All Muslims know that alcohol is Haram (forbidden). Even if they do actually drink themselves, they know they are committing a sin. But the same is not always true of cannabis. "Man made beer, God made weed. I know who I trust," is what they might say. "It doesn't have any bad side-effects, it helps me relax and when I'm smoking I think really deeply about things." Is there any truth to these statements? Is weed really a harmless drug? Shouldn't the government legalise it? Didn't they already make it legal a couple of years ago? Is cannabis even forbidden in Islam?
There are still a lot of unanswered questions about weed, but more and more research is being carried out. And a lot of it points to a direct link between smoking draw and certain mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia. Surely it is important to find out exactly what you are putting into yourself and what effects weed has on your mind and body.
What Is ‘The High’?
Some people may feel chilled out, relaxed and happy, while others have one puff and feel sick. Others get the giggles and may become more talkative (usually talking complete rubbish). You can get 'the munchies' which means that you eat two pizzas and a packet of biscuits in one sitting. It can also make you have heightened senses, meaning that everything can feel like it’s in ssslllooooowwwww motion, which means scoring a good goal on Pro-Evo becomes next to impossible.
But What Causes ‘The High’?
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the active ingredient in cannabis. THC interferes with how your brain works. You feel 'stoned' because it affects the neurotransmitters in the brain. The part of your brain which makes you worry about things stops working for a bit, while the part of your brain which finds 'You've Been Framed' funny starts to work in overtime. But in the long run the neurotransmitters become damaged or stop working altogether. This same damage is also seen in patients with Alzheimer's, so if you smoke too much you'll end up forgetting everyone's name like a little old lady. NOT cool.
Depending on what you’re smoking, the THC content can be different:
- In resin (hash) it’s about 2-7% THC, and dealers have been known to add other rubbish like lighter fluid to make it have a stronger effect, or bits of mud to make the block look bigger.
- Skunk is about 15-30% THC, and the stronger it is then the more tiny crystals will be in there. But again, those kind, friendly dealers have found a way of making it look more potent that it really is. Ground up glass (yes, from empty beer bottles) can be added to the buds to make them look like there are more crystals. The problem with this is when you inhale it, it can mash up your throat and lungs. Ouch.
- Cannabis oil is quite rare, and much stronger - about 70% THC. Because of this it is a Class A drug and if you are caught with it the police will deal with you the same as if you had heroin, cocaine etc.
What Damage Does Getting High Do?
- First of all, you can get paranoid. I mean hiding-behind-some-bins-because-there-is-a-helicopter-in-the-sky type paranoid.
- It can make you dizzy and uncoordinated, which is why driving while stoned is just as illegal as drink-driving.
- Some people think cannabis is harmless just because it’s a plant – but it isn’t harmless. Cannabis, like tobacco, has lots of chemical 'nasties', which can cause lung disease and cancer with long-term or heavy use, especially as it is often mixed with tobacco.
- It can make asthma worse and cause bronchitis.
- Cannabis is risky for anyone with a heart problem as it increases the heart rate and can affect blood pressure.
- There’s also increasing evidence of a link between cannabis and mental health problems such as schizophrenia. If you are susceptible to developing mental health problems or depression, then taking this drug is not a good idea. The only problem is, you have no idea how likely you are to get something like schizophrenia until it’s too late. Yes, I'm talking to both of you.
- If you smoke for quite a while you start to loose motivation and can become lazy. This means that going to the gym becomes out of the question. Plus, with all the munchies you'll be getting, your belly will start to poke out. If you’re not married already, then you can safely say that the cousin you had your eye on has become out-of-your league.
- If you are already married, then there is something else which you should also bear in mind: cannabis greatly lowers a man's sperm count and can harm a woman's ovulation.
But I Don't Smoke Very Much. I Could Stop Any Time!
One useful way of judging whether you or someone else has a problem with cannabis use is to answer these questions. Be honest with yourself!
- Are you frequently thinking about and wanting to get stoned?
- Do you find it difficult to control how much you use?
- Do you feel weird and have cravings when you've not had any weed? And do you smoke more to get rid of the cravings?
- Do you find that you're smoking more than you used to just to get the same effect?
- Do you find that you're having less time and interest in things that you once really liked such as football, gym, and other hobbies and interests and would rather just have a spliff instead?
- Would you rather be smoking cannabis than spending time with friends or family?
- Do you still smoke cannabis even though you've been told that it could be bad for you?
If you ticked 3 or more and have felt like this for at least a month or repeatedly over a 12 month period, then your drug use is classed as dependant according to the World Health Organisation. [ICD-10, World Health Organization, 1992]
Some people might find the results of the above questions quite startling and be surprised to find themselves labelled as dependent cannabis users. Judging whether you have issues with cannabis is really about much more than just how much and how often.
The Law
Cannabis is illegal; it's a Class C drug (soon to be class B again). If you’re caught with cannabis the police will always take action.
Possession:
If you’re caught with even a small amount of cannabis, you can be arrested.
