Marijuana
Marijuana contains 421 different chemicals, including 61 cannabinoids not found elsewhere in nature. Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Drug experts report that THC levels have increased dramatically in recent years, thereby creating more intense effects and greater potential for abuse.Marijuana is usually a green or gray mixture of dried leaves and shredded flowers from the Cannabis sativa plant. There are many slang terms for marijuana including Grass, Pot, Weed, Hash, MaryJane, Bud, Tree, Dope, Ghanja, Dro, Herb, Reefer, and Chronic.
Effects
The membranes of some nerve cells have protein receptors that bind with THC, which creates a cascade of cellular reactions that lead to the high that marijuana users experience. Short-term effects of marijuana include memory problems, distorted perception, cognitive impairment, coordination problems, increased heart rate, anxiety, and panic. Research suggests that long-term use may play a role in the development of some forms of cancer as well as problems with the respiratory, immune, and reproductive systems.
Other effects include the following.
- Euphoria
- Red eyes
- Sensory distortion
- Poor coordination
- Altered feelings
- Lethargy
- Time distortion
- Increased appetite
- Most effects peak in about 1 hour and diminish in 2 - 4 hours
- Chronic use may lead to loss of interest and motivation
Research suggests that heavy marijuana users have more difficulty sustaining attention, shifting attention, and processing information. Longitudinal research indicates that youth who use marijuana experience lower achievement, more acceptance of deviant behavior, more aggression, greater rebelliousness, poorer relationships with parents, and more associations with drug-using friends. Research also suggests that toddlers of marijuana users display more angry and aggressive behavior.
Signs that a person might be using marijuana
If someone is high on marijuana, he or she might appear dizzy, unsteady, giddly, have bloodshot eyes, and memory impairment. A few hours after using marijuana, users may become sleepy. Marijuana’s odor has a strong, burnt smell. Skeletons, skulls, aliens, marijuana leaves, and the number 420 are common symbols associated with marijuana.
Marijuana users might have paraphernalia that could include:
- Roach clips (small clips used to hold a marijuana joint)
- Stone, glass, or wooden pipes
- A "one hitter," a small wooden box that contains marijuana
- Rolling papers
How is marijuana used?
Users often smoke marijuana in a cigarette or pipe. Some users put marijuana in food or use it to brew a tea. Another method is to slice open a cigar and replace tobacco with marijuana, making a blunt. Marijuana cigarettes or blunts may also include other drugs such as crack cocaine.
Health Effects
Lungs
Marijuana smoke contains cancer causing chemicals also found in tobacco smoke. Marijuana users hold smoke in their lungs longer and may therefore do more damage than many more cigarettes. The risk is higher for those who smoke both cigarettes and marijuana.
Brain
Marijuana may interfere with short-term memory, reasoning, reading comprehension, speech, and arithmetic skills. Marijuana reduces reaction time and visual tracking ability, which can impair ability to drive a car safely.
Growth and Sexual Development
Research suggests that marijuana alters hormone levels, which could interrupt growth and sexual development. THC levels in the brain affect the pituitary gland, which controls sex and reproductive functions. In boys and men, marijuana may cause a drop in testosterone and sperm production. Marijuana use may also decrease hormonal and ovarian function in women and girls.
Immune System
Marijuana use can weaken the immune system and interrupt maturation of white blood cells. Therefore, marijuana users may be more vulnerable to illness.
And Finally
Last but not least, marijuana is illegal. Choosing to use marijuana carries the risk of getting caught and experiencing sever consequences.
Information adapted from the University of Notre Dame Office of Alcohol and Drug Education (2006)