Marijuana
From AODWiki
Marijuana is composed of the flowers and leaves of the Cannabis plant. There are two different types of plants, Indica�s and Sativa�s3. The Sativa plant is characterized by narrow leaves, late maturation, with tall and loose branches. A sativa plant produces higher levels of THC than the indica plant and give the user a �mind high�. The indica plant is characterized by being short, densely branched, and having a conical shape. The leaves of an indica plant are wider and produce a lower THC level, giving the user a �body high�. The differences between the two plants come from the climates that they tend to grow in. As with anything in nature, the marijuana plant adapts to its environment over time. The indica plants tend to grow best in temperate climates whereas the sativa plants tend to grow best in humid climates near the equator.
The marijuana plant is composed of over 400 different chemicals; approximately 60 of them are called cannabinoids 1. The primary chemical in Marijuana is a psychoactive chemical called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, which is more commonly known as THC. THC is mostly concentrated in the flowers and upper leaves of the female Marijuana plant. THC is lipid soluble, not water soluble because it is an oil that is produced by the plant which creates vitamins and pigments in the Cannabis plant that are needed in order for the plant to survive. THC is also stored in the fat cells of the human body due to the fact that it is lipid soluble2 THC is a compound made up of many different chemicals and for this reason the potency or concentration of cannabinoids can vary. Growing conditions, genetics and processing after harvest can all have an affect on the THC content of the plant. The THC content in most marijuana distributed is between 0.3 � 4 percent depending on the weight. Specially grown marijuana can contain as much as fifteen percent THC. Large doses of THC can have mental and perceptual effects comparable to drugs deemed hallucinogens or psychomimetics. Studies have shown that the brain has two types of cannabinoid receptors. One set of receptors is most prevalent in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, basal ganglia, and the hippocampus. The other set of receptors is also in the brain but affects the immune system, which can lead to increased illness and an increased chance of developing cancer1.
Marijuana affects the central nervous system and can cause hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and anxiety. Long-term use of marijuana can lead to memory loss, lack of concentration, and poor decision-making. Marijuana contains many of the same chemicals that are found in tobacco cigarettes. A marijuana cigarette can deposit almost four times as much tar into the lungs as a filtered tobacco cigarette. Researchers report that the risk of a heart attack is five times higher than usual within the first hour after smoking marijuana. Another adverse affect that marijuana has on the body is that it lowers the white blood cell count, which affects the immune system making users more susceptible to infection and sickness. Smoking marijuana can cause cancer, respiratory problems, hypertension, increased heart rate, as well as many other health risks due to the chemicals found in the plant.
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Reference
- 1. "Pharmacodynamics." Marijuana: It's Role in the Medical Arena. 3 May 2007 <http://altmed.creighton.edu/medicalmarijuana/Pharmacology.htm>.
- 2. "Clinical Pharmacology of Marijuana." Medical Marijuana. 3 May 2007 <http://www.hivpositive.com/f-Nutrition/MedicalMarijuana/MM-ClinPharmacology.html>.
- 3. "Drugs in Sports: Recreational and Street Drugs - Marijuana." NCAA. 3 May 2007 <http://www.drugfreesport.com/choices/drugs/street/marijuana.html#C>.
Origins
Dried leaves, stems, and flowers of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). It has been used medicinally and recreationally for thousands of years. At about the early 19th century cannibis use had already spread from China and the Middle East eventually making its way to Europe and then to America in the middle of the century. In 1937, it was made illegal in the U.S. but up until now continues to be one of the most popular recreational drugs out there 1.
Street Names
Weed, pot, Mary Jane, grass, reefer, herb, MJ, nugs, nuggets, nuggies, grass, dank, dankies, bombies, sensimilla, lifted, chronic, stress, schwag.
Typical Use
Most users smoke marijuana as a joint (hand-rolled cigarette) or pipe. Other methods include smoking out of water pipes such as bongs, bingers or bubblers. Although a fallacy, some people feel that it is safer smoking out of such water pipes because it "cleans out the smoke." This may be true to an extent, but no form of smoking or any other free radicals in the lungs is considered safe. Marijuana is also brewed into teas and cooked in foods. For cooking, often the leaves will be cooked in an oil and the oil added to the food or sued in cooking because THC (the active chemical in marijauana) is oil soluble, not water soluble. However people choose to induce the drug, their is a motive: to get high, lifted, baked, stoned, irie, faded, blazed, loaded, bunked, mirked, or lit.
