5.19 Understanding Marijuana: Effects, Users, and Societal Implications

Marijuana: Overview and Effects

  • Recent Legalization in Canada

    • Marijuana is now legal in Canada, necessitating an update to prior illegal status information in educational material.

  • Definition of Marijuana

    • Marijuana is made from the leaves and buds of the cannabis plant.

    • Leads to a range of effects:

    • Euphoria and relaxation.

    • Potential negative effects: hallucinations and paranoia.

    • Influence of top-down processes on drug experience and expectations.

  • Psychoactive Ingredient

    • The main psychoactive component of marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

    • THC mimics anandamide, a natural brain chemical.

Impact on Brain Function

  • Mechanism of Action

    • Anandamide binds to cannabinoid receptors, affecting:

    • Sleep

    • Memory

  • Effects of THC

    • THC mimics anandamide, leading to stereotypical behaviors:

    • Increase in sleepiness and forgetfulness, contributing to the notion of "spacey" users.

    • Stimulation of hunger, leading to "munchies".

    • Potential for pain reduction, with increased research focus due to the opioid crisis.

Risk Profile of Marijuana

  • Comparison to Other Drugs

    • Marijuana has a comparatively better risk profile than stimulants and opiates.

    • Tolerance develops more slowly in marijuana users.

    • Lower risk of dependence, although misuse can lead to addiction.

Trends in Usage

  • Youth Engagement with Marijuana

    • High rates of marijuana use among Canadian youth influenced legalization.

    • Data from surveys - % of Grade 12 students who have tried drugs:

    • Alcohol: Highest

    • Tobacco: Second

    • Marijuana: Third

    • Legalization aimed to regulate access similarly to alcohol, decreasing underage use.

Safety Concerns and Impairments

  • Cognitive Impairments

    • Memory deficiencies, particularly in users due to cannabinoid receptor presence in the brain's critical areas.

      • Frontal Lobes: Important for executive function, impairments affect decision making, risk assessment, and impulse control.

      • Hippocampus: Key for memory formation, where THC can cause notable impairments.

      • Cerebellum: Essential for motor coordination, leading to reduced fluidity in movement.

  • Driving Under Influence

    • Impairments from marijuana can severely affect driving capability:

    • Affected frontal lobe function leads to poor decision-making and risk assessment.

    • Impaired motor functions increase accident risks.

    • Common misconceptions exist that suggest drivers perform better when under the influence, which is dangerous and inaccurate.

Age-related Considerations

  • Developmental Aspects

    • Younger users (adolescents) face greater risks of impairments due to ongoing brain development into their mid-20s.

    • Users starting marijuana at a younger age or using it excessively face increased risks of cognitive impairment.

Societal Implications and Debate

  • Legalization Debate

    • Arguments for and against legalization are diverse and impactful.

    • Legalization can account for societal costs of marijuana versus drugs like alcohol, which has higher rates of aggression and violence.

    • Alcohol's costs: drunk driving, higher propensity for violence.

    • Marijuana's effects are generally more sedative, causing drowsiness rather than aggression.

  • Practical Age Restrictions

    • Manitoba sets legal age for use, purchase, and possession at 19, which is not based on strict scientific consensus but rather practical needs and social norms.

    • Suggested age of 25 based on research could be impractical, as it would not resolve access for existing users among youths.

Conclusion

  • Grand Experiment

    • The legalization of marijuana represents a societal experiment; time will reveal the effectiveness and societal impacts of this change.