Chapter 7 - Marijuana

CANNABIS PRODUCTS AND CONCENTRATION LEVELS OF THC Marijuana --- serrated cannabis leaves, 6-8 percent THC Marijuana --- serrated cannabis leaves, 6-8 percent THC Sinsemilla --- seedless portion of the cannabis plant, Sinsemilla --- seedless portion of the cannabis plant, 8-15 percent THC 8-15 percent THC Hashish --- resin from cannabis plant, 8-14 percent THC Hashish --- resin from cannabis plant, 8-14 percent THC Hashish oil, hashish oil crystals --- hashish that is boiled in alcohol then filtered, percent THC Hashish oil, hashish oil crystals --- hashish that is boiled in alcohol then filtered, percent THC

A movie poster of this 1942 film, which followed the infamous Reefer Madness Such films were linked to the anti-marijuana campaign led by the FBN.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE HISTORY OF MARIJUANA 2737 B.C. --- First reference to a cannabis plant 2737 B.C. --- First reference to a cannabis plant 1920s --- Recreational use of marijuana limited to jazz musicians and people in show business 1920s --- Recreational use of marijuana limited to jazz musicians and people in show business Marijuana Tax Act virtually illegalizes marijuana in the U.S Marijuana Tax Act virtually illegalizes marijuana in the U.S. 1960s --- Marijuana smoking becomes widespread among American youth. 1960s --- Marijuana smoking becomes widespread among American youth. 1990s-present --- Medical applications of marijuana draw increasing attention and controversy. 1990s-present --- Medical applications of marijuana draw increasing attention and controversy.

How THC Moves Through The Body Rapidly absorbed from the lungs Rapidly absorbed from the lungs Much gone in a few hours-but accumulates in liver, kidneys, spleen, and testes Much gone in a few hours-but accumulates in liver, kidneys, spleen, and testes Joint-10-20% of THC in the joint is transferred to body; pipe-40-50%; bong- most efficient Joint-10-20% of THC in the joint is transferred to body; pipe-40-50%; bong- most efficient About 50% still in body 24 hrs. after smoking About 50% still in body 24 hrs. after smoking

Liver converts THC to other compounds- may remain for several days Liver converts THC to other compounds- may remain for several days Effects on mental & physical functioning can last for days Effects on mental & physical functioning can last for days Very lipid soluble-remains in body Very lipid soluble-remains in body Eaten-effects occur slower and last longer Eaten-effects occur slower and last longer

Effects on the Brain Cannabinoid receptors Cannabinoid receptors Anadamide-binds with cannabinoid receptors Anadamide-binds with cannabinoid receptors 2-AG-also activates THC receptors-170 more 2-AG than anadamide 2-AG-also activates THC receptors-170 more 2-AG than anadamide Hippocampus-formation of new memories- high concentration of cannabinoid receptors Hippocampus-formation of new memories- high concentration of cannabinoid receptors

Most well-established adverse effect on mental function Most well-established adverse effect on mental function Animals-THC-perform as poorly as those with a damaged hippocampus Animals-THC-perform as poorly as those with a damaged hippocampus THC-eliminated from their bodies-return to normal THC-eliminated from their bodies-return to normal 2-AG also effects hippocampus 2-AG also effects hippocampus New studies-adolescents are more likely to have problems with learning and memory New studies-adolescents are more likely to have problems with learning and memory

Also-fewer unpleasant side effects in adolescents-more likely to continue using Also-fewer unpleasant side effects in adolescents-more likely to continue using Does marijuana kill brain cells? “At present the weight of scientific evidence suggests that it does”. But not for most people Does marijuana kill brain cells? “At present the weight of scientific evidence suggests that it does”. But not for most people Rats-extremely high doses of THC for several months-cell damage in hippocampus Rats-extremely high doses of THC for several months-cell damage in hippocampus

Other studies-realistic amounts of THC- hippocampal cells didn’t survive (in a culture) Other studies-realistic amounts of THC- hippocampal cells didn’t survive (in a culture) Also, decreased ability of hippocampal cells to make connections w/other cells in the culture Also, decreased ability of hippocampal cells to make connections w/other cells in the culture Rhesus monkeys-exposed to reasonable amount of smoke-1 year-no evidence of neuronal death Rhesus monkeys-exposed to reasonable amount of smoke-1 year-no evidence of neuronal death

