Effects of Cannabis

What is cannabis? Cannabis sativa, also known as hemp, is a species of the Cannabinaceae family of plants Cannabis is also known as Ganja, grass, Hashish, Hemp, Indian hemp, marijuana, Pot, reefer, weed

What is cannabis? Cannabis contains the chemical compound THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) which is main psychoactive ingredient

marijuana, which can be smoked (through a pipe or bong or hand-rolled into a joint) or taken orally with food (baked in cookies) The resinous secretions of the plant are known as hashish, which can be smoked or eaten

What is the use of cannabis? Industrial use: fiber, cloth, paper, food, soaps, shampoos, oils Medical use: pains, seizure, muscles spasm, poor appetite, nausea, insomnia, asthma and depression. Schedule I drug Recreational use

Cannabis use and misuse: Cannabis remains the most widely consumed illicit drug (200-300 mil people) in Canada and USA Addiction –personal condition–not particular addictive, no universal definition Dependence (tolerance, withdrawal, anxiety, mood swings and disturbed sleeping) Abuse (requires one of the four symptoms)

What are the effects of cannabis? an altered state of consciousness. The user may feel "high", very happy, euphoric, relaxed, sociable and uninhibited distorted perceptions of time and space (feel more sensitive to things around them; a more vivid sense of taste, sight, smell and hearing) increased pulse and heart rate, bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils, and often increased appetite

What are the effects of cannabis? impaired coordination and concentration, making activities such as driving a car or operating machinery difficult and dangerous negative experiences, such as anxiousness, panic, self-consciousness and paranoid thoughts People who use large quantities of cannabis may become sedated or disoriented and may experience toxic psychosis, fluctuating emotions, fragmentary thoughts, paranoia, panic attacks, hallucinations and feelings of unreality

Marijuana’s impact on thought and memory: problems concentrating, attending to details, focusing on goals, performing two actions simultaneously and learning new complex information Impairs the ability to react quickly, show restraint and persist with dull exercises Alters aspects of thought and memory

Medical uses Marinol (dronabinol) is used for the control of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of cancer and to stimulate appetite in AIDS patients Cesamet (nabilone) is used for the control of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of cancer

Medical Cannabis Cancer Glaucoma HIV/AIDS Muscle spasms Seizures Severe pain Severe nausea Cachexia or dramatic weight loss and muscles atrophy (wasting syndrome)

Cannabis side effects: irritation to the lungs, risk of developing chronic bronchitis and an increased risk of developing cancer of the respiratory tract (more likely to do with smoking) exacerbation of pre-existing cardiovascular disease, as cannabis use significantly raises the heart rate decreased concentration levels, reduced short-term memory and difficulties with thinking and learning (resolved if cannabis use stops)

decreased sex drive in some people decreased sex drive in some people. Chronic use can lower sperm count in males and lead to irregular periods in females (resolved if cannabis use stops) dependence on cannabis - compulsive need to use the drug, coupled with problems associated with chronic drug use

Bibliography: Abuhasira R, Shbiro L, Landschaft Y, ‘Medical use of cannabis and cannabinoids containing products – Regulations in Europe and North America’ [2018] 49 European Journal of Internal Medicine Caisley O, ‘Church cannabis oil side-effects ‘adverse’ The Australian ( Canberra, ACT, 13 Dec 2017) Dhadwal G, Kirchhof M, ‘The Risks and Benefits of Cannabis in the Dermatology Clinic’ [2018] 22(2) Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery Earleywine M, Understanding marijuana a new look at the scientific evidence (OUP, 2002) ‘Pain Management; UEA scientists separate medical benefits of cannabis from unwanted side effects’ NewsRx Health (Atlanta, 2 Aug 2015)