Information on Cannabis Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug and is a drug that produces euphoria and reduces anxiety. The number of cannabis smokers is on the increase. In 1999-2001, of 19-29% male and 18-25% 14-15 year olds had tried cannabis. It is estimated that 3.2 million people in Britain smoke cannabis.
1 in 10 cannabis users by age 15 developed schizophrenic symptoms by age 26 compared with 3% of the rest of this age group. Cannabis lowers motivated, sometimes leading to depression and employment and social functioning difficulties. As the active chemicals within cannabis are absorbed and stored by the body fat of the user (lipophilic properties), it takes longer to eliminate the drug compounds than other recreational drugs. The THC molecule, and related compounds, are usually detectable in drug tests for up to approximately one month after using cannabis. The active ingredient in cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The effect of cannabis depends not only on its composition, dosage and mode of consumption, but also on the mood of the individual, on the individual's expectations, and on the atmosphere and setting. These factors explain why people experience different effects from cannabis. When cannabis is smoked, the active components are absorbed very rapidly via the respiratory tract and lungs, with an onset of action just a few minutes later. The effect peaks at fifteen minutes, subsides gradually after thirty to sixty minutes, and is largely finished after two to three hours. The proportion of substance active in the body depends greatly on the smoker's technique. The active substances are absorbed by the body much more slowly when cannabis is eaten or drunk, and less of them reach the bloodstream. This is because of poorer absorption through the digestive system than in the lungs, and breakdown in the liver. In contrast to absorption through the lungs, in which the highest blood concentrations of THC may be achieved while the product is being smoked, when cannabis is eaten the blood concentration increases constantly over a period of four to six hours and a state of intoxication is reached later. | 
