All You Want to Know About………… Created by: Shannon N. Phifer.

Created by: Shannon N. Phifer

CANNABIS

All You Want to Know About…………


So what exactly is cannabis?

When talking about the drug, marijuana and cannabis both have the same meaning. When talking botanically - talking about the plant genus - we use the word Cannabis. Cannabis is a flowering plant genus that includes three acknowledged varieties:

Cannabis sativa Cannabis indica Cannabis ruderalis The three types originally come from South and Central Asia.

Cannabis has been used for hundreds of years by humans, for fiber (hemp), seed oils, seed, medical treatment and recreationally.


What is Cannabis, the drug?

The drug, cannabis, is produced from the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant. The plant is related to hops and nettles. Cannabis grows wild in many parts of the world.

Cannabis, the plant, contains over 400 chemicals, including a penicillin-like antibiotic cannabidiolic acid. The Cannabis plants' chemical derivatives can be used for either recreational or therapeutic (medicinal) purposes.

As a recreational drug, cannabis can come in a variety of forms, including: As a dried plant (herbal) A resin In powder form As oil


What are the main active ingredients of Cannabis?

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) - tests have shown THC has mild to moderate painkilling (analgesic) effects, and can be used for the treatment of pain. THC alters transmitter release in the spinal cord, resulting in pain relief.

The compound is also known to stimulate appetite (informally known as "the munchies"), it induces a relaxed state, as well has having effects on the person's sense of smell, hearing and eyesight. It can also cause fatigue. In some people, THC may reduce symptoms of aggression.

Some limited studies have shown that THC shows promise for the treatment of nausea and/or vomiting - it may have anti-emetic qualities.

CBD (Cannabidiol) - animal laboratory tests have shown than it has a sedative effect; it has also been found to increase alertness in some studies. However, experts say that CBD may interfere with THC metabolism in the liver - THC clearance from the body may slow down.

Some studies have also demonstrated or indicated that CBD can relieve the symptoms of nausea, anxiety, inflammation and convulsions. Some oncologists suggest it may inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

Scientists in more recent studies say CBD may be useful in treating atypical psychosis in schizophrenia patients, as well as relieving dystonia symptoms. Dystonia is a general term which describes involuntary movements and extended muscle contractions - the patient has tremor, unusual or awkward postures, and twisting body movements.


Trends in cannabis consumption in the United States

In 2010, there were 2.4 million persons aged 12 or older who had used marijuana for the first time within the past 12 months; this averages to about 6,600 new users each day. This estimate was about the same as the estimates in 2008 and 2009 (2.2 million and 2.4 million, respectively), but higher than the estimates in 2002 through 2007 (Figure 5.4). It should be noted that although the total number of past year marijuana initiates aged 12 or older did not change between 2009 and 2010, the number of recent initiates aged 26 or older increased from 49,000 to 247,000 in that time period. Trends among this age group have been somewhat volatile since 2002

Most (58.5 percent) of the 2.4 million recent marijuana initiates were younger than age 18 when they first used. Among all youths aged 12 to 17, an estimated 5.2 percent had used marijuana for the first time within the past year, similar to the rate in 2009 (5.4 percent).



In 2010, among persons aged 12 or older, there were an estimated 1.4 million first-time past year marijuana users who initiated prior to the age of 18. This estimate was not significantly different from the corresponding estimates in 2009 (1.5 million) and 2008 (1.4 million).

As a percentage of those aged 12 to 17 who had not used marijuana prior to the past year (i.e., those at risk for initiation), the youth marijuana initiation rate in 2010 (5.9 percent) was similar to the rate in 2009 (6.1 percent).

In 2010, the average age at first marijuana use among recent initiates aged 12 to 49 was 18.4 years, which was higher than the average in 2009 (17.0 years) and in 2002 through 2005 when the average age ranged from 16.8 to 17.4 years (Figure 5.4). The low mean age in 2009 was apparently due to the low number of estimated initiates aged 26 to 49 in 2009, relative to other years. The estimates had been above 100,000 per year from 2004 to 2008, but dropped to 49,000 in 2009, before increasing to 210,000 in 2010.


