MARIJUANA

Chapter 13

MARIJUANA

PLANT OF MARIJUANA

MALE FEMALEMale plants and male flowers are not very potent and are not used recreationally, therefore; needing female plants together for the pollinating process (Wikibooks, 2012)

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The unpollinated flowers of the female plants are the part of the plant that is used by recreational users because they produce copius amounts of potent plant resin in order to try to catch pollen.

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INTRODUCTION OF MARIJUANAParts of the Marijuana plant

Flowers: Buds of the plant contain the highest concentrations of plant resin which in turn contains the highest concentration of active ingredients.

Leaves: Leaves are generally not used recreationally and will generally give you a headache rather than get you high. There are however ways to extract the active ingredients from leaves and the different types of leaves have different potencies.

Large Shade leaves: These are the large classically shaped leaves on the plant and are the least potent. There are extraction methods that can be performed to get something useful out of these but the result won't be very pure and many growers just throw them away.

Grow Tips: These clusters of small tender leaves are the point on the plant where new growth sprouts from during vegetation. They are more potent than Shade leaves but less potent than trim leaves or bud.

Trim Leaves: These are the sugar coated leaves that are trimmed from around the buds during harvest. The sugar coating of trichomes can make these quite potent and they can be as potent as low quality flowers with seeds.

INTRODUCTION OF MARIJUANA CONTINUED Stems : The stems are not really useful for psychoactive purposes

but they are a great source of plant fiber for rope, paper, etc. Seeds : The seeds generally contain only trace amounts of

psychoactive ingredients but they are one of the most nutritious foods currently known to man. They are one of only a handful of substances that man can sustain off indefinitely with no other food and provide all known amino acids

Trichomes : Trichomes are the oil glands of the plant and contain the highest concentration of active ingredients of any part of the plant. The flowers are sought out because they contain the highest concentration of trichome and hash is made from collected and pressed trichomes. These are very useful for determining the maturity of a plant during the flowering stage

Roots : The purpose of the roots is served when the plant is harvested. They have no useful psychoactive ingredients and aren't typically eaten

Wikibooks 2012

HISTORY OF MARIJUANAUsage of Marijuana in the United States began in the 1920’s, rose during the 1960’s and 1970s and fell every year from 1978 until 1991. From 1991 on however, began to climb.Marijuana historically has been a valued crop because of the hemp, which provides fiber, made into cloth and rope.The term cannabis comes from the Greek word for hemp.Spaniards brought cannabis to the Western Hemisphere as a source of fiber and seeds. The seeds were pressed to extract red oil used for medicinal and euphorigenic purposes (Abood and Martin 1992). Jones and Bartlett Learning, LLC 2012

HISTORY OF MARIJUANA CONTINUED

Marijuana remains controversial in many countries, which include; Botanists believe marijuana originated in Asia. Ancient Chinese documents contain the earliest

recorded name, hemp(ma), which means fiber-producing plant and considered valuable or endearing.

Ayurvedic documents from 600 BC describe an intoxicating resin from the plant.

Other sources report the first known record of marijuana use in the Book of Drugs, written about 2737 BC by Chinese Emperor Shen Nung. He prescribed marijuana to treat gout, malaria, gas pains, and absentmindness.

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CURRENT USE OF MARIJUANACurrent findings regarding marijuana use (SAMHSA 2009): In 2008, 2.2 million persons had used marijuana for the first

time within the past 12 months; this averages to approximately 6000 initiates per day! In 2007, 2.1 million and in 2002, 2.2 million users.

61.8% of the 2.2 million recent marijuana users were younger than 18 when they started using.

Among youths ages 12 to 17, an estimated 5% had used marijuana for the first time within the past year, similar to the rate in 2007 (4.6%).

In 2008, the average age at first marijuana use among recent initiates ages 12 to 49 was 17.8 years. This average increased from 17 years in 2002, 16.8 years in 2003, 17.1 years in 2004, 17.4 years in 2005 and 2006, and 17.6 years in 2007.

