Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit mind-altering drug in the world. It is classed as 'a minor hallucinogen with depressant qualities'. When smoked or eaten, it has mild mind-expanding, pain killing, and intoxicating effects.

The cannabis plant has been used for thousands of years as a herbal medication and intoxicant. Of the two main species, Cannabis Indica, is the strongest, and is used to make hash and stronger grasses, like skunk. Indica grows from 3 to 6 feet high with fat dark green leaves, purple-ish buds and a distinct stinky skunky smell.

Cannabis Sativa, also known as hemp, is traditionally used to make rope and fibres. The plants are very tall with thin light green leaves, reddish buds, and a sweet fruity smell. When smoked it creates more alert, cerebral high, over Indica's sleepy groggy effects. Many modern strains are crossbreeds of the two species.

The main active ingredient is delta-9-THC or just THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) for short.

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Cannabis comes in two main forms: marijuana (also known as grass), the dried leaves and female flower heads; and hashish, compressed blocks of resin extracted from the plant.

Marijuana normally contains between 1 and 5% THC by weight (1) although modern growing techniques have boosted this to 10-15%. Very strong.

Hashish is traditionally stronger (up to 26%) but on the street it is often adulterated, usually with paper pulp or caryophyllene, a consituent of cloves. (2) Most hash in the UK is of the weak, adulterated 'soapbar' variety.

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