Marijuana Basics
Jul 12
posted by Clarity Testing in
Drug and Alcohol Testing, Marijuana, Substance Abuse
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Marijuana is a mixture of leaves, stems, flowers and seeds from the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa) which have been dried and shredded. These materials contain a psychoactive (mind-altering) drug, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The strength of marijuana is based on the amount of THC is contains. Marijuana is a frequently abused drug and goes by many colorful street names, including:
- Acapulco gold, Acapulco red
- Black Bart
- Colombian
- Doobee
- Fatty (Marijuana cigarette)
- Ganja
- Grass
- Herb
- Indo
- Jay (Marijuana cigarette)
- Laughing weed
- Mary, Mary Ann, Mary Jane, etc.
- Reefer
- Skunk
- Tex-mex
- Weed
- Yesca
Actually, the White House Drug Policy site lists over 200 street names for marijuana.
Marijuana is frequently smoked, either in cigarette form ("joints" or "jays") or in some sort of pipe ("bong"). "Blunts" are cigars in which the tobacco is replaced or supplemented with marijuana. Blunts may also be created which contain other drugs as well, such as crack cocaine or phencyclidine (PCP). Marijuana can be brewed as a tea or incorporated into foods, such as marijuana brownies.
The effects of marijuana vary widely among individuals depending upon previous experience, expectations, method of ingestion, and strength of the drug. Many first-time users feel nothing at all. Some immediate physical effects of marijuana include increased heartbeat and pulse rate. The user may get bloodshot eyes and dry mouth. Contrary to popular myth there is no scientific evidence to indicate that marijuana improves hearing, eyesight, nor tactile sensitivity. Many users report that marijuana induces a feeling of dreamy relaxation or mild euphoria.
Using marijuana may negatively affect short-term memory, and diminish the user's ability to concentrate. It slows reaction time and hinders balance and coordination, which makes driving and operating machinery dangerous. It can alter one's sense of time, lead to disturbed perceptions and thought, and lower inhibitions. Regular marijuana users suffer higher rates of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts than non-users. Schizophrenics who use marijuana regularly may experience exacerbated psychotic symptoms.
The effects of smoking marijuana are usually felt in a few minutes and may last for two or three hours. When marijuana is consumed in tea or foods, the onset of action may be slower.
Contrary to popular belief, marijuana can be addictive. It is considered a "gateway drug" in that many people who use marijuana will progress to using other, potentially more dangerous drugs. Furthermore, smoking marijuana can cause cancer. One joint contains about the same amount of cancer-causing chemicals as five tobacco cigarettes. Chronic marijuana smokers often suffer frequently from chest colds, bronchitis, emphysema and bronchial asthma. Evidence shows that it may also reduce the immune system's power to fight infection and disease.
Marijuana use is widespread and in some circles, the drug is considered to be harmless. Since marijuana may have medicinal uses as well as recreational purposes, some advocates for the drug feel it is "therapeutic." Medical marijuana remains controversial, but, in all cases, would be administered under strict and close medical supervision.
It can be difficult to determine if a person has used marijuana. Users do not necessarily smoke the drug (which can leave a telltale odor) and not all users will exhibit physical signs, such as bloodshot eyes.
Urine drug testing can detect marijuana use up to about three days after ingestion. More sensitive blood tests may find traces of marijuana up to four weeks after ingestion. Because urine drug testing only detects relatively recent marijuana use, regular marijuana users often deliberately abstain from the drug for several days in advance of scheduled urine tests.
References:
http://www.well.com/user/woa/fspot.htm