About Marijuana

Overview

Marijuana is the common name for an annual herb known botanically as "cannabis sativa." The same species of plant is also known as hemp. Although this species of plant has several commercial uses, it is best known as a psychoactive (mind altering) drug.

History

The cannabis plant is native to Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries and is said to have been cultivated in India for medical purposes as far back as 900 B.C. The psychoactive ingredient in marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Some cannabis plants are cultivated to contain enough THC to have an intoxicating effect on the brain. Others are cultivated as hemp, which is the same species of plant but without a significant amount of THC. Hemp is a source of food, oil, paper and fiber widely used around the world.

Recreational Use

More than 14 million Americans use marijuana, and each year more than 2 million new users are reported, according to the 2007 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Marijuana users achieve a "high" in several ways. Dried leaves, stems and flowers are rolled into a cigarette or placed in the bowl of a pipe and smoked. The dried leaf is also brewed as a tea or added to foods.

Medical Uses

A synthetic version of THC, the active chemical in marijuana, is the primary ingredient in a drug called Marinol, which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for controlling nausea in chemotherapy patients and to stimulate appetite in people with wasting disorders such as AIDS.

For many years, government-approved researchers have been running studies on further medical benefits of smoking marijuana, but evidence to date indicates that in the long run, the negative effects of inhaling the smoke outweigh the potential benefits.

Side Effects

The immediate side effects of marijuana use include dizziness, speech changes such as slurring, cognitive problems such as confusion and difficulty thinking and learning, difficulty walking, blurred vision, increased heart rate, heart palpitations and vomiting.

People who regularly smoke marijuana can develop the same respiratory problems as cigarette smokers, including coughing, wheezing, more frequent respiratory illness and a general deterioration of the lungs.

Legal Status

Cannabis sativa is classified as a controlled substance in the United States and as such, it is illegal to grow, use or distribute marijuana. Although some states allow the possession and use of varying amounts of medical marijuana, federal law prohibits marijuana use for any reason. Since federal law overrides state law, federal agents have the authority to arrest citizens for medical marijuana use even if they live in a state that recognizes the use of marijuana for medical reasons.

Warning

Marijuana is considered an addictive drug because heavy users can become dependent on its use and may develop withdrawal symptoms similar to those of other drugs when they stop using it.