Marijuana
Marijuana Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. A dry, shredded green/brown mix of flowers, stems, seeds, and leaves of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa, it usually is smoked as a cigarette (joint, nail), or in a pipe (bong). It also is smoked in blunts, which are cigars that have been emptied of tobacco and refilled with marijuana, often in combination with another drug. Other forms of cannabis include sinsemilla, hashish, and hash oil. All forms of cannabis are mind-altering (psychoactive) drugs.
The main active chemical in marijuana is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). The membranes of certain nerve cells in the brain contain protein receptors that bind to THC. Once securely in place, THC kicks off a series of cellular reactions that ultimately lead to the high that users experience when they smoke marijuana. Short-term effects of marijuana use include problems with memory and learning, distorted perception, difficulty in thinking and problem solving, loss of coordination, increased heart rate, and anxiety.
- Classification
- What else is it called?
- What does it look like?
- How is it used?
- Is it ever combined with other drugs?
- How might the user feel?
- How might they look/act?
- What are the after effects?
- How does it affect the body?
- What are the risks to an unborn child?
- How much does it cost?
- Other Information
Classification
Psychogenics (two types) produce altered states of consciousness.
-
Hallucinogens
Hallucinogenics produce hallucinations sometimes reported as "mystic" experiences -
Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids usually produce increased feelings of "well being" and "mellow" intoxication; no approved therapeutic uses, but cannabinoids are being increasingly used for their antinausea, anxiolytic, and appetite-stimulating effects in severely ill patients (e.g., AIDS)
The "pleasantness" of the states produced by both classes probably depends partially on expectancies.
What else is it called?
- Grass
- Pot
- Weed
- Toke
- MJ
- Joint
- Sativa
- Reefer
- Sinsemilla
- Dope
- Sticks
- Chronic
- Columbian
- Mary Jane
- Doobie
- Ace
- Hashish
- Jamaican
- Hashish Oil
- Hemp
- Ganja
- Tea
- Acapulco Gold
What does it look like?
- Greenish-brown dry leaves, similar to herbs (e.g. oregano, parsley)
- Hand-rolled cigarette
- Resin extract (hashish)
- Tar-like liquid (hashish)
How is it used?
- Smoked (joint, blunt, bong, or pipe)
- Eaten (in cookies, brownies, etc.)
- What type of paraphernalia is used?
- Rolling papers
- Bongs (water pipes)
- Plastic bags
- Pipes
- Roach Clips
- Matches
Is it ever combined with other drugs?
- With formaldehyde ("sheeba")
- With opium ("O.J.")
- With heroin ("atom bomb")
- With PCP ("super grass" or "killer weed")
How might the user feel?
- content
- relaxed
- uninhibited
- confused
- disoriented
- paranoid (high dosages)
- craving for sweets
- euphoric
- intense senses
- lethargic
- impaired perceptions of time and space
- dry mouth and throat
How might they look/act?
- dilated pupils
- animated with rapid talking
- red, bloodshot eyes
- panicked, irrational
- sudden outbursts of laughter
- excess swearing
- silly / giggling
- uncoordinated
- intoxicated / drowsy
What are the after effects?
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Irritability
How does it affect the body?
Potential Short term effects:
- impairs vision
- changes sex drive
- increases heart rate, palpitations
- slows reaction time
- lowers blood pressure
- distorts perception of reality
- impairs decision making
- concentration
- impedes short term memory
Potential Long term effects:
- lung cancer
- flashbacks
- psychological dependence
- coma
- insomnia
- heart and lung damage
- asthma reverse tolerance
- impairs immune system
- panic reactions
- bronchitis
- decreases sperm count and mobility
- infertility
- toxic psychosis
- disrupts ovulation and mensus
- amotivational syndrome
- possible permanent brain damage
What are the risks to an unborn child?
- Congenital birth defects
- Exaggerated startle and motor reflexes
- Stillbirth
- Delayed development after birth
- Tremors
How much does it cost?
- $18,000 - pound
- $150 - ounce
- $15 - $20 - gram
- Note: Prices vary according to purity, quantity, place of origin and sale, and numerous market trends
Other Information
- One joint equals 16 cigarettes in terms of health hazards
- Active ingredient is THC (delta - 9 tetra - hydrocannabinol)
- Creates a "Depot affect" - stored in fat cells
- Most abused drug by students, after alcohol
- Effects of "high" last approximately 2 hours
