Marijuana is the most commonly used mind-altering drug in the U.S., after alcohol. It's illegal in some states, but others states have legalized it for medical and recreational use. The drug comes from the hemp plant. The chemicals in marijuana are found in the leaves and flowering shoots. THC is the most well-known of these chemicals. There are also manmade chemicals that act like THC. But they are much stronger. They are synthetic marijuana. They are sold under names such as K2, Kronic, or Spice.
Marijuana can be used in several forms. It's often smoked as a dry, shredded green and brown mix of flowers, stems, seeds, and leave. It can be smoked as a cigarette (joint), in a pipe or bong, or as a blunt. A blunt is a cigar casing that has been filled with marijuana. It might also be mixed in food or brewed as a tea. A more concentrated form called hashish is made from the tops of female plants. It has the highest concentration of THC. It's often pressed into small, solid pieces that look like a small piece of chocolate. These are often put inside a regular cigarette and smoked.
Some studies suggest that some types of marijuana are now stronger than in the past.
Users can become dependent on or addicted to marijuana, just as someone can with alcohol and tobacco. A person is dependent on marijuana when they have withdrawal symptoms. Someone is addicted to the drug when the drug use interferes with many aspects of life but they still can't stop using it. Drug use may affect their finances, school work, and social life.
Symptoms of use
These are some effects of marijuana use:
Signs of marijuana use include:
When the early effects fade after a few hours, the user can get very sleepy.
Some long-term marijuana users who smoke the drug daily may have repeated and uncontrolled vomiting (cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome). They often feel better when they take a hot shower. But many people seek medical care.
What to look for
If you're worried that your child may be using marijuana, know what signs to look for. These include the following behaviors:
Other things that may be linked to drug use include changes in school performance, skipping or missing school, lost interest in sports or other favorite activities, and changes in eating or sleeping habits.
Parents should also be aware of signs of drugs and drug items. These include:
Long-term studies of high school students show few young people use other drugs without first trying marijuana. So the chance that a child will try cocaine is much higher if they have tried marijuana.
Harmful effects
Marijuana can be harmful in several ways. Some of these are felt right away. Others damage a person's health over time. Marijuana affects short-term memory and the ability to handle difficult tasks. When using stronger types of marijuana, even simple tasks can be difficult.
The drug affects a person's ability to understand and also their reaction time. So users get in car crashes more often than people who don't use marijuana. They also may have more risky sexual behavior. There is a strong link between drug use, unsafe sex, and the spread of sexually transmitted infections.
Students who use marijuana may find it hard to study and learn because it hurts the ability to focus and pay attention. And young athletes may perform poorly. THC affects timing, movements, and coordination.
Synthetic marijuana products can have even more harmful effects. Hallucinations, kidney damage, seizures, and even death have been reported with these products.
Other problems
Marijuana smoke contains some of the same compounds that cause cancer as tobacco. But they are sometimes in higher concentrations.
Treatments for marijuana dependence are similar to therapies for other drug-abuse problems. These include detoxification, behavioral therapies, and regular attendance at support-group meetings such as those sponsored by Narcotics Anonymous.
There have been recent news stories and state laws about the possible medical benefits of marijuana and its casual or recreational use. But these don't apply to children and teens. Teens often refer to these stories and laws to defend their use of marijuana.
There's no quick and easy way to prevent teen drug use. But you can influence your children by setting clear rules about not using drugs. Talk with your children about the dangers of using marijuana and other drugs. Act as role models, and stay very involved in your children's lives.
Medical Reviewers:
The debate over the therapeutic benefits of medical marijuana is ongoing. More than 30 states in the U.S. allow for the medical use of marijuana. And a growing number allow recreational use.1 However, the federal government classifies marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance.2
This federal classification makes it illegal to possess marijuana. It also limits medical studies into the potential benefits of cannabis.
The arguments for and against the legalization of marijuana are hot topics. This article explains the pros and cons of medical marijuana and the scientific evidence.
The Pros
Americans overwhelmingly support the legalization of marijuana. In fact, according to the Pew Research Center, 91% of Americans support legalizing marijuana. Of those, 60% say it should be legal for medical and recreational use and 31% say it should be legal for medical reasons only.3
Several possible health benefits of medical marijuana have been proposed:
And arguments in favor of using medical marijuana include:
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The Cons
Although marijuana has many benefits, there are still some downsides. Some of the arguments from those who oppose its use include:
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Scientific Evidence Remains Limited
In the past, clinical trials to to determine if marijuana is effective in treating certain conditions have been restrictive and limited. However, as medical marijuana becomes more common throughout the world, researchers are doing more studies.
However, expert reviews of current research continue to advocate that more studies are needed.13 In addition, many hurdles involve controlling the quality and dosing of cannabis with what is legally available to researchers.
One review of research noted that the long-term effects of cannabis are still unknown.12 Without more research into dosage and adverse effects, scientific evidence on the therapeutic effects of cannabis will remain in question.
Researchers need to evaluate marijuana using the same standards as other medications to understand whether it is valuable for managing any conditions.
Until the federal government downgrades marijuana from a Schedule I drug, widespread clinical trials are unlikely to happen in the United States.
Sources:
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=1&contentid=1925
https://www.britannica.com/story/pro-and-con-recreational-marijuana