1. Marijuana & Synthetics
Kerry Herndon, MSW, LAC-E
Western Montana Addiction Services
Project SUCCESS- Sentinel HS

2. First Thing First…THE BRAIN
Age 25: Fully Developed
Age 30: Fully Mature
Younger Chemicals Are
Introduced, the Greater the
Risk to Brain Development
Neurotransmitters
Send and receive messages in the brain
Neuron
The chemical (message) being sent

3. Street Terms (Some of Them)
Hash
Cannabis
Afgan
Black Rock
Bhang
Weed
Broccoli
Budda Grass
Gage
Ganja
Hemp
Herb
Jane
Mary Jane
Panama Red
Puff
Reefer
Sativa
Tea
Texas Tea
Chronic
Cheeba
Blunt
Ashes
Ding
Giggle Smoke
Pot
Joint
Grass
Dope
Bush
Draw
Dry High
Dubby
Gangster
Giggleweed
Jive
Kiff
Loco Weed
Mexican Green
Resin
Roach
Smoke
Spliff
Thai Sticks
Skunk
Bammy
Blanket
Bo-Bo
Bomber
Cripple
Dinkie Dow

4. How “Dope” is Used
Smoked
Ingested
Vaporized

5. REALITIES OF WEED It is about 20 times more potent
50-70% more carcinogens than cigarettes
Inhaled deeply and held for longer periods in the lungs, increasing tar in lungs.
It is a “gateway drug” (dopamine).
Although typically not lethal, mixed with other substances (especially alcohol) it can have serious consequences.

6. More news about ganga: About 9% of people become addicted
The number increases to about 1 in 6 among those who start using it at a young age
Increases to 25 to 50% among daily users.

7. Marijuana: Short Term Bloodshot eyes Dry mouth and throat
Decreased social inhibitions
Motivation and cognition
Learning difficulties
Difficulty speaking, listening effectively
Intense anxiety or panic attacks
Paranoia
Drops blood pressure
“Whoa, Dude, I gotta sit down”.

8. Marijuana: The Brain
Impacts nerve cells, hippocampus, cerebellum, basal ganglia, and cerebral cortex.
Can cause:
Hallucinations
Delusions
Impaired memory
Disorientation
Parts of Brain that Effect:
Pleasure
Memory
Thought
Concentration
Sensory and time perception
Coordinated movement

9. Marijuana & The Nervous System
Nucleus of Solitary Tract – Sensations like nausea and vomiting
Basal Ganglia – Movement Control
Cerebellum – Body Movement & Coordination
Hippocampus – Memory, Learning, Stress Control
Cerebral Cortex – Thinking, Problem Solving
Nucleus Accumbens – Reward Center
Hypothalamus – Body Functions
Amygdala – Emotional Response, Fears
Spinal Cord – Sensations
Brain Stem – Sleep, Arousal, Motor Control

10. Marijuana & The Heart Heart rate (increase up to 50%)
Blood pressure drops
Heart attack 4x more likely within an hour of smoking marijuana compared to not smoking

11. Marijuana & The Lungs Burning and stinging of the throat
Heavy coughing
Frequent chest illnesses & lung infections
Similar problems as tobacco smokers
Cancer of the lung (20x greater w/ marijuana compared to tobacco per study in 2012)
Tar similar to that of tobacco, but levels increase w/ marijuana due to inhaling it and holding it in lungs longer.

12. Marijuana & Your Mental Health
Can induce psychosis
Anxiety
Depression
Schizophrenia
Bipolar Disorder
Panic attacks
Learning difficulties/disabilities
Emotional development
Which comes first? Mental health or triggered symptoms as a result of marijuana.

13. More on Mental Health w/ Weed
Adolescents 6x more likely to develop psychotic symptoms
10% of adolescents who use before age 15 will develop psychotic symptoms by age 26 compared to 3% who never used.
Genetically predisposed people are likely to see symptoms of mental health disorders earlier if they use marijuana.
Young men who use are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts if they use marijuana.