Effects
The high will begin as soon as the THC reaches the brain. Euphoira is an almost immediate effect of the drug. People often become spacey with altered perception, seeing things through a different perspective. Effects from smoking can last 1 to 3 hours. Effects from eating take place more slowly (1/2 - 1 hour) and last much longer. THC increases heart rate by 20 to 50 beats per minute, and in some cases has been known to double the heart rate. Bronchial passages become enlarged and blood vessels in the eyes dialate (leading the eyes to appear blood shot). Other effects include dry mouth and hunger. After the euphoric feeling has passed, the user may feel tired, depressed, and occasionally anxious, fearful, distrustful, or paniced. Although effects vary according to dose, tolerence, or individual reaction. People that smoke often experience much shorter duration periods compared to those who do not smoke often.
Use of marijuana impairs short-term memory, attention, judgement, coordination, and balance.
Physical health also suffers from use of marijuana. heavy marijuana users can have many of the same respiratory problems as smokers, including coughing, phlegm, chest illnesses, increased risk for lung infection, tendency for abstructed airways, and respiratory/lung cancer. In addition, the immune system is weakened by THC, leading to increased risk of infection and cancer.
Harm
Many individuals relate marijuana usage to the age of hippies, flower power, and anti-war protests; however, the use of marijuana is still prevalent in our society today.
The definition of marijuana, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, is �a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp plant� (NIDA). Street names for marijuana include, but are not limited to, �pot, herb, weed, grass, boom, Mary Jane, gangster, and chronic� (NIDA). Because marijuana is just a plant, many individuals don�t think of it as a �bad drug� or harmful to the body. Marijuana is given to cancer patients to rid nausea and other pain, and some like to think that because marijuana is used medically it is safe for everyone to use. This is not the case.
Marijuana affects each individual user differently and �depends on many factors, including the user's previous experience with the drug, how strong the marijuana is (how much THC it has), what the user expects to happen, where the drug is used, how it is taken, and whether the user is drinking alcohol or using other drugs� (NIDA). The definition of THC, mentioned above, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, is �the main active chemical in marijuana (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� (NIDA). Being �high� feels different for various people. Many individuals become extremely relaxed and just want to sit on a couch while their high lasts; however, some people become anxious and paranoid. After smoking marijuana, most people experience �cotton-mouth� so therefore drink a lot of water, and also become very hungry, most often referred to as �the munchies.�
Marijuana can be consumed in a variety of ways. It can be rolled and smoked like a cigarette, commonly referred to as a joint, or smoked out of a pipe or bong. Marijuana is sometimes even put into food, most commonly brownies known as �weed brownies.� Although marijuana is illegal in the United States, pipes and bongs are sold legally at smoke shops in some areas of the United States.
Marijuana is often used because of peer pressure, or even as an escape from reality. Like alcohol and other drugs, if used frequently, the body can build up a tolerance to marijuana. This means that to attain the same high, an individual has to smoke more marijuana than he or she did to obtain their first high. Most marijuana users don�t know the effects of marijuana on the body. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, �the short-term effects of marijuana include problems with memory and learning, distorted perception (sights, sounds, time, touch), trouble with thinking and problem solving, loss of motor coordination, and increased heart rate� (NIDA). Long-term effects of marijuana consist of cancer, lung problems, and a weakened immune system.
References
Marijuana: Facts for Teens. National Institute On Drug Abuse. Revised September 2004. 4 April 2007. < http://www.nida.nih.gov/MarijBroch/Marijteens.html>.
NIDA InfoFacts: Marijuana. National Institute On Drug Abuse. Revised April 2006. 4 April 2007. < http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofacts/marijuana.html>.
Cannibis Basics. Erowids Vault. 9 May 2007. <http://www.erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_basics.shtml>