Usually, you’ll get a warning and the police will confiscate the drug and if you’re under 18, your parent or guardian will also be contacted.
If you continue to break the law, you can end up with a criminal record, which could affect your chances of getting a job. It could also affect whether you can go on holiday to some countries.
The maximum penalty for possession is two years in prison plus an unlimited fine.
Supply:
Dealing is a very serious offence. In the eyes of the law, this includes giving drugs to friends.
People who grow cannabis in their homes or carry large amounts on them also risk being charged with intent to supply.
The maximum penalty for supply is 14 years in prison plus an unlimited fine.
Did You Know?
'Drug driving' is treated the same as drink driving. You could go to prison, get a heavy fine or be disqualified.
Allowing people to take cannabis in your house or any other premises is illegal. If the police catch someone smoking cannabis in a club they can prosecute the landlord, club owner or person holding the party.
Using cannabis to relieve pain is also an offence. Possession is illegal whatever you’re using it for.
Islam Is Clear On Drugs!
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) succinctly said: "Every intoxicant is Khamr, and every Khamr is Haram." [Reported by Muslim.]
`Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) declared from the pulpit of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that: "Khamr is that which befogs the mind." [Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.]
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Of that which intoxicates in a large amount, a small amount is Haram." (Reported by Ahmad Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi.)
And again: "If a bucketful intoxicates, a sip of it is haram." [Reported by Ahmad, Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi.]
This should leave no doubt in anyone’s mind that taking drugs is Haram. No ifs. No buts. It's Haram just like alcohol!
Want To Try And Stop Smoking Weed?
If you want to stop using Cannabis or cut down, what you need to believe is that it is doable. You can do it on your own or there are agencies out there that can help you to do it. If you want to go solo, try these tips to see if they help:
Write down the pros and cons of smoking.
Write down the pros and cons for quitting/changing.
Here Are Some Active Steps To Get You Going:
- Set yourself a date to stop and then stick to it.
- Ask a friend who you trust to support you with your decision and to help keep you motivated.
- Write a list of what you will do instead of smoking.
- Identify your high-risk situations.
- Avoid people who smoke, places where you smoke and situations which lead you to smoke.
- Learn to deal with your cravings. Most cravings are limited and will pass; ‘ride them out’.
- Change the way you think about weed, you DON’T need it. You need food, water and air.
- Remind yourself of your successes to date e.g. it’s been three days and every day is a little easier, my chest is starting to feel better, my family is pleased etc.
- Have a list of emergency numbers and call them if you need some support.
- Most importantly: Ask Allah (swt) sincerely to help you. Ask for His forgiveness and promise Him (and yourself) that you won't start smoking again. Seek protection from the temptations of Shaitan and from the temptations within your own soul.
If you honestly want to stop smoking, then you will be able to. I did.
Useful Help Lines And Organisations:
FRANK
Freephone: 0800 77 66 00 (24 hours a day)
Email: frank@talktofrank.com
Muslim Youth Helpline
Freephone: 0808 808 2008 (Mon-Fri 6pm-12am, Sat-Sun 12pm-12am)
Email: help@myh.org.uk
Connexions Direct
Freephone: 080 800 13 2 19 (7 days a week 8am to 2am)
Sakinah (Muslim Counselling Service)
Tel: 0870 005 3084 / 0791 991 1920
Email: support@sakinah.org.uk
UPDATE:
Cannabis users face new penalties when the drug is upgraded to class B from January next year, the home secretary said today.
Jacqui Smith said that those caught with cannabis for a second time would be fined £80 and after three strikes would be arrested.
The drug was downgraded to class C in 2004, but fears over the increased use of stronger "skunk" strains among young people prompted a policy review and U-turn.
Smith said she was "extremely concerned" about skunk, and its impact on mental health, especially if young people started to use it at an early age or "binge smoke".
...
The process for changing the classification of the drug requires votes in both Houses of Parliament. If both votes pass, the new rules will come into force on January 26.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/oct/13/drugspolicy-drugsandalcohol
Comments
19 August 2007
3 weeks 2 days
Striking article, very relevent to today. Just one question, I thought posessing or smoking weed is legal just supplying is illegal, hasn't it been like that since the declassifying of cannibis?
I'm in no way encouraging anyone to smoke weed or any sort of drug. I don't think it's brave or clever, I think it's reckless and dangerous.
Chin up, mate! Life's too short.
31 March 2008
7 hours 3 min
Cannabis 'less harmful than drink'
Cannabis use is less harmful than drinking or smoking cigarettes and should be legalised, according to a new report.
The Beckley Foundation's Global Cannabis Commission says banning the drug has backfired and calls for a "serious rethink" of drugs policy.
The ban has had little or no impact on supply and has turned users in to criminals, they say.
"Although cannabis can have a negative impact on health, including mental health, in terms of relative harms it is considerably less harmful than alcohol or tobacco," they write.
"Historically there have only been two deaths worldwide attributed to cannabis, whereas alcohol and tobacco together are responsible for an estimated 150,000 deaths per annum in the UK alone.