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CURRENT USE OF MARIJUANA CONTINUED

In 2008, the youth initiation rate- the percentage of those ages 12 to 17 who had not used marijuana prior to the past year was 5.6%, and was similar to the rate in 2007 which was 5.2%.

The prevalence of past month marijuana use among youths 12 to 17 decreased between 2002 at 8.2% and 2005 at 6.8%, and then remained stable between 2005 through 2008 at 6.7%.

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CURRENT USE OF MARIJUANA CONTINUED

AGE (YEARS) LIFETIME (%) PAST YEAR (%) PAST MONTH (%)

12 - 17 16.5 12.5 6.7

18 - 25 50.4 27.5 16.5

26 - OLDER 42.6 6.9 4.2

MAJOR FACTORS AFFECTING MARIJUANA USE

The direct influence on the development of youths’ attitudes regarding drug use, is as follows: Mass media Parental role models Perceived risk Availability Peers

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MAJOR FACTORS AFFECTING MARIJUANA USE CONTINUED

In addition to the major factors of mass media, parental role models, perceived risk, availability and peer influences, six other factors must be taken into account as influencing drug use, for example: Structural factors (age, gender, family background, and

religious beliefs). Social and interactional factors (type of interpersonal

relationships, friendship cliques, and drug use within the peer group setting).

Setting (type of community and neighborhood). Attitudinal factors (personal beliefs and attitudes regarding

drug use, and personality factors, such as, self-esteem, level of security versus insecurity, and maturation level).

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MAJOR FACTORS AFFECTING MARIJUANA USE CONTINUED

Participation in after school activities is associated with higher levels of academic achievement and self-esteem, as well as lower levels of substance abuse (SAMHSA 2007b). Regardless of family income, youths ages 12 to 17 who did not partake in any activities had higher rates of past month cigarette and illicit drug use than those who participated in four, six, seven, or more activities (SAMHSA 2007b).

Religious involvement affects illicit drug use. In regard to religious involvement, adults reported that religious beliefs are very important part of their lives were less likely to use illicit drugs in the past month than those who reported that religious beliefs are not a very important part of their lives (6.1% versus 14.3%) (SAMHSA 2007b).

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BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS OF MARIJUANA USE

The high, in most individuals that use marijuana impairs and affects driving performance and critical thinking skills, depending on the amount that is taken. Low to moderate doses of cannabis produce euphoria and a pleasant state of relaxation (Goldstein 1994). In the state of euphoria, after holding the smoke in the lungs, the user experiences a dry mouth, elevated heartbeat, and some loss of coordination and balance, coupled with slower reaction times and feeling a mild to elevated intoxication. The blood vessels in the eyes expand, which accounts for reddening of the eyesThe state of euphoria that results from the high is usually mild and short lived; a typical one joint may last from 2 to 3 hours.The user also experiences altered perception of space and time, impaired memory of recent events (short term memory), and impaired physical coordination (Abood and Martin 1992).

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MARIJUANA USE

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Specific Indicators of Marijuana Use

A sweet odor similar to burnt rope in room, on clothes and so on

Roach: The small butt end of a marijuana cigarette

Joint: Looks like a hand rolled cigarette and the ends are twisted or crimped

Roach clips: Holders for the roach could be any number of common items; paper clips, bobby pins or hemostats. They are also purchased in a store and comes in a variety of shapes and sizes

Seeds or leaves in pockets or possession

Plastic baggies with the marijuana in it or an empty baggie where the marijuana once was in either the shirt or pants pockets

Rolling papers or pipes, usually hidden somewhere

Eye drops: for disguising red eyes

Excessive use of incense, room deodorizers, or breath fresheners

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MARIJUANA USE CONTINUED

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Specific Indicators of Marijuana Use ContinuedDevices for storing the substance, such as film canisters, boxes, or cans

Eating binges: An after effect for some marijuana users

Appearances of intoxication, yet no smell of alcohol

Excessive laughter

Initial use (first hour): Animated behavior, (loud or excessive talking)

