PRODUCTS OF HEMP PLANT -
- Four drugs - bhang, ganja, charas & marijuana obtained from Cannabis indica and C. sativa of family Moraceae.
- Main alkaloid is tetrahydro cannebinol (THC) C21H30O2.
- Hemp drugs dilutes the pupil raise blood sugar level & increase frequency of urination, their use may lead to hallucination, drowsiness & continues coughing.
- They prove dangerous if taken with alcohol.
(a) Bhang -
- Obtained from the tops of wild floweing shoots of C. indica.
- It is taken orally as an ingredient of a drink or food.
(b) Ganja -
- It is solidified resinous extract of the flowers of hemp plant.
- It is smoked in cigarettes. It acts instantly.
(c) Charas -
- It is a pure resin obtained from mature leaves of selected varieties of C. sativa.
- Usually smoked with tobacco.
- May be chewed or drunk.
- It is called hashish in America.
- Liquid hashish called hashoid contain 30-40% of THC. (d) Marijuana -
- It interferes with short term memory, impairs thoughts & reasoning. It lowers level of sex hormones.
- It may cause psychosis, poisoning by cannabis preparation is called cannabism.
Note :- Marijuana is the least potent & charas is most potent.