Marijuana: Liberator of Sin UI300 K Farwell, PhD, RN, CARN-AP

2737 BC Chinese emperor Shen Nung refers to Cannabis as “Liberator of Sin” What do you think that means?

Plants Cannabis sativa: Originated in Asia; grows worldwide; primarily used for its fibers from which hemp rope is made Cannabis indica: Grown for psychoactive resins Cannabis ruderalis: Grown primarily in Russia

Forms Hashish: in purest form is pure resin removed from surface of leaves and stems Ganja: dried flowering tops of female plants Sinsemilla: high grade (  Potency) marijuana taken from flowers. Literally means “without seeds”. (7- 12% THC) THC: tetrahydrocannaibinol, the primary psychoactive agent in marijuana Hash oil: plants boiled in alcohol, then solids filtered out, and liquid evaporated down to thick, dark substance, “red oil of cannabis” (50% THC as compared to 2-5% THC normal potency level for marijuana)

Early History 1000 AD: Social use in Muslim world and North Africa Mentioned by Marco Polo Frequently referred to in “The Arabian Nights” Napoleon ordered French soldiers in his Egyptian campaign not to indulge in hashish Alexander Dumas: described use of hashish in “The Count of Monte Cristo” 1931: US Bureau of Narcotics’ file on marijuana was less than two inches thick

More Recent History 1935: 36 states had laws regulating use, sale, &/or possession 1937: Marijuana Tax Act. Blocked access by taxing grower, distributor, seller and buyer Bureau of Narcotics prepared uniform law adopted by many states naming C. sativa’s leafy material illegal. State laws made possession and use illegal 1980: NIDA household survey documented marijuana use popularity peaked in U.S. 1990’s:  use of marijuana by young people

Causes for Concern Panic reactions: usually related to fear of loss of control and that things won’t return to normal. More common in those with less use experience. Chronic lung exposure: carcinogen benzopyrene found in greater amounts in marijuana than in tobacco Reproductive: ↓ testosterone with ↓ sperm counts Amotivational Syndrome: diminished motivation

Possible Consequences of Marijuana Use Heavy use over several weeks may lead to withdrawal when use is stopped Symptoms of withdrawal are: nervousness, tremor, restlessness, and insomnia High doses may lead to hallucinations and violent behavior Most frequent adverse reactions to marijuana are anxiety, panic, and paranoid states lasting 2-4 hours. Treatment consists of reassurance and support in a low-stimuli environment

How the Body Processes Marijuana About ½ of inhaled THC is absorbed THC is fat soluble, and is metabolized in the liver THC is excreted in feces and urine THC readily passes through placental barrier to the fetus One dose of THC can take up to 30 days to be excreted from the body

In Summary, Marijuana…. Increases heart rate & reddens eyes Has some sedative properties Has some analgesic properties (pain killing) At high dosages can cause hallucinations Recreational use can impair memory Is used to treat glaucoma, reduce nausea caused by chemotherapy in cancer pts., & increase appetite in AIDS patients

Hope junkie: I bought a gram of hope; Chopped half up into lines, I blew some up my nose but The emptiness did not subside, So I mixed the rest with baking soda And cooked it into rocks, I loaded up my freebase pipe, Added flame and watched them pop, I exhale the sweet smoke and Up! Up! with a rush of optimism, I soar! But I'm down fifteen minutes later Left broke and fiending more;

I So I scrounge a small bag of purer stuff Cook up my shot in a spoon, I pierce my skin, draw-back, push in And euphoric faith penetrates the gloom- Of my lost and lonely soul Desperately battling the monkey, That dwells on the back and drains the life Of this dispirited hope junkie. Accessed 3/5/06 at ?t=100104