Got cannabis questions?

We've found the most asked questions about cannabis. Here's the answers. 

What is cannabis? 

Cannabis is a drug that comes from the plant of the same name. It usually comes as dried plant matter that is smoked or vaped, but can also come as oil or other extracts. It can also be made into food (edibles).  

It contains the chemical THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) which works by binding to the cannabinoid receptors in the brain and body. It also contains CBD (cannabidiol) which does not make you feel high, but can relieve pain. Cannabis that contains THC can make you feel relaxed, giggly, hungry, slow down your speech and thinking or make you feel paranoid.  

How long does cannabis stay in your system? 

The effects of cannabis typically last several hours if smoked, but can last significantly longer if it is eaten. However, traces of the drug in your body can be detected via testing for much longer.  
 
How long depends on how much you take, how often you take it, how you take it (e.g. smoking or eating) and the type of test. It can also depend on how often you use cannabis, your individual body and how much THC is in the cannabis.  

A rough guide is: 

Why does cannabis make you hungry? 

Cannabis makes you hungry because THC binds to certain receptors in your brain. Once activated, these receptors make you feel hungry – even when you’re full. THC enhances food smell and taste, which can make your favourite foods irresistible. It also stimulates the release of ghrelin – a hormone which makes you hungry.  

How long do the effects of cannabis last?  

If you smoke or vape cannabis the effects kick in within 2-10 minutes and can last for 2-5 hours. However, if you take cannabis orally (in an oil or food) it can 30-60 minutes or longer to kick in, with the effects lasting 4-10 hours. This is usually followed by a comedown or afterglow period which can last another 1-2 hours if smoked or vaped or up to 12 hours if taken orally. This may include lingering relaxation, drowsiness, mild changes in perception, or feeling a bit foggy or unmotivated. 
 

Can cannabis make you lose weight?  

Smoking cannabis on its own likely won’t make you lose weight. Since it increases your appetite, some studies show it can cause weight gain.  

However, there have been studies that show a relationship between cannabis use and lower rates of obesity. Many individual factors impact weight loss or gain. 

Can cannabis help with pain? 

Current research suggests that cannabis can help to manage pain for some conditions. However, there is still more research that needs to be done. If you’re interested in exploring the use of cannabis for pain, you can speak to a doctor at your nearest cannabis clinic.
 

Can cannabis help with anxiety? 

Research suggests that CBD could help provide short-term relief from anxiety, but it’s important to be aware that THC can make anxiety worse in some people. Most cannabis contains both CBD and THC. Using cannabis often can also lead to increased anxiety over time – particularly for people with mental health conditions. As with many drugs and medicines, this may be different for your own body and brain. 

How do I know if my weed is laced? 

In New Zealand it is very rare that cannabis is laced with another drug. However, a sign that it could be laced is that it smells like chemicals, or the effects are very different to what you commonly experience from cannabis. If you do believe that your weed is laced, you can take it to a drug checking clinic to get it tested.  

Keep in mind that many things can affect how you feel when you smoke cannabis. An unusual experience could be due to changes in your life (e.g. your mental health) that change how you react to cannabis. 
 

How to quit cannabis 

As with any drug, you can develop an addiction to cannabis. For people wanting to quit using cannabis, a good place to start is to set a clear goal and make a plan to reduce your cannabis use.  

Think about your personal reasons for wanting to quit, build a support system around you and learn strategies to cope with cravings.  

It can be really helpful to talk to people you trust and get support. This could be a health professional like a counsellor or addictions service, or a friend or whānau member who won’t judge you. 

We’ve got more information on how to quit here. 

We also have a book you can order for free that can help you map out a plan to cut down or quit using cannabis.  

We’ve also broken down the different types of support that are out there. Or to look for services in your area that you can call right away, check out Health Point.