Marijuana

What is marijuana?
Marijuana is the dried flowers, leaves and stems of the Cannabis sativa plant. The main active ingredient in marijuana is THC (delta 9 tetrhydrocannabinol). Marijuana can range from 1% THC to 8%. Hashish can be 7% to 14% THC and hash oil is up to 50% THC. THC is a fat soluble substance and can remain in the lungs and brain tissue for up to 3 weeks. There are over 200 nicknames for marijuana, including pot, herb, mary jane and chronic.

How is marijuana used?
Marijuana is usually smoked, using a pipe, a bong or by rolling a joint. Blunts are cigars that are emptied of tobacco and refilled with marijuana, sometimes in combination with other drugs. It can also be eaten in food, for example, by baking it in brownies.

Why do people use marijuana?
Smoking marijuana can relax a person and elevate their mood. This can be followed by drowsiness and sedation. Other effects include heightened sensory awareness, euphoria, altered perceptions and feeling hungry ("the munchies"). High concentrations of THC may produce a more hallucinogenic response.

Are there short-term dangers of smoking marijuana?
Discomforts associated with smoking marijuana include dry mouth, dry eyes, increased heart rate and visible signs of intoxication such as bloodshot eyes and puffy eyelids. Other problems include:

• Impaired memory and ability to learn
• Difficulty thinking and problem solving
• Anxiety attacks or feelings of paranoia
• Impaired muscle coordination and judgment
• Increased susceptibility to infections
• Dangerous impairment of driving skills. Studies show that it impairs braking time, attention to traffic signals and other driving behaviors.
• Cardiac problems for people with heart disease or high blood pressure, because marijuana increases the heart rate

It is virtually impossible to overdose from marijuana, which sets it apart from most drugs.

Are there long-term consequences to smoking marijuana?
Respiratory problems
Someone who smokes marijuana regularly can have many of the same respiratory problems as cigarette smokers. Persistent coughing, symptoms of bronchitis and more frequent chest colds are possible symptoms. There are over 400 chemicals that have been found in marijuana smoke. Benzyprene, a known human carcinogen, is present in marijuana smoke. Regardless of the THC content, the amount of tar inhaled by marijuana smokers and the level of carbon monoxide are 3 to 5 times higher than in cigarette smoke. This is most likely due to inhaling marijuana more deeply, holding the smoke in the lungs and because marijuana smoke is unfiltered.

Memory and learning
Recent research shows that regular marijuana use compromises the ability to learn and to remember information by impairing the ability to focus, sustain, and shift attention. One study also found that long-term use reduces the ability to organize and integrate complex information.

In addition, marijuana impairs short-term memory and decreases motivation to accomplish tasks, even after the high is over. In one study, even small doses impaired the ability to recall words from a list seen 20 minutes earlier.

Fertility
Long-term marijuana use suppresses the production of hormones that help regulate the reproductive system. For men, this can cause decreased sperm counts and very heavy users can experience erectile dysfunction. Women may experience irregular periods from heavy marijuana use. These problems would most likely result in a decreased ability to conceive but not lead to complete infertility.

Is marijuana addictive?
No one would argue that marijuana is as addictive as alcohol or cocaine. However, it's wrong to say that it is not at all addictive. More and more studies are finding that marijuana has addictive properties. Both animal and human studies show physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms from marijuana, including irritability, restlessness, insomnia, nausea and intense dreams. Tolerance to marijuana also builds up rapidly. Heavy users need 8 times higher doses to get the same effects as infrequent users.

For a small percentage of people who use it, marijuana can be highly addictive. It is estimated that 10% to 14% of users will become heavily dependent. More than 120,000 people in the US seek treatment for marijuana addiction every year. Because the consequences of marijuana use can be subtle and insidious, it is more difficult to recognize signs of addiction. Cultural and societal beliefs that marijuana cannot be addictive make it less likely for people to seek help or to get support for quitting.

How do I recognize a problem with marijuana?
Some warning signs are:

• More frequent use
• Needing more and more to get the same effect
• Spending time thinking about using marijuana
• Spending more money than you have on it
• Missing class or failing to finish assignments because of marijuana
• Making new friends who do it and neglecting old friends who don't
• Finding it's hard to be happy without it

Because THC is fat soluble and remains in the body for up to 3 weeks, it's important to remember that withdrawal symptoms might not be felt immediately. If you find that you can't stop using marijuana, then remember, there's help on campus.

Is marijuana illegal?
Yes, marijuana is illegal and its possession, use, and sale carry heavy prison sentences and fines and disciplinary consequences at Brown. See the Brown University Policy on Drugs in the Student Handbook

What about the medical use of marijuana?
Marijuana's ability to enhance appetite has led to its medical use to reduce the physical wasting caused by AIDS and to reduce nausea for chemotherapy patients. Eight states in the US allow the medical use of marijuana. In 2001, however, the US Supreme Court ruled that it is illegal to sell or possess marijuana for medical use. At this time, the ruling has had little impact on those 8 states. It is unclear whether or not the federal government will actively enforce this ruling.

How do I help a friend who's having trouble with drugs?
If you are concerned about a friend's drug or alcohol use, this page contains information about different ways to help them.

Resources at Brown and in Providence
If you or a friend are having trouble with drugs or alcohol, or just have questions, there is help available.

Links you can use

This British harm-reduction web site provides extensive information on marijuana, including the basics, dangers, debates over legalization, and links.

This PBS Front-line program goes behind the scenes of America's marijuana industry, examining the production, sale and effort to eradicate the use of this drug. Topics include the criminal justice system, marijuana's treatment in popular culture and efforts to prevent use by teenagers. Online features include interviews, video excerpts and health effects of marijuana.

MA uses the basic 12-step recovery program for people who are addicted to marijuana. Online groups are available, as well as publications, frequently asked questions and 12 questions to determine if marijuana is a problem in your life. The literature section has stories by teens, help for loved ones of marijuana addicts, and the dangers of cross addiction.

This search page will give you links to marijuana facts, prevention and screening, research, treatment and statistics. Fact sheets available in Spanish.

This site has statistics, drug information and recent research reports on marijuana.

last modified: February 28, 2008