Marijuana refers to the dried flowers, seeds, and leaves of the Indian hemp plant. It is known by several street names, including astro turf, bhang, dagga, dope, ganja, grass, hemp, homegrown, J, Mary Jane, pot, reefer, roach, Texas tea, and weed.
Hashish is a related drug made from the resins of the Indian hemp plant. Often referred to as chocolate, hash, or shit, it is typically six times stronger than marijuana.
The term "cannabis" is used to describe any drugs derived from the Indian hemp plant, including marijuana and hashish.
The chemical responsible for the effects of cannabis is called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). The amount of THC can vary significantly between different batches of marijuana, but in recent years, the concentration of THC has generally increased.
Marijuana is most commonly smoked as a cigarette (joint), but it can also be smoked in a pipe. Less frequently, it is mixed with food or brewed as tea. Some users may hollow out cigars, replace the tobacco with marijuana, and smoke it as a "blunt." Joints and blunts are sometimes laced with other, more potent drugs, such as crack cocaine or PCP (phencyclidine, a powerful hallucinogen).
Symptoms of Marijuana Addiction
The symptoms of marijuana addiction are similar to those of addiction to other substances. Common signs include:
Increased tolerance
Continued use despite negative impacts on other areas of life (such as work, school, or relationships)
Withdrawal symptoms when not using
Marijuana abuse or dependence is commonly treated on an outpatient basis. Over the years, the number of people seeking treatment for marijuana addiction has risen, to the point where marijuana dependence is almost as prevalent as dependence on other illegal drugs, such as cocaine or heroin.