Figure 5.4 Past Year Marijuana Initiates among Persons Aged 12 or Older and Mean Age at First Use of Marijuana among

Past Year Marijuana Initiates Aged 12 to 49: 2002-2010


Past Month Illicit Drug Use among Persons Aged 12 or Older (via SAMHSA 2010)






Therapeutic Uses of Cannabis


Anti-Marijuana Pro-

Marijuana

Anti-Marijuana

Pro-Marijuana

The anti-marijuana camp consists mostly of right-wing republican Americans, and a great majority of politicians in the federal government. The large number of politicians who support anti-marijuana legislation probably stems in some part from the fear that being perceived as soft on crime/drugs will cost them votes. The anti-marijuana camp cites in their arguments the studies which have shown marijuana to be an addictive, mind-altering substance. Scientific studies have shown smoked marijuana to be linked to heart and lung disease, throat cancer, and a decreased memory capacity. Anti-marijuana activists also point out that a driver under the influence of marijuana is ten times more likely to be involved in an accident than a driver under the influence of a comparable amount of alcohol. Another supporting argument for the anti-marijuana side is the staggering amount of drugs that have been seized coming into the United States. Advocates of the drug war use these statistics and the statistics that show drug use to be strongly linked to criminal activity as their arguments against legalizing marijuana.

The pro-marijuana camp is generally composed of Libertarians and left wing activists, and advocates the decriminalization, and in some cases, total legalization, of marijuana. Proponents of legalization claim that the drug war is failing, that people arrested and imprisoned for marijuana use are not cured of their habit during time spent in jail. The pro-marijuana advocates also suggest that if marijuana were to be legalized, the government could regulate the substance, much like tobacco and alcohol. Thus, there would a means to regulate the purity of distributed marijuana, a means of tracking marijuana use in the United States, and a means of taxing (therefore increasing federal revenue) sale and distribution of marijuana. Under such a policy, abuse of marijuana would be treated very similarly to abuse of alcohol. The liberal side also suggests that legalizing and controlling marijuana would decrease crimes associated with the substance, and lead to safer and more responsible use of the substance.


Street Names for Cannabis

* Weed* Pot* Reefer* Grass* Dope* Ganja* Mary Jane* Hash* Herb* Aunt Mary* Skunk* Boom* Chronic* Cheeba* Blunt* Ashes* Atshitshi* Baby Bhang* Bammy* Blanket* Bo-Bo, Bobo Bush* Bomber* Boom* Broccoli

*Cripple* Dagga* Dinkie Dow* Ding* Dona Juana (or Juanita)* Flower, Flower Tops* Ganja* Gasper* Giggle Smoke, Good Giggles* Good Butt* Hot Stick* Jay* Jolly Green* Joy Smoke, Joy Stick* Roach


Slang Terms for Marijuana Use and Abuse

* Blast (blast a roach, blast a stick, blast a joint)* Blow one’s roof* Blowing smoke* Blow a stick* Boot the gong* Airhead (marijuana user)* Bite one’s lips* Bogart* Hi the Hay* Burn one* Fire it up* Get a gage up* Get the wind* Fly Mexican Airlines* Mow the grass* Tea party* Toke* Torch up


Nicknames and Street Names for Marijuana-Laced Drugs

Marijuana laced with some sort of narcotic: Amp Joint, Dust, Dusting

Marijuana and Heroin: Atom Bomb, A-Bomb, Canade, Woola, Woolie, Woo-Woo, Brown

Marijuana and PCP: Ace, Bohd, Chips, Frios, Zoom

Marijuana and LSD: Beast, LBJ

Marijuana and Crack: Buda, Butter, Crack Back, Fry Daddy, Geek, Juice Joint

Marijuana and Cocaine: Banano, Basuco, Bush, Chase, Cocktail, Cocoa Puff, Hooter, Jim Jones, Lace

Marijuana and Alcohol: Herb and Al


Cannabis Effects on the Brain

Marijuana- Short-Term Effects: The effects of a “joint” are generally felt within a few minutes and reach a peak between 10 and 30 minutes. Overall, most of marijuana’s short-term effects wear off within 2 or 3 hours.

How Does Marijuana Affect the Brain? When someone smokes marijuana, THC is absorbed by the lungs and into the bloodstream, which carries the THC to the brain and all other organs throughout the body, producing the "high" that users experience. The parts of the brain most affected include those that influence pleasure, memory, thinking, concentrating, sensory and time perception and coordinated movement.

Marijuana- Long-Term Effects: According to NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse), research has shown that, in chronic users, marijuana's adverse impact on learning and memory can last for days or weeks after the acute effects of the drug wear off. As a result, a daily marijuana smoker may be functioning at a suboptimal intellectual level all of the time. Research has also shown poorer cognitive abilities than non-users, including memory capability, math and verbal skills. And, as discussed earlier, marijuana can be addictive.



Physiological Effects from Cannabis Abuse

The active ingredient in marijuana is THC. That's short for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.

THC is rapidly absorbed after smoking pot. Within minutes, THC and the other substances in marijuana smoke cause short-term medical effects.