May be worse effects if brain is still maturing May be worse effects if brain is still maturing Effects last after marijuana use is stopped Effects last after marijuana use is stopped Cerebellum and basal ganglia-rich in cannabinoid receptors Cerebellum and basal ganglia-rich in cannabinoid receptors Brain stem-no receptors-virtually impossible to OD on marijuana Brain stem-no receptors-virtually impossible to OD on marijuana

No evidence it causes heart disease or heart attack No evidence it causes heart disease or heart attack Lungs: Dies chronic marijuana use impair lung function? Yes-many studies Lungs: Dies chronic marijuana use impair lung function? Yes-many studies Also, abnormal appearance and cell organization Also, abnormal appearance and cell organization Is marijuana smoke 100x more toxic than tobacco smoke? Is marijuana smoke 100x more toxic than tobacco smoke?

Tar, carbon monoxide, cyanide- comparable in both Tar, carbon monoxide, cyanide- comparable in both Benzopyrene-greater in marijuana smoke Benzopyrene-greater in marijuana smoke Does marijuana smoking cause lung cancer? Does marijuana smoking cause lung cancer? Most believe a link will be established Most believe a link will be established One study-DNA damage in cells-precursor to lung cancer One study-DNA damage in cells-precursor to lung cancer

3-4 joints a day-chronic bronchitis as often as cigarette smokers who smoke 1 pack a day 3-4 joints a day-chronic bronchitis as often as cigarette smokers who smoke 1 pack a day Reproductive system: doesn’t make you sterile Reproductive system: doesn’t make you sterile Decreases probability of conception Decreases probability of conception Men: reduces testosterone levels & sperm count; increases abnormally formed sperm Men: reduces testosterone levels & sperm count; increases abnormally formed sperm Women: irregular periods; reduction in leutenizing hormone (LH)-necessary for egg to implant in uterus Women: irregular periods; reduction in leutenizing hormone (LH)-necessary for egg to implant in uterus

Copyright (c) Pearson Education 2010 MARIJUANA EFFECTS ON DRIVING Driving ability is impaired while under the influence of marijuana. Driving ability is impaired while under the influence of marijuana. Not a matter of reaction time Not a matter of reaction time Difficulty lies in the ability to attend to peripheral information and in making an appropriate response while driving. Difficulty lies in the ability to attend to peripheral information and in making an appropriate response while driving.

Psychological Effects High-intellectually interesting and emotionally pleasing High-intellectually interesting and emotionally pleasing Improvement in sense perceptions Improvement in sense perceptions Sense of euphoria and well-being Sense of euphoria and well-being Sharpened sense of sight and sound Sharpened sense of sight and sound May feel creativity is increased May feel creativity is increased Time passes slowly Time passes slowly Sometimes sleepy and dreamy Sometimes sleepy and dreamy

Tolerance, Dependence, and Withdrawal Tolerance: less a feeling of being high; placebos; significant learning effect; reverse tolerance? No-efficient smoking and buildup of THC in system Tolerance: less a feeling of being high; placebos; significant learning effect; reverse tolerance? No-efficient smoking and buildup of THC in system Psychological Dependence: not many experience loss of control Psychological Dependence: not many experience loss of control Physical Dependence: marijuana withdrawal is usually mild Physical Dependence: marijuana withdrawal is usually mild Copyright (c) Pearson Education 2010

One study: 10 or 30 mg oral doses every 3-4 hrs for 21 days-irritability, restlessness, insomnia, sweating, mild nausea; symptoms went away when THC was readministered One study: 10 or 30 mg oral doses every 3-4 hrs for 21 days-irritability, restlessness, insomnia, sweating, mild nausea; symptoms went away when THC was readministered Nucleus accumbens Nucleus accumbens Copyright (c) Pearson Education 2010

Effects on Memory Long term memory and cognitive functioning? Long term memory and cognitive functioning? Appears to have effects for 48 hrs after smoking Appears to have effects for 48 hrs after smoking Study-day after last use, daily smokers had significant impairment on memory for words and pictures Study-day after last use, daily smokers had significant impairment on memory for words and pictures

Also-more errors on problem-solving tasks requiring mental flexibility Also-more errors on problem-solving tasks requiring mental flexibility Other studies – p. 160 Other studies – p. 160

Other Reported Problems Psychoses? : most smokers, modest risk Psychoses? : most smokers, modest risk Some predisposed; genetics Some predisposed; genetics Using during adolescence-relatively high risk of developing psychological disorders Using during adolescence-relatively high risk of developing psychological disorders Another reason why adolescents shouldn’t use Another reason why adolescents shouldn’t use Aggression? Aggression?

