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Cannabis

What is cannabis?

Cannabis is a plant found wild in most parts of the world and is easily cultivated in temperate climates such as the UK's. Some names are based on country of origin such as Afghan, Colombian, homegrown, Lebanese, Moroccan, Pakistani etc. Cannabis comes from Cannabis sativa, a bushy plant that grows in many parts of the world and is also cultivated in the UK. The main active ingredients in cannabis are the tetrahydrocannabinols (THC). These are the chemicals that cause the effect on the brain.

Different forms of cannabis come from different parts of the plant and have different strengths. 'Hashish' or 'hash' is the commonest form found in the UK. It is resin scraped or rubbed from the dried plant and then pressed into brown/black blocks. It is mostly imported from Morocco, Pakistan, the Lebanon and Afghanistan (or Nepal as below).
Herbal cannabis is made from the chopped, dried leaves of the plant. It is also known as 'grass' , 'bush' and 'ganga' and in America as 'marijuana' and is imported from Africa, South America, Thailand and the West Indies. Some is 'homegrown' and cultivated in this country, sometimes on a large scale to sell but usually by individuals in their homes or greenhouses for their own use. Herbal cannabis is usually not as strong as the resin form. However, some particularly strong herbal forms such as 'sinsemilla' and 'skunk' have been cultivated in Holland and this country.

Cannabis oil is the least common form of cannabis found in the UK It is made by percolating a solvent through the resin.
cannabis is usually smoked rolled into a cigarette or joint, often with tobacco. The herbal form is sometimes made into a cigarette without using tobacco. Cannabis is also sometimes smoked in a pipe, brewed into a tea or cooked into cakes.
Hemp is the fibre of the cannabis plant. For centuries to the present day it has been used to make all sorts of products including rope, mats, clothing, cooking oil, fuel, fishing nets, cosmetics, herbal remedies, paints and varnishes.

Please find bellow steps of preparing the 'Red Lebanese hash':Raw cannabis plant stored for few months to dry, then is firstly grated down, and further grating and sieving reduce it to powder, which is pressed into blocks or chunks
Unfortunately, the pictures has been blocked by the website (dubai forums)

Effects of cannabis:

Smoking cannabis causes a number of physical effects including increased pulse rate, decreased blood pressure, bloodshot eyes, increased appetite and occasional dizziness. Effects start within a few minutes and may last several hours depending on how much is taken. When eaten the effects take longer to start but may last longer. Eating cannabis may mean a large dose is taken in one go making it difficult to avoid any unpleasant reactions.

Cannabis has a mild sedative effect but the experience can vary greatly depending on the users mood and what they expect to happen. Many people find that when they first use cannabis nothing much happens. Generally cannabis makes people relax. They may become giggly and very talkative or alternatively quieter and subdued. Users often report that they become more aware of music and colours and that time seems to stand still.

Whilst under the influence of cannabis short term memory (such as recall of what has just happened or been thought about) may be affected but this stops once the effects of cannabis wear off. Co-ordination can be affected meaning accidents may be more likely especially if people drive or operate machinery whilst stoned.
Loss of inhibitions may mean people are more likely to get into sexual situations they later regret and that they are less likely to practice safer sex and use condoms.

Cannabis can be harmful to physical health. It can increase heart rate, which may be dangerous to those with coronary artery disease or high blood pressure. Smoking cannabis can worsen asthma and can cause at least as much damage to the lungs as smoking cigarettes. Severe cases of lung damage have been reported in young, very heavy users.
Some people find that cannabis makes them very anxious, panicky and paranoid (feeling everyone is out to get them). This can happen with inexperienced users or if people are already anxious or consume strong varieties or high doses of cannabis. Heavy use by people who already have mental health problems may lead to very distressing experiences.

Does cannabis cause dependence?

There is no physical dependence associated with cannabis use. Regular users who stop smoking do not suffer withdrawal symptoms in the same way as with drugs like heroin. Even so regular users can become psychologically dependent and come to rely on using cannabis to get them through the day. Cannabis dependent users who stop can experience psychological craving, decreased appetite, lethargy, mood changes and insomnia. It is not unknown for some people to use cannabis so frequently that they are almost constantly stoned.