14. Mary Jane and Digestion
Burning and stinging of mouth/throat
Changes in potassium levels
Changes in amount of protein and Ph of urine
Some renal problems reported as a result having to digest the marijuana
UA’s
Occasional Use -10 to 14 days
Regular Use -45 days
Heavy Use – 90 days

15. Hash and the Immune System
Lowered immune system
Cancer patients in treatment may be impacted differently by the effect of marijuana on the immune system.
Suppress auto-immune system
Reduces white cell production

16. Grass & Musculoskeletal System
Slows muscle growth
Decreases muscle mass
Lowers testosterone needed
for muscle growth
Used as a muscle relaxant
Increased muscle spasms
Absorption of calcium reduced
Weakened bones (especially in adolescent women)

17. Giggle Smoke & Reproduction
Recreational use linked to testicular cancer
Cannabis receptors in the testacies
Female infertility issues
THC can be found in vaginal fluids
Interference with menstrual and ovulation cycles
Male infertility issues
Lower sperm count/mobility of sperm impacted
Lower volume of seminal fluid
Reduced testosterone

18. Other “Chronic” effects
Effects different people in a different way
BHA: Food additive ingested while using marijuana can promote health effects in lungs.
Males more likely to develop dependency
Higher risk taking behaviors
Denial of organ transplants

19. Cannabis Withdrawal Most pronounced 10-18 days after last use
Peaking at day 2 or 3
Tremors
Fever like feeling
Nausea
Muscle spasms
Loose stools
Abdominal distress
Hiccups
Anxiety
Muscle tension
Mood swings
Appetite changes
Insomnia
Nightmares/terrors
Depressed mood
Anger/Aggression
Agitation
Irritable

20. Other Things To Consider

21. Synthetic Marijuana

22. Realities of Fake Weed First reported use in the US was in 2009
First reported use in the US was in 2009
First seen in Europe in 2004
Synthetic marijuana was linked to 11,406 drug-related emergency department visits in 2010
Year Number of Poison Control Calls
,906
,968
2012 As of Dec. 31, ,200
May be harmful heavy metal residues in Spice mixture

23. Teen Use of Synthetics
1 in 9 high school seniors nationwide have used spice in the last year (2011)
More popular among boys than girls -In 2012, nearly twice as many male 12th graders reported past-year use of synthetic marijuana as females in the same age group.

24. Synthetics- Why do people use them?
Advertised as natural and safe
Lack of education about the risks
Less likely to get caught (UA’s)
Sometimes it is easier to access
Suppose to feel like marijuana, but the high comes faster and doesn’t last as long
Creates a relaxed feeling
Advertising! The packaging looks fun.

25. Synthetics & The Body Has been known to cause death after one use
Extreme anxiety, paranoia and hallucinations
Suicidal thoughts
Vomiting
Agitation and confusion
Seizures
Muscle Spasms/Tremors
Extreme nervousness
Dilated pupils
Headaches/Migraines
Violent tendencies
Slurred speech

26. Synthetics & The Heart Increased heart rate Elevated blood pressure
Reduced blood supply to the heart (myocardial ischemia)
Associated with heart attacks

27. Spice/K2: Legal?
Difficult to regulate – tried to make chemicals in Spice illegal, but it is then made with different chemicals and sold.
Says on packaging “not for human consumption”
Different brands use different chemicals and potencies, so it is hard to know how much and what you are taking.
DEA’s story about Wyoming Girl – Kidney Damage

28. Synthetics: More Info 3-5 times more potent than THC in marijuana
Addictive? YES!
Withdrawal similar to that of narcotics.
Long-term effects unknown
MIXING is dangerous!
More drugs found laced with synthetics
Many more “Designer Drugs” being developed, all out have had deaths associated with them.

29. One Last Thought…