"Many of the harms associated with cannabis use are the result of prohibition itself, particularly the social harms arising from arrest and imprisonment," the authors conclude.
Legalising cannabis would allow it to be regulated, and make it easier to stop children becoming users. They write: "It is only through a regulated market that we can better protect young people from the ever more potent forms of dope, known as 'skunk'."
Cannabis was downgraded to class C in 2004, making police unlikely to arrest people carrying small amounts.
But Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has pledged to reclassifying the drug to class B to avoid "risking the future health of young people".
Mental health experts have warned stronger, more damaging, strains of dope have become more widespread in recent years. Four fifths of cannabis seized by police is skunk.
http://news.uk.msn.com/Article.aspx?cp-documentid=9882642
Sky's the limit. True or false?
19 August 2007
3 weeks 2 days
Because tobacco and alcohol are easily available over the counter, while cannibis is hard to get. I don't think the scientists realise that heroin and cocaine put together cause less deaths than tobacco, alcohol AND cannibis. So should we legalise them and tell the public that we think drug taking is OK. Let's tackle the root of the porblem, which is poverty, the buzz and youth integration.
Chin up, mate! Life's too short.
21 November 2006
7 hours 46 min
Where do you live where weed is hard to get?
Winter is the Springtime of the Muslim. Because Allah (swt) has made the nights long for worship, and the days short for fasting!
19 August 2007
3 weeks 2 days
It's definately harder than tobacco and alcohol.
Chin up, mate! Life's too short.
21 November 2006
7 hours 46 min
Not for thirteen-year-olds. I've never come across a dealer who asks for age-identification (and I've come across a lot of dealers.
Winter is the Springtime of the Muslim. Because Allah (swt) has made the nights long for worship, and the days short for fasting!
19 August 2007
3 weeks 2 days
Doesn't matter, tobacco and alcohol are available at the supermarket and can be bought by someone older, you have to FIND the dealer first. Anyway, I'm talking about most drug abusers, they are over 13. Legal drugs are the easiest to get hold of and start using. They eventually lead on to the other drugs such as cocaine and heroin.
Chin up, mate! Life's too short.
21 November 2006
7 hours 46 min
Proof?
Winter is the Springtime of the Muslim. Because Allah (swt) has made the nights long for worship, and the days short for fasting!
19 August 2007
3 weeks 2 days
Well that's what most drug users say. Do you have proof against that?
Chin up, mate! Life's too short.
21 November 2006
7 hours 46 min
You have asked 'most drug users'? Wow.
And no, I don't need proof against that, because I wasn't the one making outlandish claims/assumptions. The person who makes the claims needs the proof (Just make up a statistic, that's what 86% of people do).
Winter is the Springtime of the Muslim. Because Allah (swt) has made the nights long for worship, and the days short for fasting!
19 August 2007
3 weeks 2 days
No, I haven't gone and done that myself, but I have read, seen or come across many drug users and their families.
Mate, you don't have to get emotional here. I didn't mean to upset you.
Chin up, mate! Life's too short.
28 October 2005
8 hours 59 min
its hard to comment unless you've done it yourself.
People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid.
21 November 2006
7 hours 46 min
Its not hard to comment, its just hard to comment accurately.
Winter is the Springtime of the Muslim. Because Allah (swt) has made the nights long for worship, and the days short for fasting!
21 November 2006
7 hours 46 min
I have updated article with new law changes, at the end of the article.
Winter is the Springtime of the Muslim. Because Allah (swt) has made the nights long for worship, and the days short for fasting!
19 August 2007
3 weeks 2 days
You don't need to get drunk yourself to know that drinkiing alcohol is not the best thing to do.
Chin up, mate! Life's too short.
21 November 2006
7 hours 46 min
That is true, but someone who has drunk alcohol can say it with more authority.
Anyway, it says about alcohol in the Qur'an, but it doesn't say "weed is a 'gateway' to stronger drugs", does it?
Winter is the Springtime of the Muslim. Because Allah (swt) has made the nights long for worship, and the days short for fasting!
28 October 2005
8 hours 59 min
but you dont exactly why its not good, unless you experience it yourself you fully know what drinking alcohol is you can have the best idea without drinking but if you havent drunken alcohol you wont fully understand what it is therefore you cant comment with the fullest understanding, in short without drinking alcohol your empathyis short but if you have you can fully empathasise.
People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid.
19 August 2007
3 weeks 2 days
Unless you know people who have drank alcohol. You don't need to experience everything first hand to know about it.
Chin up, mate! Life's too short.
28 October 2005
8 hours 59 min
i didnt say you didnt what i said is to fully comprehend and understand it you would have to do it.
People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid.
19 August 2007
3 weeks 2 days
Yeah, even I know that, but that doesn't mean you have to have got drunk to challenge binge drinking.
Chin up, mate! Life's too short.
28 October 2005
8 hours 59 min
did i say that? im just saying you cant realy make a justified comment about this topic without having experienced this yourself no matter how much you've studied it.
People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid.