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History
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Used as a form of medication
1800’s wide spread use in France
1890 hemp is the #1 cash crop in the South.
1920’s increase in use for recreation
1930’s anti-marijuana crusades
– killer weed
• 1950’s Gateway drug
• 1960 Act of Rebellion
Marijuana
• Classified as “an other drug”
• Psychoactive chemical--THC
• Has both stimulant and depressant
qualities
• Debate over Legalization
• Is considered by some to be an
unrecognized drug.
Marijuana
• Hashish: Potent form made from resin of
the dried female flower. THC content of
10 to 20%.
• Ganja: Taken from the leaves of the
plant. THC content of 5 to 8%
Effects of Marijuana Use
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ROA: Smoke, oral
Effects are almost immediate
Peak effects occur within the 1 hour after use.
Levels drop quickly, but can still be detected up
to 12 hours after use in the blood stream.
• Half-life of 30 hours to 4 day
Marijuana
• THC content of Marijuana in the US rarely
exceeds 8%, typically 4 to 5%.
• Average joint contains .5 to 1 gram of marijuana.
• THC content of 5% yields 50 mlgrms. Of THC
• 25 t0 50% of THC is available in smoke, yielding
12 to 25 mlgrms.
• Absorption of social smoking is .4 to 12 mlgrms
Immediate Physical and
Psychological Effects of
Marijuana use
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Relaxation
Altered sense of hearing, time, and vision
Dilated pupils
Euphoria
Increased heart rate and appetite
Memory Impairment
Urine Testing
Urine testing is completed to identify the
metabolites of THC.
These metabolites can be detected in the
body for 30 to 45 days.
Central Nervous System
• Recreational Dose
– altered perception of time
– mild euphoria
– slowed reaction time
– impaired memory functioning
– impairment of coordination
Central Nervous System
• High/Toxic Dose
– intense emotional response
– sensory distortion
– mild hallucination
– anxiety
– depersonalization
– psychotic episode
Cardiovascular System
• Increased heart rate
• Dilation of blood vessels in eyes
Pulmonary System
• Altered lung function
• Bronchial irritation
Immune System
• Immune system suppression
Reproductive System
• Reduction of testosterone
• Reduction in fertility
• Crosses placental barrier -correlated to
cognitive/behavioral problems in children
Tolerance
Tolerance develops rapidly, but disappears rapidly
too.
Withdrawal symptoms include restlessness,
irritability, mild agitation, insomnia, sleep
disturbances, and nausea.
Dependence:
Mild to Moderate Physical and Psychological
Dependence
Therapeutic Uses
• Approved Uses:
• Marinol (synthetic THC) used as an appetite
stimulant for AIDS and cancer patients.
• Dronabinol treatment for nausea and vomiting in
cancer patients. Reduction of muscle spasms in
people with Multiple Sclerosis and reduction of
intraocular pressure in glaucoma.
Legal Issues
LOUISIANA
Possession (no quantity specified; usually under 2 oz.
in one container):
0-6 months; $500 (1st offense)
0-5 hard labor; up to $2,000 (2nd offense)
0-20 hard labor (3rd offense)
Possession with intent to distribute, cultivation or sale:
<60 lbs.: 5-30 hard labor; up to $50,000
>=60 lbs.: 5-30 hard labor;
$25,000-$50,000; no probation or parole
Legal Issues
• Possession with intent to distribute, cultivation or
sale:
>=2000 lbs.: 10-40 hard labor;
$50,000-$200,000; no probation or parole
>=10,000 lbs: 25-40 hard labor;
$200,000-$500,000; no probation or parole
• Sale to minor: penalty doubles
• Sale within 1,000 ft. of school: at least half of
maximum term for offense served without parole or
suspension
• Driver's license suspension: 90 days-1 year