before the age of 16 long term memory may be effected
this page is still under construction please check back for updates
repeal the Hearst curse
wikipedia Legal history o _cannabis USA
Psychosis wikipedia.org
wikipedia.org history_of_cannabis_in_the_United_States
wikipedia.org William_Randolph_Hearst
norml.org
wikipedia decriminalized non-medical cannabis in United States
ohio patients network.org
state laws norml.org
drugabuse.gov drugfacts marijuana
Ohio-Bill-Proposes-Legalizing-Medical-Marijuana
drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana
nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/marijuana
here is what our federal government has to say about marijuana a whole lot compaired to alcohol info following
Revised November 2010
Marijuana is the most commonly abused illicit drug in the United
States.It is a dry, shredded green and brown mix of flowers, stems, seeds, and leaves
derived from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa.
The main active chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC for short.
How is Marijuana Abused?
Marijuana is usually smoked as a cigarette (joint) or in a pipe.It is also smoked in blunts, which are cigars that have been emptied
of tobacco and refilled with a mixture of marijuana and tobacco.
This mode of delivery combines marijuana's active ingredients with nicotine and
other harmful chemicals.
Marijuana can also be mixed in food or brewed as a tea.
As a more concentrated, resinous form, it is called hashish; and as a sticky black liquid,
hash oil. Marijuana smoke has a pungent and distinctive, usually sweet-and-sour odor.
How Does Marijuana Affect the Brain?
Scientists have learned a great deal about how THC acts in the brain to produce itsmany effects. When someone smokes marijuana, THC rapidly passes from the lungs
into the bloodstream, which carries the chemical to the brain and other organs
throughout the body.
THC acts upon specific sites in the brain, called cannabinoid receptors, kicking
off a series of cellular reactions that ultimately lead to the "high" that users
experience when they smoke marijuana.
Some brain areas have many cannabinoid receptors; others have few or none.
The highest density of cannabinoid receptors are found in parts of the brain that
influence pleasure, memory, thinking, concentrating, sensory and time perception,
and coordinated movement.
Not surprisingly, marijuana intoxication can cause distorted perceptions,
impaired coordination, difficulty with thinking and problem solving, and
problems with learning and memory.
Research has shown that, in chronic users, marijuana's adverse impact on
learning and memory can last for days or weeks
after the acute effects of the drug wear off.
As a result, someone who smokes marijuana every day may be functioning
at a suboptimal intellectual level all of the time.
Research into the effects of long-term cannabis use on the structure of the brain
has yielded inconsistent results. It may be that the effects are too subtle for
reliable detection by current techniques.
A similar challenge arises in studies of the effects of chronic marijuana use on
brain function. Brain imaging studies in chronic users tend to show some consistent
alterations, but their connection to impaired cognitive functioning is far from clear.
This uncertainty may stem from confounding factors such as other drug use,
residual drug effects, or withdrawal symptoms in long-term chronic users.
Addictive Potential
Long-term marijuana abuse can lead to addiction; that is, compulsivedrug seeking and abuse despite the known harmful effects upon functioning
in the context of family, school, work, and recreational activities.
Estimates from research suggest that about 9 percent of users become
addicted to marijuana; this number increases among those who start
young (to about 17 percent) and among daily users (25-50 percent).
Long-term marijuana abusers trying to quit report withdrawal symptoms
including: irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and
drug craving, all of which can make it difficult to remain abstinent.
These symptoms begin within about 1 day following abstinence,
peak at 2-3 days, and subside within 1 or 2 weeks following drug cessation.3
Marijuana and Mental Health
A number of studies have shown an association between chronic marijuanause and increased rates of anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.
Some of these studies have shown age at first use to be an important risk factor,
where early use is a marker of increased vulnerability to later problems.
However, at this time, it is not clear whether marijuana use causes mental
problems, exacerbates them, or reflects an attempt to self-medicate
symptoms already in existence.
Chronic marijuana use, especially in a very young person, may also be a
marker of risk for mental illnesses - including addiction - stemming from
genetic or environmental vulnerabilities, such as early exposure to stress or violence.
Currently, the strongest evidence links marijuana use and schizophrenia
and/or related disorders.4 High doses of marijuana can produce an
acute psychotic reaction; in addition, use of the drug may trigger the
onset or relapse of schizophrenia in vulnerable individuals.
What Other Adverse Effect Does Marijuana Have on Health?
Effects on the Heart
Marijuana increases heart rate by 20-100 percent shortly after smoking;this effect can last up to 3 hours. In one study, it was estimated that
marijuana users have a 4.8-fold increase in the risk of heart attack
in the first hour after smoking the drug.
This may be due to increased heart rate as well as the effects of
marijuana on heart rhythms, causing palpitations and
arrhythmias. This risk may be greater in aging populations
or in those with cardiac vulnerabilities.