Relationship between cannabis use and mental health:

There is clear evidence that cannabis use may worsen mental health problems and lead to relapse in some people, but over the past few years there has been growing concern as to whether cannabis may cause psychotic illnesses, including schizophrenia. There have been comments in the media and elsewhere suggesting that "skunk" (a stronger form of cannabis) maybe responsible for episodes of 'cannabis psychosis'.

Someone who uses cannabis excessively may appear apathetic, lack energy and motivation and perform poorly at their work or education. This state may carry on for weeks after stopping use of the drug. However, such a condition seems rare and is similar to what would be expected from someone who drinks too much or regularly uses tranquillisers.
It has also been claimed that cannabis use leads to use of drugs like heroin and cocaine. Most heroin and cocaine users have used cannabis but the vast majority of people who have used cannabis have never used heroin or cocaine. In other words cannabis use does not automatically lead to use of other drugs.

Medical use of cannabis:

Cannabis has a very long history as a folk remedy and for medical use. There is considerable research and anecdotal evidence that cannabis has therapeutic value for complaints such as asthma, glaucoma, treating mild to severe pain and muscle spasms, muscular spasticity, multiple schlerosis, anorexia, mood disorders, and convulsive disorders. The recent identification of anandamide, a cannabinoid receptor in the brain and body, has also led to speculation that cannabis and some cannabinoids may be effective as treatment for a number of psychological or physical disorders.

Treatment options:

Includes, counselling, withdrawal (detoxification) and symptomatic treatment. Most programmes adopt strategies that have an overall aim of reducing the harms and risks related to the person's drug use.

Source of information: please go to the first Arabic (and English) website specialised in addiction:
idmanhelp com

All questions are welcomed. All names and questions will be treated with total confidentiality. This is a non-profitable website and service.

Dr Ala Fadhil

I don't think Dr Dre or snoop dogg would be interested to know all this before lighting up a phatty

I smoked canabis for years - loved it - sat my exams on it - loved it -couldn't get enough of it. But I am an extremist (not the jihadist kind) and don't do anything by halves. Gave up when I felt that it was affecting me along with other nasty habbits. Now I am sqeaky clean and I love that too.

er you do realise that it's illegal in the UAE and carries an instant prison sentence of 4 years follwoed by deportation. But you know go right ahead and admit to it on an open forum that the authorities look at - well done!

All i know is that Smoking weeds has ruined my uncle's life and i'm not following his suit!

I never knew cannabis oil was indeed wonderful and very effective in
treating cancer’ if not for the government and their so called rules in
regulating cannabis my Dad would have still been alive. thanks to the
newly policy for legalizing cannabis in my state i would have still lost
my son to kidney cancer, i was really touched and surprised when i
watch lots of documentary on how cannabis oil had helped lot of people
whom their family members never thought they could make it
after undergoing several ”Chemo” from the dept of my heart i must say a
word of appreciation to Mr. Rick Simpson for the timely intervention in
the life of my son suffering from Kidney Cancer. as i am writing this
testimony on this Blog my Son is so strong and healthy in spite he
hasn’t completed the total Dosage’ for your cannabis and medical
consultation try and get in touched with him through his email:
( ricksimpsonoil02@gmail.com ) so he can enlightened you more.

--- Dec 27, 2014 ---

I never knew cannabis oil was indeed wonderful and very effective in
treating cancer’ if not for the government and their so called rules in
regulating cannabis my Dad would have still been alive. thanks to the
newly policy for legalizing cannabis in my state i would have still lost
my son to kidney cancer, i was really touched and surprised when i
watch lots of documentary on how cannabis oil had helped lot of people
whom their family members never thought they could make it
after undergoing several ”Chemo” from the dept of my heart i must say a
word of appreciation to Mr. Rick Simpson for the timely intervention in
the life of my son suffering from Kidney Cancer. as i am writing this
testimony on this Blog my Son is so strong and healthy in spite he
hasn’t completed the total Dosage’ for your cannabis and medical
consultation try and get in touched with him through his email:
( ricksimpsonoil02@gmail.com ) so he can enlightened you more.

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amadawilliams ,

Great article.You have provided very useful information for me as my mum is suffering by lough Cancer for the last 3 months. Would you please guide me how can i collect Cannabis Oil .Is it available in UAE?