Weed vs skunk

Hi mnemonic,

Thanks for your post. I'm Justin a member of the OutLife support team.

Although weed is the most commonly used recreational drug in the UK, it can be quite confusing because there are so many different colours, textures, smells, and names! Hopefully we can clear some of this up for you

The strength and effects of cannabis vary a lot depending on the way the drug is prepared and how it's taken. For instance, eating hash brownies will be a different experience to smoking week or using cannabis oil.

Skunk is a particularly strong form of weed (cannabis as a dried plant). The two look really similar (a browny / green plant that looks like dried herbs) but skunk might have small crystals on the outside. The biggest difference between the two the amounts of active ingredients THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). Both are present in weed, but skunk generally has a lots more THC, and little or no CBD. It's generally thought that this is why skunk more potent and more likely to have unpleasant side-effects like paranoia and anxiety. This doesn't mean those things don't happen when smoking weed, it just means they're more likely when using skunk instead.

That's the principle difference. Both weed and skunk can be smoked in spliffs or bongs or eaten, and it's recommended that, if you're going to take them as safely as possible, then make sure you're in a relaxed, friendly environment, you don't have pre-existing mental health issues (it can make them worse), and that you avoid cannabis that's extremely high in THC.

I hope some of the above helps! If you're looking for more information then try some of the links below that go into a little more depth.

- Frank has a great page on cannabis which goes into more detail than we do here about how it's taken, how it feels, and the risks. Give it a read. www.talktofrank.com/drug/cannabis

- If you'd rather talk to someone then we'd recommend speaking to Switchboard, an LGBTQ+ charity run by volunteers. It's an amazing service and they'll gladly talk to you about anything. You can get Switchboard on 0300 330 0630 from 10am - 10pm.

- London-based charity London Friend runs an LGBTQ+ drugs advice line as part of its Antidote service. You can call them on 020 7833 1674 from 10am-6pm.

If you've got any more questions then feel free to post again and we'll see if we can point you in the right direction. Take care of yourself.

Justin

My brother does weed. It's fine. I hate the smell tho.