!n! Hard brown sticky material, or herbal mixture, usually rolled into a cigarette & smoked. It can also be smoked in a pipe, brewed into a drink or put in food. Cannabis use is often a socially shared experience.
SHORT-TERM USE: Effects depend largely on amount used & on expectations & mood of user. Most common results are feeling of relaxation, also the user can become talkative, there may be a greater appreciation of sound & color & the judgement is distorted.
The use of cannabis impairs ability to drive or perform other skilled tasks where precision & alertness are essential. The effects generally start a few minutes after smoking. They may last up to 1hr with low doses & for several hours with high doses. There is no hangover of the type suffered with {alcohol}.
LONG-TERM USE: A person who inhales cannabis smoke over several years could develop similar disorders associated with cigarette smoking, such as {bronchitis} & {lung} {cancer} (see 'Substance Abuse - Smoking' section). Alcoholics can rapidly become dependant on cannabis & regular users often feel a psychological need for the drug's effects or may rely on it in social situations.
