Marijuana has numerous effects on the user. It's effects are produced by a chemical called THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). This chemical in marijuana is what creates the users "high". THC is found in the marijuana plant and has a higher potency level when it is located in the flowers or buds of the plant. The effects of the THC in the marijuana plant when it is smoked quickly travel through the blood into the lungs and then to the brain. When the THC reaches the brain it creates marijuana's effect of being "high".
Intensity of the effects of marijuana differ person to person. The variables include: how much taken, how strong (potent) the marijuana is, how the marijuana is taken (joint, bong, food), size, weight, health, mood, individual experience with marijuana, if marijuana is taken with other drugs, and whether alone or with other people, at home or at a party.
Here is a typical breakdown of the timeframe of marijuana effects:
Onset 0-10 minutes
Coming Up 5-10 minutes
Plateau 15-30 minutes
Coming Down 45-60 minutes
After Effects 30-60 minutes
Short-term effects of using marijuana include: