Chapter 7 : Marijuana

Chapter 7 : Marijuana

Basics of Cannabis

• Cannabis: Hemp plant with a long history of use

• General term of marijuana:

  • Leaves of the cannabis plant

  • Resin contains 80 cannabinoids, including THC

• Three main products:

  • Marijuana

  • Sensemilla

  • Hashish

The Anti-Marijuana Crusade - 1930s

• Historical context:

  • Viewed as "killer weed"

  • Associated with Mexican immigration

  • Portrayed in "Reefer Madness"

• Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 facilitated illegalization

• Introduction of Gateway Theory affecting perceptions

Challenging Old Ideas about Marijuana - 1960s

• Colleges attracted students to marijuana

• Effects in movies did not align with real-life experiences

• Movement against authority present

Acute Physiological Effects

• Physiological reactions:

  • Mostly minor effects

  • Increased heart rate, bloodshot eyes

• Effects include:

  • Hunger and cravings (culturally dependent)

  • Sexual reactivity dose dependent

• Emergency department visits related to marijuana: 456,000 in 2011; ¼ from marijuana alone

Acute Psychological and Behavioral Effects

• First-time users may not feel effects

• Common experiences:

  • Euphoria and well-being

  • No enhancement of creativity

  • Sleepiness and reduced attention

• Risks:

  • Potential for paranoia and anxiety

  • Uncommon schizophrenia-like reactions

Effects on the Brain

• THC mimics anandamide, impacting brain receptors

• Understanding of function remains uncertain

Tolerance

• Development of tolerance:

  • Dose-dependent and consistent

  • Users learn to achieve desired effects

  • Slow elimination rate of THC

Withdrawal and Dependency

• Withdrawal signs in users include:

  • Irritability, stomach pain, anxiety, loss of appetite

  • Onset within 48 hours, lasts two days

• Similar withdrawal experienced by chronic tobacco users

• Psychological dependency due to cravings

Respiratory Effects and Cancer Risk

• Risks involved:

  • Damage to breathing passageways

  • Smoking one joint = five cigarettes

• Uncertain impact on lung cancer rates at this time

Effects on Sexual Function and Reproduction

• Adverse effects on men:

  • Lower testosterone and sperm counts

• Women:

  • Lower luteinizing hormone

  • No significant effect on fertility or birth defects but can contribute to lower birth weight

Long-Term Cognitive Effects and Amotivational Syndrome

• Apathy linked to marijuana usage:

  • Academic difficulties and lack of motivation

• No direct causal relationship between THC and cognitive decline

• Behavioral issues may reverse after discontinuation

• Neuroanatomical changes may not be reversible

Developmental Sequence of Drug Involvement

• Sequence:

  • Alcohol and cigarettes precede marijuana

  • Marijuana use precedes other drug use

• Most marijuana users do not progress to using other drugs

Association Question

• Statistical perspective on drug use:

  • Marijuana users are more likely to use cocaine and heroin

• Factors such as frequency and age play a role

• Twin studies indicate polydrug patterns

Patterns of Marijuana Use

• Prevalence:

  • 44% of Americans have tried marijuana

  • 36% of high school seniors

  • 13% of 8th graders

Trends in Marijuana Use

• Increasing popularity

• Potency is on the rise (including synthetic forms)

• Adulteration with added ingredients

Medical Marijuana: Muscle Spasticity and Chronic Pain

• Subjective reports favor smoking over oral doses

• Increased usage among senior citizens

Nausea and Weight Loss Treatment

• Therapeutic benefits for:

  • Cancer patients

  • AIDS patients

  • Crohn's disease

• Disadvantages of smoking:

  • Risk to lungs

  • Not water-soluble

  • Approved legal prescriptions: Dronabinol and Nabilone

Major Health Benefits of Medical Marijuana

• Treats migraines

• Slows tumor growth

• Relieves chronic disease symptoms

• May prevent Alzheimer's

• Treats glaucoma

• Prevents seizures

• Helps with ADD and ADHD

• Alleviates PMS symptoms

• Calms individuals with Tourette's syndrome and OCD

Health Effects of Cannabinoids

• Variability in cannabinoid production in cannabis plants

• Cannabinoid Profile includes:

  • THC, CBD, CBN, among others

• Effects:

  • Pain relief, reduced inflammation, appetite stimulation, anti-anxiety, neuroprotective qualities

Federal and State Perspectives on Medical Marijuana

• Shift in federal perspective over time:

  • 1999 report encouraged medical use

  • 2014: 23 states legalized medical use

• 2009: Federal policy deemed it low priority to prosecute patients

Public Policy and Legalization

• 1972 American Bar Association's proposal for law liberalization

• Legalization status of marijuana in various states since 2014

• No correlation between decriminalization and increased usage