The Different Forms of Marijuana

The Different Forms of Marijuana Addiction Drug Use Marijuana Print The Different Forms of Marijuana By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 05, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 07, 2020 Nastasic / Getty Images More in Addiction Drug Use Marijuana Cocaine Heroin Meth Ecstasy/MDMA Hallucinogens Opioids Prescription Medications Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery Marijuana is a product of the hemp plant (cannabis sativa) and appears as a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers. Stronger forms of marijuana include  sinsemilla (sin-seh-me-yah, a Spanish word), hashish (hash for short), and resins like hash oil, wax (similar to lip balm), and shatter (an amber colored solid), which contain high doses of the active ingredients. You may hear marijuana called by street names such as pot, herb, weed, grass, boom, Mary Jane, gangster, or chronic. There are more than 200 slang terms for marijuana. Other Forms of Marijuana With the advent of legalized marijuana for medical and recreational purposes in some states has come the development of other types of products that contain marijuana. Some people vaporize it with a vape pen, while still others smoke marijuana cigars, called blunts. There are edible marijuana products with marijuana or marijuana oils cooked into or infused into them. Marijuana oil is used to produce all kinds of edible products from cookies and cakes to gummy bears and chocolate bars. Marijuana oils can be added to all kinds of beverages, from sodas and energy drinks to teas and elixirs. Sprays,  and Tinctures There are also flavored marijuana sprays that can be sprayed directly under your tongue for a quick high, or sprayed on marijuana joints and blunts. Marijuana tincturesâ€"marijuana in a solution of alcoholâ€"can also be used under your tongue to produce a fast-action, intense high. We have come a long way from the day when the vast majority of raw marijuana was rolled into joints or stuffed into pipes. All Forms Are Mind-Altering All forms of marijuana are mind-altering. In other words, they change how your brain works by attaching to molecules on the brain and activating them, typically creating the effects of euphoria, relaxation, and a sharper perception of things like colors, smells, and sounds. For some people, the effects are unpleasant and may result in paranoia, fear, panic, or anxiety. All forms of marijuana also contain delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active chemical, as well as more than 500 other chemicals. Marijuanas effects on the user depend on the strength or potency of the THC it contains. The potency of marijuana has increased since the 1970s but has been about the same since the mid-1980s, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Marijuana Use Disorder Like any substance, using marijuana can lead to a marijuana use disorder, which may involve dependence or addiction. In fact, ?recent research shows that 30 percent of people who use marijuana may have some sort of marijuana use disorder. Dependence You feel withdrawal symptoms when not using, including irritability, feeling restless, craving marijuana, decreased appetite, trouble sleeping. Addiction You are unable to stop using marijuana, even if it interferes with your social, family, work or school, or financial life. If you think you may have a marijuana use disorder, its important to seek help from a healthcare provider. How Can You Get Help for Marijuana Addiction?