Cannabis (often called weed, marijuana, pot, etc.) comes from the cannabis plant. It contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which affects brain function, perception, and mood when consumed.

Some studies suggest that cannabis use is likely to come before the use of other drugs, and the development of addiction to other substances. However, the majority of people who use cannabis do not go on to use harder drugs. Starting to use cannabis at a younger age increases the risk of problem drug use; those who begin using cannabis before age 18 are 4-7 times more likely than adults to develop problem use.

In 2016, most California high school students reported that they were not using cannabis.

THC, one of the main compounds in cannabis, acts on cannabinoid receptors, which are found throughout the body but mostly in the brain. These brain areas are involved in memory, concentration, perception, and movement. THC interferes with the normal functioning of these brain areas.

Cannabis is most commonly smoked like a cigarette or inhaled through a vaporizer, but it can also be made into “edibles” like brownies or candies, or brewed like a tea. Edibles can have very high levels of THC and take up to 90 minutes before the effects are felt, making it difficult to judge how much to consume and increasing the chance of overdose.

Dabs are concentrated doses of cannabis that are made by extracting the psychoactive components (ex: THC) using a solvent. This produces a sticky oil (sometimes called wax, shatter, budder, and butane hash oil). This substance is then heated on a hot surface, usually a nail, and then inhaled through a “dab rig.” Cannabis extracts often test between 60-90% THC, which means it doesn’t take much to overdose. Because this is a relatively new practice, long-term effects of dabbing are not well-known. Until research thoroughly examines the long-term risks of dabbed extracts it’s not possible to know what dangers are associated with prolonged use.

THC and CBD are both compounds found in cannabis. Consuming THC causes the "high" feeling, while CBD does not. CBD is also used as a medical treatment for many conditions.

While cannabis does not have the same habit-forming chemicals found in other drugs, studies have found that some people are more susceptible to addiction and may become dependent on cannabis.

The answer varies depending on a variety of factors: the length of a high depends on the amount consumed, the mode of consumption (how the cannabis was consumed), the weight of the consumer, their level of tolerance, etc.