Cannabis and Marijuana

What is marijuana? Marijuana (grass, pot, weed) is the common name for the drug made from the plant Cannabis sativa. Marijuana (grass, pot, weed) is the common name for the drug made from the plant Cannabis sativa. The main mind-altering (psychoactive) ingredient in marijuana is THC. The main mind-altering (psychoactive) ingredient in marijuana is THC. The "joint" is made from the dried particles of the plant. The amount of THC in the marijuana determines how strong its effects will be. (The type of plant, the weather, the soil, the time of harvest etc, determine the strength of marijuana). The "joint" is made from the dried particles of the plant. The amount of THC in the marijuana determines how strong its effects will be. (The type of plant, the weather, the soil, the time of harvest etc, determine the strength of marijuana). The strength of today's marijuana is about ten times greater than used in the 1970s. This stronger marijuana increases physical and mental effects and health problems for the user. The strength of today's marijuana is about ten times greater than used in the 1970s. This stronger marijuana increases physical and mental effects and health problems for the user. Cannabis, is made by taking the resin from the leaves and flowers of the marijuana plant and pressing it into cakes or slabs. Hash is usually stronger than crude marijuana and may contain five to ten times as much THC. Cannabis, is made by taking the resin from the leaves and flowers of the marijuana plant and pressing it into cakes or slabs. Hash is usually stronger than crude marijuana and may contain five to ten times as much THC.

A few facts It is now a recognised fact that some regular cannabis smokers develop mental illness. - there's a fourfold increase in schizophrenia and a fourfold increase in major depression. It is now a recognised fact that some regular cannabis smokers develop mental illness. - there's a fourfold increase in schizophrenia and a fourfold increase in major depression. There's a massive amount of evidence from as far apart as Sweden and New Zealand that cannabis actually causes these problems. There's a massive amount of evidence from as far apart as Sweden and New Zealand that cannabis actually causes these problems. Drugscope, a British drugs information service said cannabis may only precipitate schizophrenia in people who would have developed it anyway. However, Chief Executive of Action on Addiction, said: "The evidence demonstrates that cannabis use can be dangerous”. Drugscope, a British drugs information service said cannabis may only precipitate schizophrenia in people who would have developed it anyway. However, Chief Executive of Action on Addiction, said: "The evidence demonstrates that cannabis use can be dangerous”. Currently, the number of cannabis users in the UK is estimated at more than three million. Currently, the number of cannabis users in the UK is estimated at more than three million. As many as one in 10 cannabis users become addicted. Cannabis use is associated with cancers of the mouth, tongue, throat, oesophagus and lung and reductions in fertility. As many as one in 10 cannabis users become addicted. Cannabis use is associated with cancers of the mouth, tongue, throat, oesophagus and lung and reductions in fertility.

Some of the immediate effects of smoking marijuana Some immediate physical effects of marijuana include a faster heartbeat and pulse rate, bloodshot eyes, and a dry mouth and throat. Some immediate physical effects of marijuana include a faster heartbeat and pulse rate, bloodshot eyes, and a dry mouth and throat. Studies of marijuana's mental effects show that the drug can impair or reduce short-term memory, alter sense of time, and reduce ability to do things which require concentration, swift reactions, and coordination, such as driving a car or operating machinery. Studies of marijuana's mental effects show that the drug can impair or reduce short-term memory, alter sense of time, and reduce ability to do things which require concentration, swift reactions, and coordination, such as driving a car or operating machinery. A common bad reaction to marijuana is the "acute panic anxiety reaction." People describe this reaction as an extreme fear of "losing control," which causes panic. The symptoms usually disappear in a few hours. A common bad reaction to marijuana is the "acute panic anxiety reaction." People describe this reaction as an extreme fear of "losing control," which causes panic. The symptoms usually disappear in a few hours.

The long-term effects of cannabis are controversial Professor John Henry, a consultant in toxicology from St Mary's Hospital in London, found that studies pointed to an increase in schizophrenia among regular cannabis smokers. Professor John Henry, a consultant in toxicology from St Mary's Hospital in London, found that studies pointed to an increase in schizophrenia among regular cannabis smokers. It appears likely that some cases of schizophrenia are attributable to the smoking of cannabis, rather than the alternative explanation which is; that patients prone to mental illness are more likely to be drawn to using the drug. It appears likely that some cases of schizophrenia are attributable to the smoking of cannabis, rather than the alternative explanation which is; that patients prone to mental illness are more likely to be drawn to using the drug.

Withdrawal Symptoms of withdrawing from cannabis can include appetite loss, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, irritability anger and craving. Symptoms of withdrawing from cannabis can include appetite loss, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, irritability anger and craving. However, the properties of cannabis are also medicinal which is why it is so popular. However, the properties of cannabis are also medicinal which is why it is so popular. For example, if a person smokes cannabis to relieve anxiety or shyness then cessation will see the return of these feelings. For example, if a person smokes cannabis to relieve anxiety or shyness then cessation will see the return of these feelings. If the reasons include avoiding PTSD or other traumas then as the psychological dependence is removed these factors will gradually return. If the reasons include avoiding PTSD or other traumas then as the psychological dependence is removed these factors will gradually return. Some of the psychological problems are created or amplified post as well as pre the onset of use. Some of the psychological problems are created or amplified post as well as pre the onset of use.

Treatment There are no known pharmalogical interventions for the treatment of cannabis addiction and many health professionals do not believe people actually become addicted There are no known pharmalogical interventions for the treatment of cannabis addiction and many health professionals do not believe people actually become addicted Benzodiazepines are usually prescribed but rather to deal with the symptoms pre or post the onset of use Benzodiazepines are usually prescribed but rather to deal with the symptoms pre or post the onset of use Treatments are usually therapeutic in nature and focus on the causes as well as the symptoms Treatments are usually therapeutic in nature and focus on the causes as well as the symptoms