Effects on the Lungs
Numerous studies have shown marijuana smoke to containcarcinogens and to be an irritant to the lungs. In fact,
marijuana smoke contains 50-70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons
than tobacco smoke.
Marijuana users usually inhale more deeply and hold their breath longer
than tobacco smokers do, which further increase the lungs' exposure
to carcinogenic smoke.
Marijuana smokers show dysregulated growth of epithelial cells
in their lung tissue, which could lead to cancer; however,
a recent case-controlled study found no positive associations
between marijuana use and lung, upper respiratory, or upper
digestive tract cancers.
Thus, the link between marijuana smoking and these cancers
remains unsubstantiated at this time. Nonetheless, marijuana smokers
can have many of the same respiratory problems as tobacco smokers,
such as daily cough and phlegm production, more frequent acute
chest illness, and a heightened risk of lung infections.
A study of 450 individuals found that people who smoke marijuana
frequently but do not smoke tobacco have more health problems
and miss more days of work than nonsmokers.8
Many of the extra sick days among the marijuana smokers in the study were for respiratory illnesses.
Effects on Daily Life
Research clearly demonstrates that marijuana has the potential tocause problems in daily life or make a person's existing problems
worse. In one study, heavy marijuana abusers reported that the
drug impaired several important measures of life achievement,
including physical and mental health, cognitive abilities, social life,
and career status.9 Several studies associate workers' marijuana
smoking with increased absences, tardiness, accidents, workers'
compensation claims, and job turnover.
What Treatment Options Exist?
Behavioral interventions, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivationalincentives (i.e., providing vouchers for goods or services to patients who
remain abstinent) have shown efficacy in treating marijuana
dependence.
Although no medications are currently available, recent discoveries
about the workings of the cannabinoid system offer promise for the
development of medications to ease withdrawal, block the intoxicating
effects of marijuana, and prevent relapse.
The latest treatment data indicate that in 2008 marijuana accounted for
17 percent of admissions (322,000) to treatment facilities in the
United States, second only to opiates among illicit substances.
Marijuana admissions were primarily
male (74 percent),
White (49 percent),
and young (30 percent were in the 12-17 age range).
Those in treatment for primary marijuana abuse had begun
use at an early age: 56 percent by age 14.**
Is Marijuana Medicine?
The potential medicinal properties of marijuana have been the subjectof substantive research and heated debate.
Scientists have confirmed that the cannabis plant contains
active ingredients with therapeutic potential for relieving pain,
controlling nausea, stimulating appetite, and decreasing ocular pressure.
Cannabinoid-based medications include synthetic compounds, such as
dronabinol (Marinol®) and nabilone (Cesamet®), which are FDA approved,
and a new, chemically pure mixture of plant-derived
THC and cannabidiol called Sativex®, formulated as a mouth spray and
approved in Canada and parts of Europe for the relief of cancer-associated
pain and spasticity and neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis.
Scientists continue to investigate the medicinal properties of THC and other
cannabinoids to better evaluate and harness their ability to help patients
suffering from a broad range of conditions, while avoiding the adverse
effects of smoked marijuana.
How Widespread is Marijuana Abuse?
National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2009,16.7 million Americans aged 12 or older used marijuana at least
once in the month prior to being surveyed, an increase over the
rates reported in all years between 2002 and 2008
There was also a significant increase among youth aged 12-17,
with current use up from 6.7 percent in 2008 to 7.3 percent in 2009,
although this rate is lower than what was reported in 2002 (8.2 percent).
Past-month use also increased among those 18-25, from 16.5 percent
in 2008 to 18.1 percent in 2009.
Monitoring the Future Survey
Results from the 2009 Monitoring the Future survey show, as in thepast few years, a stall in the decline of marijuana use that began in the
late 1990s among our Nation's youth. In 2009, 11.8 percent of 8th-graders,
26.7 percent of 10th-graders, and 32.8 percent of 12th-graders reported past-year use.
In addition, perceived risk of marijuana use declined among 8th-
and 10th-graders, and disapproval of marijuana use declined among 10th-graders.
This is a concern because changes in attitudes and beliefs often drive changes in drug use.
