What is Marijuana?

Marijuana is the dried leaves of Cannabis sativa, the hemp plant. It is most commonly smoked in hand-rolled cigarettes but can also be smoked in water pipes. Some smokers create large marijuana cigars ("blunts") by slicing open a normal cigar and replacing the tobacco with marijuana. Marijuana is sometimes brewed as a tea and can also be used in cooking.

The chemical responsible for the mind-altering effects of marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Sinsemilla, hashish ("hash" for short), and hash oil are stronger forms of marijuana. They all have a higher amount of THC in them than normal marijuana.

How does Marijuana work?

THC is rapidly absorbed from the lungs into the bloodstream when marijuana is smoked. THC connects to cannabinoid receptors in the brain. These receptors are mostly found in parts of the brain that influence pleasure, memory, though, concentration, sensory, and time tracking.

The individual effect of marijuana on a person depends on the type of cannabis plant being ysed (different strains have different amounts of THC), whether the marijuana is smoked or eaten, how the user is feeling, and by the use of other drugs or alcohol.

Some people feel euphoric as the marijuana stimulates the brain's reward systems. It accomplishes this by causing brain cells to release dopamine. Perceptual distortions may occur: time may seem to move slowly, colours may seem more intense, and the user may become very hungry.

THC makes it hard for the user to remember recent events. A person high on marijuana will not be able to learn very effectively. Because being able to remember things is important to many tasks all of these tasks will be impaired while high. Chronic use of THC may result in permanent brain damage that makes a person lose his/her memory.

This is thought to be as a result of THC altering the way in which the hippocampus functions. This part of the brain is responsible for memory function.

Cannabis itself is definitely addictive. Chronic users are able to smoke more ("tolerance") and display withdrawal effects if the drug is taken away from them. Cannabis addiction leads to problems arising from the impaired cognitive capacity while intoxicated, as well as the general sense of lethargy and paranoia that chronic use engenders. There are specialist drug treatment programs to assist people in coming off marijuana. If this substance were "safe" and "non-addictive" there would be no need for such programs.

Marijuana and Mental Illness

Although Marijuana use is associated with schizophrenia it is not yet clear whether one causes the other. High doses of marijuana can induce psychosis as well as causing depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

Is Marijuana a "Gateway Drug"?

The British Home Office has published a report ("The Road to Ruin?") that concluded that cannabis does not lead to people trying other drugs. It suggested that people who are likely to be addicts will try substances based on their personal predisposition rather than on their previous experience with marijuana.

The Disease Model of addiction suggests that a substance abuse disorder is a primary condition that exists in and of itself. Research has consistently demonstrated that the only predictor variable regarding addiction is the availability of substances. That is to say that age, race, sexual identity, socioeconomic status, religion, or any other factor is as important in determining who becomes an addict as the availability of drugs. It stands to reason: If there are lots of easily accessible drugs around then it is easier to experiment with them and so you are more likely to develop addiction.

Treatment

From the above we can see that Marijuana addiction should be addressed. There are many detox facilities and drug rehabilitation (rehab) centers in South Africa that will be able to assist a person through admission to a treatment program. Please contact We Do Recover for more information.

Additional Resources

• MarijuanaNews.Com is a global news resource
• For Real is an educational website for adolescents prepared by the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information.
• Marijuana Policy Project is a group advocating the legalisation of marijuana in America
• Workshop on the Medical Utility of Marijuana is an NIH document examining how effective marijuana is as a medicine for various illnesses.
• National Conference on Marijuana Use Prevention, Treatment, & Research is the findings of a conference focusing on the effects of using marijuana.
• Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know is a booklet for parents by NIDA.
• MedicalMarijuana: Master Reference is a site supporting the use of marijuana as a medicine.
• Marijuana: Facts for Teens is a NIDA booklet for young people.
• Research Findings on Medicinal Properties of Marijuana is an article that supports the use of marijuana as a medicine.
• Busted: America's War on Marijuana is a report on the role marijuana has in American society.
• Marijuana Education Program: Reality Check is a NIDA resource site offering research, parents guides, and community resources
• Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base is a review by the National Academy of Sciences on whether marijuana is an effective medicine.