MarijuanaHash Oil, Hashish, Marijuana, Marinol, Dranabinol, Thai Stick
Acapulco Gold, Aunt Mary, Bambalachacha, Betas, Bhang, Bo-Bo Bush, Boo, Broccoli, Bud, Canadian Black, Chicago Green, Colombia Red, Chronic, Cheeva, Ding, Donjem, Dope, Dubie, Fu, Gange, Ganja, Gates, GOM (Good Old Marijuana), Grass, Greefo, Griffas, Gauge, Giggle Sticks, Gunga, Gunja, Hay, Hemp, Herb, Honey, Indian Hemp, Jay Smoke, Jamican Red, Joint, Joy Smoke, Ktutchu String, Kona, Kif, Laughing Grass, Light Green, Loco Weed, Love Weed, Maggie, Marijuana, Mary Jane, Mary Worner, Mary Weaver, Matanuska Thunder, Megg, Mexican Brown, Mexican Commercial, Mez, Moahsky, Mocoha, Moocha, Mooster, Mota, Mu, Mutah, Number, Pod, Pot, Reef, Reefer, Roach, Sinsemilia, Ses, Smoke, Snop, Splim, Tea, Texas Tea, Thai Stick, Viper Weed, Wake and Bake, Weed, Weed Tea, Yesca
Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in America today. It is a tobacco-like substance that is produced by drying the leaves and flowering tops of the cannabis plant. Marijuana varies significantly in its potency, depending on the source and selection of plant materials used.
Most often, marijuana is prepared using the dried flowers and leaves of the hemp plant. Other related drugs made from the hemp plant are hashish, made from the plant resin, and hash oil, which is made from an oily extract of either hashish or marijuana. These drugs usually are smoked in cigarettes ("joints") or pipes, or they are baked into brownies or cookies. Common slang terms for marijuana include "grass," "weed," "pot," and "dope."
Marijuana contains known toxins and cancer-causing chemicals that are stored in fat cells of users for up to several months. Marijuana users experience the same health problems as tobacco smokers, such as bronchitis, emphysema and bronchial asthma. Some of the effects of marijuana use also include increased heart rate, dryness of the mouth, reddening of the eyes, impaired motor skills and concentration, and frequent hunger. Extended use increases risk to the lungs and reproductive system, as well as suppression of the immune system. Occasionally, hallucinations, fantasies and paranoia are reported.
Cannabis appears to interfere with a person's ability or willingness to pay attention. People under the influence of marijuana do not divide their attention very well. When driving, they may attend to certain parts of the driving task but ignore other parts. For example, the driver may continue to steer the car but ignore stop signs, traffic lights or pedestrians. Cannabis will generally diminish inhibitions, impair perception of time and distance, create disorientation and can cause body tremors.
Users of marijuana generally feel the effects within 8-9 seconds after inhaling the smoke. The effects will reach their peak within 10-30 minutes, and usually last for approximately 3-6 hours. The user will typically feel "normal" within 3-6 hours after smoking marijuana.
Evidence of marijuana can be disclosed in some blood and urine tests long after the effects have dissipated. This is because certain chemical tests do not seek to find THC, Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol – the active ingredient in cannabis that causes intoxication, but instead looks for metabolites of THC, or chemical by-products. Some tests can indicate the presence of THC metabolites for up to 45 days after smoking marijuana. Two important metabolites of THC affect the duration, and perception, of the effects of cannabis. One of these metabolites is Hydroxy THC: this causes the user to feel euphoric, so that he or she is aware of the effects. Hydroxy THC usually is eliminated from the blood plasma within about 6 hours. The other important metabolite is Carboxy THC. This metabolite also causes impairment, but no feeling of euphoria, so the user might not be aware that he or she is still impaired. Carboxy THC may be found in the blood plasma for several days following marijuana use. Therefore, the user may actually be impaired for a good deal of time after his or her perceptions of impairment have ended. Excessive use of marijuana can create paranoia and possible psychosis. THC is believed to be the chemical responsible for most of the psychoactive effects of the plant.
These same effects may develop from long-term use of the drug, which has also been observed to produce sharp personality changes, especially in adolescent users. Other long-term effects include: lung damage, chronic bronchitis, lowering of testosterone, acute anxiety attacks, chronic reduction of attention span, and possible birth defects, still births and infant deaths.
Marijuana has many possible medical uses. Positive effects are claimed for ailments such as cancer, AIDS, and glaucoma. Aids can cause a loss of appetite known as the "wasting syndrome" which can lead to drastic weight loss and weakness. Chemotherapy used in the treatment of cancer causes nausea, resulting in an inability to keep down food. Marijuana's healing nature for these two illnesses is a result of its ability to increase a person's appetite as well as relieving nausea, allowing a patient to regain weight. Marijuana reportedly helps glaucoma patients by reducing ocular pressure, which can cause damage to the eye.
Drug Addiction and Drug Addiction Resource Center
Drug Education.net
Drug Photos from Miscellaneous Government Publications
National Families in Actions
Partnership for a Drug-free America: List of Drugs
