General Information
Marijuana (cannabis):
- is the most frequently used illicit drug in America and Australia today
- refers to the leaves and flowering tops of the cannabis plant
- is a tobacco-like substance produced by drying the leaves and flowering tops of the cannabis plant
- can look like dried herbs or tea. Sometimes it contains seeds or twigs. It can be grey, green or brown in color
- varies significantly in potency, depending on source and selection of plant materials
- the form known as sinsemilla (Spanish, sin semilla: without seed) is derived from unpollinated female cannabis plants and is preferred for its high THC content.
- is usually smoked in the form of loosely rolled cigarettes called "joints", hollowed out commercial cigars called "blunts" or water pipes called "bongs"
- Joints and blunts may be laced with a number of adulterants including phencyclidine (PCP), substantially altering the effects and toxicity of these products
- street names include pot, grass, weed, Mary Jane, Acapulco Gold, reefer, "cannabis", "mull", "dope", and "yarndi".
Contains known toxins and cancer-causing chemicals which are stored in fat cells for as long as several months Marijuana users experience the same health problems as tobacco smokers and other symptoms such as:
- bronchitis
- emphysema
- bronchial asthma
- increased heart rate
- dryness of the mouth
- reddening if the eyes
- impaired motor skills and concentration
- frequent hunger
- increased desire for sweets
- increases risk to the lungs and reproductive system
- suppression of the immune system
- occasionally hallucinations, fantasies and paranoia are reported
What is THC?
THC is the chemical in marijuana which makes you feel "high" (which means experiencing a change in mood and seeing or feeling things differently).
Certain parts of the plant contain higher levels of THC.
The flowers or buds have more THC than the stems or leaves.
Effects
The Effect of THC
When marijuana is smoked, THC goes:
- quickly into the blood through the lungs
- to the brain (this is when the "high" is felt and can happen within a few minutes and can last up to five hours)
- THC is absorbed more slowly into the blood when marijuana is eaten as it has to pass through the stomach and intestine and can take up to one hour to experience the "high" effects which can last up to 12 hours.
- THC is absorbed quickly into body fat and is then released very slowly back into the blood. This process can take up to one month for a single dose of THC to fully leave the body.
The effects of marijuana will vary from person to person depending on:
- 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
- whether alone or with other people, at home or at a party.
Immediate effects
Small amounts
With a small amount of marijuana the effects can last up to five hours. You may:
- feel unusually well and happy
- do or say things out of the normal
- talk and laugh more than usual
- have poor balance and coordination
- find it difficult to concentrate
- feel hungry
- have a faster heart rate
- have red eyes
- focus awareness on one particular thing and ignore all other things.
- These effects usually lead to feelings of slowing down and sleepiness.
Large amounts
With a large amount of marijuana, you may:
- feel confused
- be restless
- feel excited
- see or hear things which are not there
- feel anxious or panicky
- feel distant or separate from reality
Marijuana can also cause problems with:
- remembering things
- thinking clearly
- movement
- ability to drive or operate machines
- Symptoms usually disappear when the effects of marijuana wear off.
Long-term effects
If you take marijuana regularly over a long period of time then you may experience the following health problems:
- increase in the risk of getting bronchitis, lung cancer and other respiratory system diseases
- decrease in motivation
- decrease in concentration, memory and ability to learn new things
- lowered sex drive
- decrease in sperm-count in men
- irregular menstrual cycles in women
- psychological effects may be experienced if the person already has a schizophrenic condition
Marijuana and pregnancy
It is not wise to use any drugs during pregnancy as:
- THC passes from the mother to the baby through the placenta
- women who smoke marijuana may give birth to smaller babies
- newborn babies may have trouble sleeping
Marijuana and driving
- Marijuana makes it more difficult to drive safely, especially combined with alcohol there is no breathalyzer test as yet to detect if you have used marijuana.
- if marijuana, or other drugs, are suspected you can be arrested and subjected to a compulsory blood and urine test to show if THC or any other drug is in your body
- it is illegal to drive while under the influence of any drugs, including marijuana
- if you break this law you could lose your license for a fixed period of time, be fined or sent to prison
- if a person under the influence of marijuana kills or injures another person while driving a motor vehicle he/she can be sentenced to prison
Mixing marijuana with other drugs
It can be harmful to mix marijuana with other drugs such as alcohol or other prescription drugs, because the effects of marijuana can increase considerably.
Tolerance and Dependence
Physical dependency to marijuana can develop. This means that you may experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop or suddenly cut down.
Withdrawal
Marijuana withdrawal symptoms usually consist of flu like symptoms such as:
- headaches
- nausea
- irritation
- depression
- anxiety
- upset stomach
- difficulties in sleeping
Giving Up Marijuana
- If you have been a long time user of marijuana it may be difficult to stop. Some people have been known to give up in one day while others prefer to wean themselves slowly off the drug by taking less marijuana each time.
- Giving up any drug habit can be traumatic. The choice is always a personal one but there is assistance available.
- A guide to quitting marijuana is a self help booklet available from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre in Sydney, Australia.
- Mulling it over is a harm reduction booklet available from the Manly Drug Education and Counseling Centre (MDECC).
- Counseling for users, concerned relatives and friends is available in some alcohol and other drug agencies, hospitals, community health centres and private clinics. Phone the telephone counseling service in your state or territory for more information.
- Quit smoking marijuana groups are available in some drug and alcohol agencies. These groups are like quit smoking programs. Phone the telephone counseling service in your state or territory for more information.
Note
There is:
- no record of any deaths being caused by marijuana
- no evidence that marijuana automatically leads to the use of other drugs