Recent Trends
| Use | 8th Grade | 10th Grade | 12th Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifetime | 15.7% | 32.3% | 42.0% |
| Past Year | 11.8 | 26.7 | 32.8 |
| Past Month | 6.5 | 15.9 | 20.6 |
| Daily | 1.0 | 2.8 | 5.2 |
Past Trends
| Use | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lifetime | 19.9% | 23.1% | 22.6% | 22.2% | 22.0% | 20.3% | 20.4% |
| Past Year | 15.8 | 18.3 | 17.7 | 16.9 | 16.5 | 15.6 | 15.4 |
| Past Month | 9.1 | 11.3 | 10.2 | 9.7 | 9.7 | 9.1 | 9.2 |
| Daily | 0.8 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| Use | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lifetime | 19.2% | 17.5% | 16.3% | 16.5% | 15.7% | 14.2% | 14.6% |
| Past Year | 14.6 | 12.8 | 11.8 | 12.2 | 11.7 | 10.3 | 10.9 |
| Past Month | 8.3 | 7.5 | 6.4 | 6.6 | 6.5 | 5.7 | 5.8 |
| Daily | 1.2 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.9 |
| Use | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lifetime | 34.1% | 39.8% | 42.3% | 39.6% | 40.9% | 40.3% | 40.1% |
| Past Year | 28.7 | 33.6 | 34.8 | 31.1 | 32.1 | 32.2 | 32.7 |
| Past Month | 17.2 | 20.4 | 20.5 | 18.7 | 19.4 | 19.7 | 19.8 |
| Daily | 2.8 | 3.5 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 4.5 |
| Use | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lifetime | 38.7% | 36.4% | 35.1% | 34.1% | 31.8% | 31.0% | 29.9% |
| Past Year | 30.3 | 28.2 | 27.5 | 26.6 | 25.2 | 24.6 | 23.9 |
| Past Month | 17.8 | 17.0 | 15.9 | 15.2 | 14.2 | 14.2 | 13.8 |
| Daily | 3.9 | 3.6 | 3.2 | 3.1 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.7 |
| Use | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lifetime | 41.7% | 44.9% | 49.6% | 49.1% | 49.7% | 48.8% | 49.0% |
| Past Year | 34.7 | 35.8 | 38.5 | 37.5 | 37.8 | 36.5 | 37.0 |
| Past month | 21.2 | 21.9 | 23.7 | 22.8 | 23.1 | 21.6 | 22.4 |
| Daily | 4.6 | 4.9 | 5.8 | 5.6 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.8 |
| Use | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lifetime | 47.8% | 46.1% | 45.7% | 44.8% | 42.3% | 41.8% | 42.6% |
| Past Year | 36.2 | 34.9 | 34.3 | 33.6 | 31.5 | 31.7 | 32.4 |
| Past Month | 21.5 | 21.2 | 19.9 | 19.8 | 18.3 | 18.8 | 19.4 |
| Daily | 6.0 | 6.0 | 5.6 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.4 |
“Lifetime” refers to use at least once during a
respondent’s lifetime.
“Past year” refers to use at least once during the year preceding an individual’s
response to the survey. “Past month” refers to use at least once during the 30
days preceding an individual’s response to the survey.
“Past year” refers to use at least once during the year preceding an individual’s
response to the survey. “Past month” refers to use at least once during the 30
days preceding an individual’s response to the survey.
Other Information Sources
For additional information on marijuana, please visit our Marijuana information page.Now lets read what the feds have to say about alcohol abuse
drugabuse.gov abuse alcohol
Brief Description
Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is an intoxicating ingredient found in beer, wine, and liquor.Alcohol is produced by the fermentation of yeast, sugars, and starches.
It is a central nervous system depressant that is rapidly absorbed from the
stomach and small intestine into the bloodstream.
A standard drink equals 0.6 ounces of pure ethanol, or 12 ounces of beer;
8 ounces of malt liquor; 5 ounces of wine;
or 1.5 ounces (a "shot") of 80-proof distilled spirits or liquor (e.g., gin, rum, vodka, or whiskey).
NIDA does not conduct research on alcohol; for more information,
please visit the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Effects
Alcohol affects every organ in the drinker's body and can damagea developing fetus. Intoxication can impair brain function and motor skills;
heavy use can increase risk of certain cancers, stroke, and liver disease.
Alcoholism or alcohol dependence is a diagnosable disease
characterized by a strong craving for alcohol, and/or continued
use despite harm or personal injury.
Alcohol abuse, which can lead to alcoholism, is a pattern of
drinking that results in harm to one's health, interpersonal relationships, or ability to work.
Statistics and Trends
In 2009, 51.9% of Americans age 12 and older had used alcohol atleast once in the 30 days prior to being surveyed;
23.7% had binged (5+ drinks within 2 hours);
and 6.8% drank heavily (5+ drinks on 5+ occasions).
In the 12-17 age range, 14.7% had consumed at least one drink
in the 30 days prior to being surveyed; 8.8% had binged;
and 2.1% drank heavily. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health
(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Web Site).
The NIDA-funded 2010 Monitoring the Future Study showed
that 13.8% of 8th graders, 28.9% of 10th graders, and 41.2% of
12th graders had consumed at least one drink in the 30 days prior
to being surveyed, and 5.0% of 8th graders, 14.7% of 10th graders,
and 26.8% of 12th graders had been drunk. Source: Monitoring the Future (
University of Michigan Web Site).
Yeah that it!
