Is marijuana really a "soft" drug? A top UK psychiatrist has warned young people that smoking marijuana poses serious risks to mental health and brain function. Some might be tempted to dismiss the risks.
‘Don’t grow your brain in cannabis soup’
Risky high: Cannabis is classified as a Class B drug in the UK — the maximum penalty for possession is up to five years in prison. Glossary
BCE - Before Common Era. Used as a non-religious alternative to BC (Before Christ).
Cannabis - A tall plant. When parts of it are smoked or eaten, it can have a mind-altering effect.
Nomadic - People who move around and do not live in one place are nomadic.
Recreational drug - A drug that is taken, usually illegally, for enjoyment rather than medicinal purposes.
BBC - The British Broadcasting Corporation is the UK's national broadcaster.
Psychiatrist - A doctor who specialises in diagnosing and treating mental illnesses.
Psychosis - A serious mental health condition in which sufferers are severely detached from reality.
Depression - Low mood that affects someone's daily life, and can last for weeks or months.
Cognitive - Relating to the processes of thinking and reasoning.
Legalisation - To make something that was once illegal, or against the law, legal. It is often used in the context of drugs.