Hours later: Fatigue or drowsiness

THERAPEUTIC USES OF MARIJUANA

Though the use of Marijuana for medical purposes is far more accepted than it was 7 years ago, the controversy about medical uses of marijuana remains. Medical marijuana use involves, using cannabis, primarily THC, as a drug to calm or to relieve symptoms of an illness (Chronically ill or cancer patients especially).Marijuana has been known to be beneficial and effective in the treatment of certain types of medical conditions. However, because medicines exist that are at least as effective and without abuse potential.

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THERAPEUTIC USES OF MARIJUANA CONTINUED

According to researchers and proponents for the medical uses of marijuana, the potential uses are the following: Reduction in Intraocular (Eye) Pressure; marijuana

lowers glaucoma-associated intraocular pressure, it does not cure the condition or reverse blindness

Muscle-Relaxant Effect; muscle spasms are relieved for muscle disorders

Antiseizure Effect; marijuana has both convulsing and anticonvulsant properties and has been considered in preventing seizures in epilepsy

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THERAPEUTIC USES OF MARIJUANA CONTINUED

Antidepressant Effect; Cannabis and the synthetic cannabinoid synhexl have been used successful in Great Britain for depression

Analgesic Effect; marijuana can relieve intense pain associated with migraine and chronic headaches of inflammation (Grinspoon and Bakalar 1995)

Antinauseant; the relief of nausea associated from chemotherapy (NIDA 2010; Robson 2001)

Appetite Stimulant; Marijuana appears to stimulate appetite in HIV patients

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SHORT-TERM DANGERS OF MARIJUANA

Other problems associated with smoking marijuana include: Impaired short-term memory and ability to learn (NIDA

2010) Difficulty thinking and problem solving (NIDA 2010) Anxiety attacks and feelings of paranoia Impaired muscle coordination and judgment Impairment of driving skills Cardiac problems for people with heart disease or high

blood pressure because marijuana increases the heart rate (Brown University 2007; NIDA 2010)

Psychotic episodes (NIDA 2010)

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LONG-TERM DANGERS OF MARIJUANA USE

Chronic abuse of smoking marijuana include; Respiratory problems Memory and learning Fertility Marijuana can also be addictive

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SUMMARY OF MARIJUANA USECurrently 15 states and the District of Columbia are medical marijuana states. They include; Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington (ProCon.org 2010). Eight states that have pending legislation or ballet measures to legalize medical marijuana are Arizona, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota. Out of 304 million people living in the 12 to 14 states and Washington, DC, 577,712 people are registered as medical marijuana patients (ProCon.org 2010). Legalization of the medical use of marijuana entails permitting physicians to prescribe marijuana for medical problems, with the idea that terminally ill as well as other types of sick patients could be given the option of smoking marijuana or taking the already–approved Marinol;(dronabinol) and FDA-approved THC in capsule form. Jones and Bartlett Learning, LLC 2012

CONCLUSION OF MARIJUANA USE AND ABUSE

As a counselor, we are faced with many people with many different problems. Drugs are drugs and no matter the case, the addiction seems to be the same. We are challenged to help them achieve the hardest step of all time, change. I believe that we as counselors change with them, figuratively speaking of course, not to get caught up in the circle of addiction but becoming the one who helps the evil dissipate and free the spirit of change!

REFERENCES:1) Read chapter 13 on Marijuana2) Viewed the documentary, Marijuana: A Chronic History3) PowerPoint on Cannabis4) PowerPoint 2 on Cannabis5) Viewed the award winning documentary, Grass: A History of Marijuana narrated by Woody Harrelson6) Viewed the  MSNBC Discussion on drug decriminalization.7) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWE-Gy-tbxI8) http://www.maryjanesgarden.com/male-female.php9)http://www.marijuanaseedbanks.com/female_and_male_marijuana_plants.html10)http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Category:Marijuana_Cultivation