Drug FAQ's - Marijuana
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As the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States,
marijuana has received a great deal of attention. This information
sheet addresses the main issues, questions, and concerns that
are raised, including common misunderstandings about this drug.
WHAT IS MARIJUANA?
Marijuana, or "cannabis", is a plant found in many
areas of the world. It is also known as "grass," "pot," or "weed." It
contains the mind-altering substance "THC," as
well as hundreds of other chemicals. The amount of THC determines
the effect on the user.
A "joint" is a marijuana cigarette made from the
dried leaves and flowers of the plant. A "blunt" is
a marijuana cigar or marijuana rolled in cigar paper.
Other drugs are also made from the plant.' Hashish is made
from the plant's resin. Hash oil is made from an oily extract
of the plant, or from hashish. Hashish and hash oil have high
concentrations of THC. These forms of marijuana are smoked,
or baked and eaten.
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DOES MARIJUANA VARY IN STRENGTH?
Plant strain, climate, soil, and other factors affect the
strength of the drug. Users may not know the strength of the
marijuana they are using.
The strength of street samples of marijuana has increased
over the years. In 1975, samples with over 1 percent THC content
were rare. Samples now average 3 percent. One cultivated form
called Sinsemilla averages 7 percent THC and may contain more.
The more potent drug has greater effects and risks for the
user. Short term, it increases impairment and risk of injury.
Long-term, greater THC levels increase the health risks caused
by THC accumulation in the body.
WHAT ARE THE IMMEDIATE EFFECTS OF MARIJUANA?
Effects depend on the dose, the strength of the drug, the
user, other drugs in the body, and the setting. Physical effects
include an increase in heart rate, reddening of the eyes, and
dryness in the mouth and throat. Marijuana's psychological
effects begin to occur even at low doses and increase if higher
doses are taken. These effects include relaxation and feelings
of euphoria. Short-term memory is impaired. Sense of time and
space are altered. The ability to perform tasks requiring concentration,
swift reactions, and coordination is reduced. Users' reports
that hearing, vision, and skin sensitivity are enhanced by
the drug are not confirmed by objective research. Altered sense
of body image, and bouts of exaggerated laughter are also commonly
reported.
Effects usually begin and peak soon after smoking, and diminish
gradually over several hours. Use is followed by fatigue.
Heavy use is often followed by a marijuana "hangover".
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WHAT IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS OCCUR WITH MARIJUANA?
Immediate problems may occur, even at low doses.
- Headache and dizziness are possible.
- The drug can trigger
seizures in people with epilepsy.
- A user may have an "acute panic reaction," in which
the drug's effects are exaggerated, causing anxiety and a fear
of losing control or "going crazy". Such
panic symptoms often go away in a few hours when
the acute drug
effects have
diminished.
- Marijuana increases heart rate- as much as 50 percent.
This could be dangerous for people with abnormal heart
conditions. It can bring on chest pain in people who have poor blood
supply to the heart, and does so more rapidly than tobacco smoking.
Doctors believe that people with heart conditions
or at high risk for heart problems should not use marijuana.
- Marijuana affects mood, senses, reaction, and coordination.
This may cause behavior which leads to injury or
death in traffic crashes, or other incidents.
- Despite marijuana's reputation as a relaxing drug, arguments
and aggression may occur in some users.
- Effects on concentration, memory, and coordination can
cause poor job or school performance.
- As an illegal drug, marijuana obviously causes the risk
of legal problems.
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WHAT LONG-TERM PROBLEMS OCCUR WITH MARIJUANA?
- Smoking marijuana is particularly harmful to the
lungs. Smoke of any kind inflames the lungs and affects
their functions.
Marijuana smoke contains many irritants and known
cancer causing chemicals. Users may experience hoarseness,
coughing, laryngitis,
and bronchitis. One study showed that smoking marijuana
impairs the lungs even more than smoking cigarettes. Evidence shows
that smoking marijuana impairs the body cells which
defend against bacteria and other disease germs.
