National Institute on Drug Abuse


What happens if you smoke marijuana?
The effects of the drug on each person depend on the user's experience, as well as:
  • how strong the marijuana is (how much THC it has);
  • what the user expects to happen;
  • where (the place) the drug is used;
  • how it is taken; and
  • whether the user is drinking alcohol or using other drugs.

Some people feel nothing at all when they smoke marijuana. Others may feel relaxed or high. Sometimes marijuana makes users feel thirsty and very hungry - an effect called "the munchies."
Some users can get bad effects from marijuana. They may suffer sudden feelings of anxiety and have paranoid thoughts. This is more likely to happen when a more potent variety of marijuana is used.

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