surroundings – be with people that you can totally trust in case you start having severe effects (known as a “bad high”). Also ensure the enviroment you are in is safe for the use. This is particularly important if it is in a country where use is illegal. Make sure you know your limits so you don’t smoke too much and have a bad trip. It’s all wise to look up the health risks, laws and consequences of using so you can make the opinion to use it. Either way, make sure you stay safe! Your opinion matters so don’t feel bad if you don’t do it, and don’t feel guilty if you do!
~ Hollie