- It is likely that smoked marijuana can cause cancer if
used for a number of years. Marijuana smoke contains even
more cancer-causing agents than tobacco smoke. Human lung tissue that had
been exposed to marijuana smoke in a laboratory showed precancerous
cell changes. In laboratory tests, tars from marijuana
smoke have produced tumors when applied to animal skin.
- Animal studies have shown persistent changes in the structure
of the brain cells after regular marijuana use. Subtle
and lasting changes in human brain function may result from heavy
and continuous marijuana use. However, no definitive
study has yet proven permanent marijuana-related brain damage
in humans.
- Marijuana burnout may occur. People who smoke marijuana
heavily over long periods may become dull, slow-moving, and
inattentive,
even when not currently under the influence of the
drug. A common term for this is "burned out." These users often do not perceive themselves to be burned
out. Burnout
may be a sign of drug-related mental impairment,
not merely fatigue or a "don't care" attitude.
It may not be completely reversible, or it may diminish
only
after
months
of abstinence.
This has also been called the "Amotivational
syndrome",
since such persons have little motivation. It has also
been called "Organic Brain Syndrome", a pattern
of effects on the brain.
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HOW LONG DOES MARIJUANA STAY IN THE BODY AFTER IT IS SMOKED?
THC is fat soluble ["lipophylic"]. It is absorbed
into many fat-rich tissues and organs in the body, and builds
up in organs such as the brain, liver, lungs, and reproductive
organs. Laboratory tests have shown traces of THC in the
body for up to a month after the marijuana was smoked.
Because it is stored in the body, marijuana effects may persist
for days or weeks with regular use. The fact that THC is stored
may contribute to tolerance.
CAN MARIJUANA CAUSE DEPENDENCE?
Physical and psychological dependence occur with regular
marijuana use. Tolerance to marijuana [the need to take more
and more
of the drug over time to get the original effect], has been
shown. Dependent users who stop taking the drug feel withdrawal
symptoms. These include irritability, sleep problems, loss
of appetite and weight, sweating, and stomach upset.
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HOW CAN MARIJUANA AFFECT YOUNG PEOPLE?
In addition to the health and safety risks given above, a
further problem for young people is the drug's effect on growing
up. Marijuana use, like any other drug use, can interfere with
the development of social and psychological skills. Young people
need to learn how to make decisions, handle success and failure,
and form their own beliefs and values. Marijuana and other
drugs can interfere with young people becoming mature, independent,
and responsible.
The effects of marijuana can also interfere with learning.
They impair the user's thinking, reading, verbal, and math
skills.
WHAT CONCERNS YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT MARIJUANA?
Concern about physical and psychological effects are the most
common reasons young people give not to start using marijuana.
Reasons teens give for quitting include not feeling like getting
high, fear of becoming dependent, and parental disapproval.
Availability and expense are not major reasons to stop.
According to young people surveyed, problems associated
with marijuana use [and the percentage of users reporting
this]
include:
- Interference with thinking [43%]
- Less energy [40% of users]
- Involvement with people who have a bad influence [33%]
- Hurt school or job performance [33%]
- Makes them less interested in other activities [30%]
- Caused them to behave in ways they later regretted [25%].
Also indicated were hurt relationships with parents, and hurt
relationships with significant others.
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HOW DOES MARIJUANA AFFECT MEN'S REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS?
Studies have found that marijuana use can lower the levels
of the male sex hormone testosterone. Use can also diminish
the sperm count in young adults, and can damage sperm. Marijuana
may also interfere with the physical and sexual development
of adolescent males. These effects may be linked to the build-up
of THC in the reproductive organs.
HOW DOES MARIJUANA AFFECT WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS?
Female animal studies show that the drug interferes with the
female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, and with the
growth hormone from the pituitary gland. These effects may
be linked to the build-up of THC in body organs.
CAN MARIJUANA AFFECT PREGNANCY?
Using marijuana during pregnancy creates risks for the unborn
child. THC crosses the placenta, especially in early pregnancy.
It may have a toxic effect on the fetus. The drug may interfere
with the supply of nourishment to the baby through the placenta.