Signs of using marijuana include: Rapid heart rate Increased blood pressure Increased rate of breathing Red eyes Dry mouth Increased appetite, or "the munchies" Slowed reaction time

These effects are reduced after three or four hours. However, marijuana hangs around in your system for as long as a month after smoking. The lingering effects mean you're impaired for several days to weeks after the high wears off.


Health Risks of Cannabis Abuse

Effects on the Brain The active ingredient in marijuana, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, acts

on cannabinoid receptors on nerve cells and influences the activity of those cells. Some brain areas have many cannabinoid receptors, but other areas of the brain have few or none at all. Many cannabinoid receptors are found in the parts of the brain that influence pleasure, memory, thought, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement. When high doses of marijuana are used, usually when eaten in food rather than smoked, users can experience the following symptoms:

Hallucinations

Delusions

Impaired memory

Disorientation



Effects on the Heart

Within a few minutes after smoking marijuana, the heart begins beating more rapidly and the blood pressure drops. Marijuana can cause the heart beat to increase by 20 to 50 beats per minute, and can increase even more if other drugs are used at the same time. Because of the lower blood pressure and higher heart rate, researchers found that users' risk for a heart attack is four times higher within the first hour after smoking marijuana, compared to their general risk of heart attack when not smoking.



Effects on the Lungs

Smoking marijuana, even infrequently, can cause burning and stinging of the mouth and throat, and cause heavy coughing. Scientists have found that regular marijuana smokers can experience the same respiratory problems as tobacco smokers do, including:

Daily cough and phlegm production More frequent acute chest illnesses Increased risk of lung infections Obstructed airways

Most marijuana smokers consume a lot less cannabis than cigarette smokers consume tobacco, however the harmful effects of smoking marijuana should not be ignored. Marijuana contains more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke and because marijuana smokers typically inhale deeper and hold the smoke in their lungs longer than tobacco smokers, their lungs are exposed to those carcinogenic properties longer, when smoking.



What About Cancer?

Although one study found that marijuana smokers were three times more likely to develop cancer of the head or neck than non-smokers, that study could not be confirmed by further analysis. Because marijuana smoke contains three times the amount of tar found in tobacco smoke and 50 percent more carcinogens, it would seem logical to deduce that there is an increased risk of lung cancer for marijuana smokers. However, researchers have not been able to definitively prove such a link because their studies have not been able to adjust for tobacco smoking and other factors that might also increase the risk.

Studies linking marijuana smoking to lung cancer have also been limited by selection bias and small sample size. For example, the participants in those studies may have been too young to have developed lung cancer yet. Even though researchers have yet to "prove" a link between smoking pot and lung cancer, regular smokers may want to consider the risk.

Other Health Effects

Research indicates that THC impairs the body's immune system from fighting disease, which can cause a wide variety of health problems. One study found that marijuana actually inhibited the disease-preventing actions of key immune cells. Another study found that THC increased the risk of developing bacterial infections and tumors.


Signs and Symptoms of Cannabis Abuse/Dependence

Marijuana is the most commonly abused illegal drug in the United States. Marijuana is a dry, shredded mix of the flowers, stems, and leaves of the hemp plant cannabis sativa. Marijuana smoke has a pungent and distinctive, usually sweet-and-sour odor.

Behavioral changes that may be symptoms of marijuana addiction include:

distorted perceptions impaired coordination difficulty in thinking and problem

solving ongoing problems with learning and

memory

Additionally, several other signs of marijuana abuse are frequently visible in users:

red, blurry, bloodshot eyes constant, mucus-filled cough rapid heartbeat hunger, referred to as

munchies dry mouth anxiety, paranoia, or fear poor memory poor coordination slow reaction time loss of control addiction


References http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/08/national-drug-report-statistics_n_9

54425.html http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/246392.php http://oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUH/2k10NSDUH/2k10Results.htm

http://www.casapalmera.com/articles/nicknames-street-names-and-slang-for-marijuana/

http://www.gallup.com/poll/159152/americans-federal-gov-state-marijuana-laws.aspx

http://norml.org/component/zoo/category/recent-research-on-medical-marijuana

http://www.thedailychronic.net/2012/8844/from-decrim-to-legalization-state-lawmakers-nationwide-are-looking-at-marijuana-reform/

http://www.drugs.com/news/medical-marijuana-controversy-continues-1780.html


http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/marijuana-use-and-its-effects http://alcoholism.about.com/od/pot/a/effects.-Lya.htm

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/246392.php





http://oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUH/2k10NSDUH/2k10Results.htm

http://oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUH/2k10NSDUH/2k10Results.htm

















http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/marijuana-use-and-its-effects

http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/marijuana-use-and-its-effects

http://alcoholism.about.com/od/pot/a/effects.-Lya.htm

http://alcoholism.about.com/od/pot/a/effects.-Lya.htm

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