Quick info
Cannabis products are made from the hemp plant. The cannabis plant contains more than 560 constituents, 120 of which are cannabinoids. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN) and cannabigerol (CBG) are the best known cannabinoids with very different pharmacological effects. While THC is the substance mainly responsible for the psychoactive, intoxicating effect, CBD, CBN and CBG also have pharmacological effects, but they do not have an intoxicating effect. Depending on the cannabis variety, the ratios of cannabinoids may vary greatly. Based on the cannabinoid ratio in the plant, four types can be distinguished: I) THC-rich/CBD-poor, II) THC and CBD about equal, III) CBD-rich/THC-poor, IV) CBG-rich. Since the effects of cannabinoids differ greatly and also influence each other's effects, depending on the type of cannabis used, the effects can vary greatly.
In addition to the dosage and the active ingredient ratios of the cannabis product consumed, the effect also depends strongly on the basic mood (set) of the consuming person, the situation and the environment (setting), the form of consumption (oral, inhalative) and whether the consuming person already has experience with the effects. In general, cannabis has a relaxing to euphoric effect, appetite stimulating, feelings and sensory impressions are intensified, serenity and/or groundless cheerfulness set in. At high doses, cannabis can have a hallucinogenic effect. In general, concentration and memory are temporarily impaired during intoxication.
Effect onset
Smoked within a few minutes, eaten only after 0.5-2 hrs.
Duration of action
Smoked 1-2 hrs., eaten 8-14 hrs. (!)
Aftereffects
Up to several hours (depending on dose, form of consumption, habituation and constitution). Caution: THC and its metabolites (as well as other cannabinoids) can be detected in blood and urine for a long time. In the case of frequent use, relevant THC concentrations leading to driving incapacity may still be detectable in the blood even after a long period of use. High THC-COOH concentrations (second metabolite of THC) allow conclusions to be drawn about cannabis habituation (regular and frequent use).
Light (3-5 mg THC): from 23 mg flowers, from 21 mg hashish.
Medium (10-20 mg THC): from 75 mg flowers, from 70 mg hashish.
Strong (20 mg and more THC): from 150 mg flowers, from 140 mg hashish
The main active ingredient content and the ratio of THC to CBD differ greatly depending on the product. Therefore, the dosage is difficult to determine. Hashish contains on average more THC and mostly CBD. Outdoor weed varieties contain less THC and less CBD, while indoor weed varieties contain mainly THC and rarely CBD.
Forms of consumption:
Cannabis products (especially hashish and marijuana) are mostly mixed with tobacco and smoked (joints, hookah, shilom/bong etc.), less frequently drunk (as tea, tincture) or eaten (so-called edibles: pastries (space cakes and cookies), candies, gummy bears, fruit gums, yogurt, lassi, thandai etc.). Cannabis products can also be vaporized in vaporizers. Or consumed as e-liquids with e-cigarettes. A special form of vaporizing is dabbing3, which was developed for the use of concentrates.
Manifestations:
Marijuana(grass) consists of the dried flowers of the female plant. Hashish(shit, resin) is a concentrate obtained by mechanically rubbing and pressing the glandular hairs into a resinous mass. Rosin hash concentrate is a cannabis resin produced by the action of pressure and heat. In addition, there are also various cannabis extracts, which are often significantly more potent (active ingredient contents with up to 90% are possible), than marijuana or hashish. Extracts produced using solvents (butane, or supercriticalCO2, alcohol) include Budder, Wax (both buttery soft), Crumble (crumbly consistency), Shatter or Honeycomb (glassy) and Oil. In addition to the above names, extracts produced with butane are also referred to as butane has h or butane hash oil(BHO).
The experience of time (mostly slowed down) and the sense of space (misjudgement of distances and speeds) changes, there may be reduced responsiveness and misjudgement of a given situation. In addition, irritability and lack of drive can occur, as well as overestimation of one's own abilities and a reduced ability to criticize, up to and including behavior that is inappropriate for the situation. In general, concentration and memory are temporarily impaired during intoxication.
Panic and anxiety may also occur and there is a risk of developing psychosis and dependence. Furthermore, reddening of the eyes, decreased reaction of the pupils to light stimuli (risk of glare from headlights, decreased sharp vision), dry mouth, nausea and vomiting, excessive feeling of hunger, fatigue, tremor, dizziness, unsteadiness of gait, as well as increase in heart rate and pulse rate (poses health risks in existing pre-existing conditions of the cardiovascular system) may occur. Especially with concentrates there is a risk of overdose and occurrence of undesirable effects. High doses can therefore cause circulatory problems up to circulatory collapse, unpleasant intensification of feelings as well as paranoia and depressive moods. The risk of psychosis being triggered by cannabis use is also increased in cannabis products with an unbalanced THC-CBD ratio (high THC and low CBD).
