Health4 min(s) read
With Donald Trump reportedly looking at relaxing laws around cannabis, otherwise known as marijuana, people are wondering what the drug actually does to you.
Speaking at a press conference on August 11, the 79-year-old president revealed that his team is exploring the idea of reducing marijuana’s classification as a dangerous substance, a decision that could have far-reaching implications for the cannabis industry in the U.S.
“We’re looking at reclassification, and we’ll make a determination over the next - I would say, over the next few weeks, and that determination hopefully will be the right one. It’s a very complicated subject,” Trump explained, acknowledging the complexity of the issue.
This announcement comes just days after Trump attended a high-profile $1 million-per-head fundraiser, where he met with key figures from the marijuana industry, including Kim Rivers, CEO of one of the largest cannabis companies, Trulieve, and leaders from the pharmaceutical and cryptocurrency sectors.
The presence of influential figures from the cannabis industry has led many to speculate that there may be growing pressure on the president to reconsider marijuana’s legal status.
Currently, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug under federal law, a designation that considers it highly dangerous and addictive with no recognized medical use.
This classification, in place since the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, has contributed to marijuana’s prohibition across many federal regulations, despite the widespread legalization of the drug in 45 states for either medical or recreational use.
Should marijuana be reclassified to Schedule III, as was proposed by the Biden administration in 2024, the changes would be significant but wouldn’t legalize recreational marijuana at the federal level.
As the debate around cannabis legalization heats up, it’s important to understand how cannabis affects the body.
The effects of the drug can vary widely depending on several factors, such as the method of consumption, the user’s health, age, weight, and tolerance levels.
For example, smoking cannabis results in a quicker onset of effects, typically within two to 10 minutes, per Healthline.
In contrast, edibles can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to produce noticeable effects.
Once the THC (the main psychoactive compound in cannabis) enters the bloodstream, it can lead to a range of physical effects, such as an increased pulse rate, which can rise by 20 to 50 beats per minute and last for several hours, according to WebMD.
You may also experience red eyes, a common side effect of cannabis use, as blood vessels in the eyes dilate.
By the 20-minute mark, THC will be fully absorbed into the bloodstream if smoked, while edible forms of cannabis take longer to reach this stage, as the THC must first be metabolized by the liver.
Once in the bloodstream, THC stimulates areas of the brain associated with pleasure, leading to the euphoric, relaxed feelings associated with cannabis use. However, it can also cause anxiety or panic, particularly in inexperienced users or when consuming a potent strain.
Another well-known side effect is the "munchies" — a sudden craving for food.
This happens because THC stimulates the olfactory bulb, which enhances the sense of taste and smell, tricking the brain into thinking you're hungry, even if you’re not. If you’re hoping to avoid the munchies, eating a solid meal before using cannabis can help.
The high from cannabis typically peaks around 30 minutes in, and for most users, this can last anywhere from five to six hours. In some cases, especially with stronger strains, the effects can linger even longer.
However, while the immediate effects may wear off within hours, cannabis can impair judgment for up to 24 hours. During this time, your thoughts may feel deeper than usual, and your ability to concentrate might be affected.
For those who are concerned about drug testing, it’s important to know that traces of cannabis can remain in the system for up to two to three days after use, and potentially longer for regular users.
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