Smoking marijuana, like smoking cigarettes, raises levels
of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in the blood. This reduces
the oxygen supply to the fetus. Animal studies suggest that
marijuana may cause spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, and
low birth weight. Low birth weight is a sign of poor infant
health. Studies suggest that marijuana use during pregnancy
may also affect the baby after birth, causing mental retardation,
poor sleep patterns, and other problems. Prenatal exposure
to marijuana may impair the baby's decision-making ability,
memory, reasoning, and attention span.
A woman who is pregnant, considering pregnancy, or breastfeeding
should not use marijuana.
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HOW DOES MARIJUANA AFFECT DRIVING?
Even low doses of marijuana impair driving skill. The drug
significantly affects judgment, caution, and concentration.
It also affects perception, causing "tunnel vision," slower
adjustment of the eyes to changes in light, and impaired
judgment of speed and time. Marijuana causes drowsiness and
impairs
motor skills. Marijuana and driving do not mix. After alcohol,
marijuana is the drug found most often in crash-involved
drivers.
Marijuana is often used in combination with alcohol or other
drugs, which adds to the dangers.
DO MARIJUANA USERS GO ON TO USE OTHER DRUGS?
Surveys show that regular marijuana users are more likely
than nonusers to experiment with other drugs. In this respect
marijuana, like tobacco and alcohol, not only causes serious
problems itself, but is also considered a "gateway" drug
to other drug use.
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HOW ARE PEOPLE USUALLY INTRODUCED TO MARIJUANA?
Most people are introduced to marijuana by people of their
own age. These are usually acquaintances, friends, or siblings.
Introduction can occur early. Among 1994 eighth graders, 4.6%
reported using marijuana by the end of sixth grade.
Smoking tobacco is considered a "first step" which
usually occurs before someone first smokes marijuana.
HOW
MANY PEOPLE USE MARIJUANA?
The 1993 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse found that
marijuana had been used at least once in their lives by
- 11.7 percent of youth aged 12 to 17
- 47.4 percent of those aged 18 to 24
- 59.2 percent of those aged 26 to 34
- 26.6 percent of those over 35
Current use [within the past month] was reported by
- 4.9 percent of youth 12 to 17
- 11.1 percent of those aged 18 to 25
- 6.7 percent of those aged 26 to 34
- 1.9 percent of those aged over 35
Most young people have never used marijuana, and even fewer
are "current" users. However, according to
a 1995 survey, marijuana use by United States students
in
eighth,
tenth, and twelfth grades has increased over the past
several years. This increased use reverses a gradual
decline in
marijuana use which had occurred from 1979 to 1991.
| Marijuana/Hashish use in
lifetime |
| |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
| Eighth Grade |
10.2 |
11.2 |
12.6 |
16.7 |
19.9 |
| Tenth Grade |
23.4 |
21.4 |
24.4 |
30.4 |
34.1 |
| Twelfth Grade |
36.7 |
32.6 |
35.3 |
38.2 |
41.7 |
| Marijuana/Hashish use in
past 30 days |
| |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
| Eighth Grade |
3.2 |
3.7 |
5.1 |
7.8 |
9.1 |
| Tenth Grade |
8.7 |
8.1 |
10.9 |
15.8 |
17.2 |
| Twelfth Grade |
13.8 |
11.9 |
15.5 |
19.0 |
21.2 |
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DOES MARIJUANA HAVE MEDICAL USES?
Marijuana was once considered for treatment of nausea and
glaucoma, but programs using marijuana for medical purposes
are now discontinued. Other drugs and medical procedures can
treat these problems without marijuana's side effects.
LEGAL INFORMATION
Marijuana, hashish, hash oil, and related cannabis products
are controlled substances under Michigan and federal law. Use,
possession, delivery, possession with intent to deliver, and
manufacture of the drug are all illegal. Penalties include
imprisonment and fines. Certain penalties are mandatory.
Penalties are increased if a person eighteen years or older
distributes the drug to a person under eighteen who is
at least three years younger than the distributor, or possesses
the
drug on or near school property." [Sect. 333.7410]
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