MARAJUANA

DEFINED

Cannabis, also known as marijuana or ganja, is a psychoactive product of the plant Cannabis sativa.  The herbal form of the drug consists of dried mature flowers and subtending leaves of pistillate ("female") plants. The resinous form, known as hashish, consists primarily of glandular trichomes collected from the same plant material. The main active chemical compound in cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly referred to as THC

There are over 200 slang terms for marijuana including "pot," "herb," "weed," "boom," "Mary Jane," "gangster," and "chronic." It is usually smoked as a cigarette (called a joint or a nail) or in a pipe or bong. In recent years, it has appeared in blunts. These are cigars that have been emptied of tobacco and re-filled with marijuana, often in combination with another drug, such as crack. Some users also mix marijuana into foods or use it to brew tea.
The short term effects of marijuana use include problems with memory and learning; distorted perception; difficulty in thinking and problem-solving; loss of coordination; and increased heart rate, anxiety, and panic attacks.

SYMPTOMS

1. Rapid, loud talking and bursts of laughter in early stages of intoxication 
2. Sleepy or drowsy in the later stages                  
3. Forgetfulness in conversation
4. Inflammation in whites of eyes; pupils unlikely to be dilated
5. Odor similar to burnt rope on clothing or breath
6. Tendency to drive slowly - below speed limit
7. Distorted sense of time \passage - tendency to overestimate time intervals
8. Possession of paraphernalia including roach clip, packs of rolling papers, pipes or bongs

Marijuana users are difficult to recognize unless they are under the influence of the drug at the time of observation. Casual users may show none of the general symptoms. Marijuana does have a distinct odor and may be the same color or a bit greener than tobacco.

HEALTH RISKS

1. Memory loss 
2. Respiratory problems
3. Brain damage 
4. Difficulty sustaining attention 
5. Difficulty learning new information 
6. Effects on social behavior

GETTING HELP

Proper treatment for marijuana addiction is effective. 

If you or a loved one may be suffering from the effects of marijuana abuse, call Alpine Treatment Services today.

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Source(s): National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), the FDA, National Institute on Chemical Dependency 

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