Cannabis as a drug • Legalization, effects & withdrawal

More and more people are advocating the legalization of cannabis, but smoking pot is not without its dangers. Everything about the effects of cannabis, possible risks and how withdrawal can be achieved with an addiction.

THC is the main ingredient in hashish and marijuana. It is intoxicating and relaxing.
© iStock.com/MmeEmil

Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in the world. According to the drug and addiction report of the federal government, about 27 percent of all Germans state that they have used cannabis once in their life. Around 14 percent of 15 to 34 year olds even consume cannabis on a regular basis. However, marijuana, hashish and other cannabis products are covered by the Narcotics Act. This means that the consumption, possession and cultivation of cannabis are illegal.

Overview of article content:

20 facts about cannabis: did you know?

20 facts about cannabis: would you have known it?

What is cannabis?

Cannabis is the Latin name of the hemp plant, which has been used for the manufacture of clothing, as a drug and medicinal plant for around 4,000 years.

There are different types of hemp:

  • Cannabis sativa is particularly rich in the active ingredient cannabidiol (CBD)
  • Cannabis indica contains significantly more intoxicating tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
  • Cannabis ruderalis contains less THC

Most cannabis plants today are new varieties and crosses of old varieties in order to have a stronger effect.

The intoxicating effects of cannabis

Cannabis is obtained exclusively from the female hemp plant. The flowers and leaves secrete a sticky resin that has an intoxicating and mind-expanding effect. The psychogenic agents of THC bind in the body to special cannabinoid receptors that influence the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, acetylcholine and GABA in the brain.

Because of its mode of action, cannabis is a sedative. The effect can vary depending on the person, the type and amount of consumption and the THC content:

  • psychotropic (influencing the psyche)
  • hallucinogenic (changing sensory impressions)
  • euphorisierend
  • pain relieving (analgesic)
  • muscle relaxant
  • appetizing
  • Increase creativity and imagination
  • Relief from fear
  • increased sensitivity to touch, sharpened senses
  • Reduction of aggression during the duration of action

Smoking weed and hash cookies: cannabis use

When it comes to cannabis use, a basic distinction is made between hashish and marijuana. The THC content of hashish is slightly higher than that of marijuana.

  • Marijuana: dried flowers and leaf tips, other names for it are grass, hay, weed or pot

  • Hashish: Resin pressed into sheets, also known as shit or dope

The most common way to consume cannabis is to smoke pot. Marijuana or hashish are usually mixed with tobacco and smoked in the form of cigarettes (joints) or with a kind of water pipe without a hose (bong). Cannabis connoisseurs appreciate special varieties that come from special growing areas and climatic regions. They are known by names such as "Black Afghan", "Red Lebanese" or "Blonde Moroccan".

Another way to consume is to inhale hashish oil or cannabis-containing liquids through special smoking devices or e-cigarettes. In addition, hashish can also be eaten in the form of ash cookies or hashish cake and absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract.

The effect occurs within a few minutes when smoking, somewhat delayed when consumed, after about half an hour.

Risks and side effects from cannabis use

Side effects can occur both with single use and regular use of cannabis. Frequently occur:

Interactions often occur in connection with alcohol, psychotic disorders and cardiovascular problems can occur. Driving ability can also be restricted, which is why you should leave your car for at least 12 hours after consuming cannabis.

Consequences with high dosage or continuous use:

Mainly adolescents affected by cannabis psychosis

Like any other psychoactive substance, the drug can trigger psychosis, especially in people with a predisposition to do so. The active ingredients in cannabis intervene in the body's dopamine balance, which can lead to a psychotic boost even with one high-dose use.

In the case of habitual stoners of many years, which started at a particularly young age, there is also the danger of a slowly developing psychosis or schizophrenia. Affected people should seek help from an experienced psychotherapist or psychiatrist as soon as possible.

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Amotivational syndrome: stunted by smoking?

The amotivational syndrome is often described in connection with long-term cannabis use: a symptom complex of listlessness, indifference, lack of willingness to work and general disinterest in the environment. However, clinical studies have so far not been able to confirm that this lack of drive is due to excessive cannabis use and not to other causes, such as social problems.

Does stoning make you stupid?

A reduced intelligence performance due to long-term, intensive cannabis abuse is discussed again and again, but has never been proven in previous studies. Cannabis has been shown to have a negative impact on attention, concentration and memory when used. However, these restrictions were no longer detectable in adults after one month of abstinence.

The situation is different if we start smoking in early adolescence. A New Zealand long-term study showed that people who had used cannabis regularly before the age of majority had an average intelligence ratio that was eight percentage points lower in adulthood and showed a loss of axonal nerve tracts.

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Legalize cannabis?

Possession, trading and cultivation of marijuana and hashish are illegal in Germany. The practical handling is somewhat different: possession of small quantities for personal use is not prosecuted.

A relaxation of the legislation has been discussed repeatedly for years. Since 2017, doctors have been able to prescribe cannabis to patients with severe pain and other serious illnesses on prescription. However, opponents warn that cannabis dangers are often underestimated and legalization could further increase the number of cannabis addicts.

Cannabis addiction: Detect and treat addiction

The physical dependence on cannabis can be assessed as low, even if a certain tolerance arises after long use and the dose is therefore often increased. The psychological addiction potential, however, is often underestimated by consumers. Above all, the long-term, intensive and high-dose use of cannabis and the beginning of consumption in adolescence can lead to addiction.

Characteristics of a cannabis addiction:

  • Smoking weed strains the relationship and friendships
  • Problems at school, at work, or at home arise from consumption
  • Increased tolerance to the drug: more and more must be consumed before the desired effect occurs
  • Unsuccessful attempts to reduce consumption or to stop it altogether
  • If the drug is not available, withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, sleep disorders and cravings occur. Doctors speak of the specific cannabis addiction syndrome.

Causes: How does cannabis addiction arise?

Not everyone who smokes a joint every now and then is at risk of becoming addicted to cannabis. Consumption becomes problematic when intoxication becomes a habit and serves as an everyday escape. In this regard, cannabis is very similar to alcohol: the path between moderate enjoyment and addiction is narrow. Typical reasons for excessive cannabis use in adolescents can be:

  • peer pressure
  • fear of failure
  • generalized fear of life
  • Alltagsflucht
  • school problems
  • family problems
  • boredom

Detection of cannabis via blood and urine tests

Recognizing addiction to cannabis as a drug is not always easy because addictions tend to be denied. Doctors and addiction officers use behavior monitoring to make a diagnosis. Discussions about the amount and amount of cannabis use are used as well as proof of cannabis use in the form of drug screening.

Cannabis can be detected by a urine test, blood test or a laboratory hair test. After a single use, cannabis is detectable in the blood for one to two days, in the urine up to 12 days. In the case of habitual smokers, the time of the urine detection is extended to up to six weeks. A hair analysis can show regular cannabis use for months.

Therapy for cannabis addiction

The first pillar in combating addiction is always withdrawal, accompanied by appropriate addiction therapy. Psychotherapeutic procedures form the basis for the treatment of cannabis addicts:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy is currently showing the best results.
  • Systemic family therapy has also proven to be helpful for adolescents.
  • Short therapies with motivational interviewing can already have a positive effect.
  • In the case of severe withdrawal syndrome and accompanying psychological disorder, inpatient treatment is recommended.

Those affected receive help at all drug advice centers: