Marijuana

(The “Hybrid” Drug)

Types

• 1. Marijuana – plant (cannabis) whose leaves, buds, and flowers are usually smoked for their intoxicating effects.

• 2. Hashish – more concentrated, stronger form of marijuana; high in THC

• a. effects felt within 10 to 30 minutes and last up to three hours

• b. possible gateway drug

C . Gateway drug – a drug that may lead to other, more dangerous drugs

Effects

• a. Hallucinations and paranoia• b. Impaired memory, reaction time,

concentration• c. Very similar to tobacco symptoms• d. Contains more carcinogens (anything that

causes cancer) than cigs!!!• e. Increased appetite (munchies)• f. Females, risk of infertility; Males, lowered

sperm count

Effects

• f. Use triggers the release of dopamine (feel-good chemical in brain)

• g. When so much dopamine is released, a “high” is achieved

• h. Active ingredient is THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). The more THC, the more powerful the effects.

• g. contains three times more tar inhalation than tobacco

Street Names

• known as grass, weed, pot, mary jane, kush

Other Info

Medical Purposes• a. Marijuana is legal in some states for

medicinal purposes• b. Helps control side effect such as nausea and

vomiting during chemotherapy (cancer)• c. Increases appetite and stalls the loss of lean

muscle mass for people with AIDS• d. Can only be prescribed by a doctor!