April 19, 2006 1

Substance Abuse Education

The Use of Marijuana Mark Ellow

PharmD candidate Spring 2006

April 19, 2006 2

Purpose of this Presentation…

To explain how marijuana effects 3 very important systems of the body.

Explain the results of longer term use of marijuana.

Learn some other important facts about marijuana that may help you think again about smoking marijuana.

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What is Marijuana? Marijuana can be green,

brown, or gray in color, or a mix of all three.

The active ingredient is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). (1)

It is a mind-altering drug that effects how the brain:

Sends signals Interprets stimuli Basically effects how it

functions

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Popular Street Names for Marijuana

Pot Weed Herb Grass (2) Trees Green Reefer

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Popular Paraphernalia(devices and associated items for

usage)

Bag of Marijuana Marijuana cigarette (joint)

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Popular Paraphernalia Cont.(devices and associated items for

usage)

Bong Pipe (bowl)

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Forms of Marijuana The “shredded leaf”

form Obtained by

breaking up buds from the hemp plant.

This from is usually rolled up and smoked in cigarette papers. (joints)

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Forms of Marijuana Cont. The “bud” from Directly off the

plant Form is usually

smoked in a pipe or “bowl-like” object.

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Routes of Administration(Smoking)

Smoking is the most popular way of using marijuana.

The leaf form (ground up buds) are rolled up in cigarette papers.

No filters are used.

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Routes of Administration (Cont.)

(Smoking Cont.)

Pipes and bongs are also used to smoke marijuana.

Buds of the plant are place into the “bowl-like structure”

Bongs have a reputation of giving a more “intense” high.

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Routes of Administration Cont.

(Ingestion) Ingesting marijuana

is possible, usually through baked goods.

Effects are felt but take longer to develop.

Effects last longer but reactions with stomach can be unpleasant. (3)

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Mild Effects Dry mouth Relaxation Increase in appetite “enhanced” senses:

Touch Smell Taste Perception of humor

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Major Effects

Increase in pulse and blood pressure

Dilation of blood vessels in cornea Causes blood shot eyes

Alters coordination Effects how you operate machinery

(car)

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Major Effects Cont.(Respiratory System)

Lung cancer 4 marijuana cigarettes

= damage caused by 112 tobacco cigarettes. (4)

Increase chance of getting:

Bronchitis Laryngitis Asthma-like

conditions

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Major Effects Cont.(Cardiac System)

Increase chance of heart attack!

Increase in heart rate.

Chest pain Slows oxygen

movement throughout body.

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Major Effects Cont.(Central Nervous System)

(Main target) Hallucinations Delusions Paranoia Alters:

Mood Coordination (DO

NOT DIVE A CAR) Memory Self perception

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Withdrawal Symptoms

Lower appetite Irritability Insomnia (5) Chills Physical tension

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Abuse of Marijuana

Slow reaction time and motor skills Lowers motivation Smaller attention span Decrease in memory and learning

ability The BURN OUT feeling

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What is the Burn Out feeling?

Feelings felt: (6) Tiredness Dull Slow moving (sluggish) Inattentive Unaware of surroundings

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Other Important FactsOn Marijuana

Using marijuana lowers production of sperm in males.

Decrease in male and female sex drive and sex hormones.

The drug stays in your system for a time frame of about 1 month. Give or take a few days (depends on body

metabolism and amount of marijuana smoked) (7)

Can be traced through a urine sample

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Marijuana Pharmacology The concentration of

THC and route of administration is key. Smoking leads to an

almost immediate high.

In the cerebral cortex is a family of cannabinoid receptors. Possibly responsible

for marijuana effects.

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Marijuana Pharmacology (Cont.)

Effects of marijuana can be lowered due to different concentrations of mucus in respiratory passages.

THC is lipophilic therefore accumulates in fat tissue. Takes long to be eliminated from the

body Explains why marijuana stays in the

system for a long period of time.(8)

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Using marijuana for the physical effects has been

our topic of discussion so far.

But again there are individuals who feel psychological effects.

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Why Do People Use Marijuana?

People use marijuana for medical purposes: Reduction of pain from diseases.

Marijuana is used recreationally: It is used as a stress reliever. Acts as an “escape” from a person’s

problems. Peer pressure contributes to usage.

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Psycho/Social Effects

Marijuana use overall effects psychological development. College students loose motivation for

their goals. Establishing goals becomes hard. Multitasking does not seem as easy. Low desire to be socially active.

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Therapy Ideas and Tips For Recovering

Identify the problem first!

Group therapy and talk sessions

Discuss feelings and problems

One on one talk sessions

If you feel pressured in front of a group

Set a simple goal and strive for it.

Always stay positive!

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Summary Using marijuana is a very popular drug

among adolescents and college students. It effects the most important organ necessary for college students, the brain in the central nervous system. Marijuana does not result in life threatening situations but it still effects the body physiologically and psychologically. Even though individuals can get caught up in the drug, people are always there to listen and help. Just stay positive!

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References (1) “Marijuana: Facts for Teens.” [about 1 screen] National Institute on

Drug Abuse. [home page on the internet] 1 Feb. 2005. [date site was last updated] National Institutes of Health. [in association with] 16 Apr. 2006 [date accessed] <http://www.nida.nih.gov/MarijBroch/teenpg1-

2.html>. (2) "Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know." [about 1 screen] National

Institute on Drug Abuse. [home page on the internet] 25 Apr. 2005. [date site was last updated] National Institutes of Health. [in association with] 16 Apr. 2006 [date accessed]

<http://www.drugabuse.gov/MarijBroch/parentpg5-6N.html>. (3) "Drug Abuse: Marijuana." [about 4 screens] Medline Plus Medical

Encyclopedia. [online encyclopedia] c2005. A.D.A.M. Inc. [publisher] 17 Apr. 2006 [date accessed]

<http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001945.htm>.

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References Cont. (4) "The Effects of Marijuana on the Lungs." [about 1 screen] About.

[internet website] c2006. The New York Times Company. [in association with] 17 Apr. 2006 [date accessed]

<http://lungdiseases.about.com/b/a/163846.htm>. (5) "Marijuana Withdrawal." [about 1 screen] Narconon. [internet

website] c2006. Association for Better Living and Education International. [owned by] 17 Apr. 2006 [date accessed] <http://www.addictionwithdrawal.com/marijuana.htm>.

(6) "Marijuana." [about 2 screens] Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse. [homepage on the internet]. National Institute on Drug Abuse. [actual source of information] c1984 17 Apr. 2006 [date accessed] <http://www.well.com/user/woa/fspot.htm>.

(7) “Alcoholism/Substance abuse.” [about 1 screen] About [homepage on the internet] c2006 The New York Times Company. [in association with] 17 Apr. 2006 [date accessed]

<http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/pot/f/mjp_faq10.htm>.

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References Cont. (8) Goldfrank’s Toxicologic Emergencies. 7th ed. c2002.

The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. “Chapter 71 Marijuana” Apr. 10th 2006 [Date accessed]. Available from STAT!Ref

[database on the internet]