Motor Performance and Driving Impairs ability to concentrate and make corrections; not necessarily reaction time Impairs ability to concentrate and make corrections; not necessarily reaction time Lose ability to attend to peripheral information Lose ability to attend to peripheral information

Acute Physiological Effects Increased heart rate Increased heart rate Blood pressure-may increase, decrease, or stay the same (standing, sitting, lying down) Blood pressure-may increase, decrease, or stay the same (standing, sitting, lying down) Bloodshot eyes Bloodshot eyes Dry mouth Dry mouth “munchies”-true of North Americans; not Jamaicans “munchies”-true of North Americans; not Jamaicans

Enhanced sexual response; India- considered a sexual depressant Enhanced sexual response; India- considered a sexual depressant ,000 ED visits involved marijuana; 2 nd only to coke; most had other drugs in system ,000 ED visits involved marijuana; 2 nd only to coke; most had other drugs in system

Medical Uses Nausea, glaucoma, MS, seizures, chronic pain, migraine headaches Nausea, glaucoma, MS, seizures, chronic pain, migraine headaches Since 1996 – 13 states passes medical marijuana initiatives or legislation favoring medical use Since 1996 – 13 states passes medical marijuana initiatives or legislation favoring medical use

STATEMENT FROM THE INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE REPORT ON MARIJUANA (1999) “Until a nonsmoked, rapid-onset cannabinoid drug delivery system becomes available, we acknowledge that there is no clear alternative for people suffering from chronic conditions that might be relieved by smoking marijuana, such as pain and AIDS wasting.”

STATUS OF MEDICAL MARIJAUANA Eleven U.S. states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Vermont) as well as the District of Columbia allow marijuana smoking for relief of pain and discomfort, when prescribed by a physician Eleven U.S. states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Vermont) as well as the District of Columbia allow marijuana smoking for relief of pain and discomfort, when prescribed by a physician Canada permits patients to grow and smoke marijuana if their symptoms have been certified by a physician as warranting this treatment Canada permits patients to grow and smoke marijuana if their symptoms have been certified by a physician as warranting this treatment

U.S. SUPREME COURT 2005 GONZALES v. RAICH Overturned 2003 ruling by a federal appeals court that shield California’s Compassionate Use Act from federal drug enforcement Overturned 2003 ruling by a federal appeals court that shield California’s Compassionate Use Act from federal drug enforcement Upheld “Congress’s power to regulate purely local activities that are part of an economic ‘class of activities’ that have a substantial effect on interstate commerce” Upheld “Congress’s power to regulate purely local activities that are part of an economic ‘class of activities’ that have a substantial effect on interstate commerce”

CONSEQUENCES OF GONZALES v. RAICH (2005) A restriction of medical marijuana to intrastate (within a state) commerce could not be guaranteed. A restriction of medical marijuana to intrastate (within a state) commerce could not be guaranteed. Therefore, federal jurisdiction takes over. Therefore, federal jurisdiction takes over. The federal prohibition of possession and use of marijuana for medical purposes remains in force, even in those states that permit it. The federal prohibition of possession and use of marijuana for medical purposes remains in force, even in those states that permit it.

Legalization/Decriminalization Pharmacological, social, and economic viewpoints Pharmacological, social, and economic viewpoints 2 principal factors that change attitudes and laws=culture and time 2 principal factors that change attitudes and laws=culture and time 1930s-marijuana led to violent behavior 1930s-marijuana led to violent behavior 1940s-studies indicated marijuana was relatively harmless; didn’t change personality of user 1940s-studies indicated marijuana was relatively harmless; didn’t change personality of user

1950s & 1960s-few scientific studies 1950s & 1960s-few scientific studies 1970s-AMA and ABA-suggested reducing or even eliminating criminal penalties for possession of small amount 1970s-AMA and ABA-suggested reducing or even eliminating criminal penalties for possession of small amount 1980s (Reagan)-”War on Drugs” 1980s (Reagan)-”War on Drugs” 1990s-marijuana use increased; between , used by yr olds doubled 1990s-marijuana use increased; between , used by yr olds doubled Future? Future?