Die Fahrfähigkeit kann durch die vielfältigen Wirkungen und Nebenwirkungen negativ beeinträchtigt sein. Neben den Wirkungen und Nebenwirkungen kann auch die Überschreitung des gesetzlich verankerten Grenzwerts, ab dem eine Fahrfähigkeit juristisch nicht mehr gegeben ist, zur Fahrunfähigkeit führen. Auch bei Konsum von in der Schweiz legalen THC armen CBD-Hanf (THC < 1 %) kann der gesetzlich verankerte THC-Grenzwert im Blut überschritten werden. In e-Liquids sind zudem Trägerstoffe (Glycerin, Propylenglykol) sowie ggf. nicht aus der Cannabispflanze stammende Duft- und Aromastoffe (z. B. Nicotin) enthalten, zu deren Toxizität bei inhalativer Aufnahme nichts bekannt ist.
Long-term risks:
If you use frequently and regularly, especially high-dose concentrates, there is a risk of dependence (especially with psychological, but also mild physical symptoms). With sudden abstinence, sweating, hot and cold shivers, loss of appetite and difficulty falling asleep, and irritability are possible. With chronic consumption, there is a risk of loss of reality; impairment of short-term memory and motivational ability is also possible. In the case of smoking, the susceptibility to respiratory problems (bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia, etc.) increases due to the combustion processes in the case of chronic consumption. Smoking in combination with tobacco also poses the risk of nicotine dependence and risks associated with tobacco smoking (laryngeal and lung cancer). There is currently insufficient knowledge about the long-term risks of consuming e-liquids and no conclusive assessment can be made.
Known extenders in cannabis include Brix (liquid mixture of plastic, sugar and hormones), sand, talc/soapstone, sugar, hairspray, glass particles, spices, lead and phospor/potassium fertilizer. The goal of these non-psychoactive extenders is to add weight or visually enhance the cannabis. Burning and inhaling these substances can cause respiratory problems, lung damage, coughing, and sore throats. Many of these extenders are visually detectable, e.g. via residues in the grip (sand, talc), or an altered smell/taste (brix, sugar) or consistency (hairspray).
Psychoactive extenders include synthetic and semi-synthetic cannabinoids - these are sprayed on legally produced CBD cannabis to sell it profitably as THC-containing cannabis. Unlike other extenders such as Brix or sand, synthetic cannabinoids are not recognizable to consumers.
In the best case, one always has one's cannabis products analyzed in a drug checking before consumption. If no drug checking offer can be used, there is the possibility to use a CBD quick test at home. This is not a substitute for a time-consuming and accurate analysis, as is the case with drug checking, but it does allow for an initial assessment. For this purpose, we have prepared a fact sheet with the most important information.
The goal of this fact sheet is to reduce the risk for users of illicit cannabis containing THC to inadvertently use synthetic or semisynthetic cannabinoids.
LSD analogues are substances that are chemically very similar to LSD and can have comparable effects. Some of them have been known for a long time (e.g. ALD52, ETH-LAD, AL-LAD, PRO-LAD etc.) and have been studied pharmacologically as well as psychopharmacologically, at least in part. Others are newer "creations" (e.g. the derivatives 1P-LSD,1B-LSD, 1cP-LSD, 1V-LSDetc.), for which only few or no data are available. Certain LSD analogues can (still) be legally produced, traded and consumed in some countries, which is the main reason for their distribution.
Most LSD analogues are naturally different from LSD in their effect and/or potency (e.g. ETH-LAD, AL-LAD, LSZ etc.). In contrast, the so-called 1-acylated LSD compounds (e.g. 1P-LSD, 1V-LSD, 1B-LSD, ALD-52, etc.) are presumed, on the basis of pharmacological studies, to convert into LSD in the body (they function as so-called prodrugs) and thus have a comparable psychoactive effect to LSD.
In the case of prodrugs of LSD and LSD analogues, it has not been conclusively clarified whether, in addition to their psychoactive effect, they can produce other pharmacological effects. How potent these prodrugs are compared to the resulting substance (e.g., 1P-LSD to LSD), and to what extent a delay in onset of action occurs in each case, may be substance-dependent and cannot be generalized. Therefore, it is important to approach the dose/effect carefully to avoid overdoses.
If you or someone else needs urgent help after taking drugs or alcohol, call an ambulance on 144. Tell the emergency responders everything you know.
It could save lives.