The use of the cannabis plant dates back well over 5000 years.  The compound delta –9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC is the active ingredient in cannabis that is responsible for it’s psychoactive properties and when present cannabis is known as marijuana.  Hemp, cannabis with less than 0.3% THC, has been used for thousands of years to produce rope, paper, and clothing.  Hemp seeds have been used as a source of food and oil.

What does Marijuana look like?  

Marijuana in its plant form is a green plant most often with five to seven fingered leaves that will typically grow to reach a height of six to twelve feet.  Processed marijuana is most commonly a green, brown or gray mixture of dried leaves, stems, seeds and buds.  Marijuana can also be seen in the form of Hash, or Hashish.  Hash is dried and pressed resin from the marijuana plant.

Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States.  It is estimated that at least one-third of all Americans have used marijuana at least once in their lives.  In a study on the availability to get marijuana most teens advised that they were able to get marijuana with only slight or moderate difficulty. 

How is Marijuana ingested?

Marijuana in most often smoked.  Commonly, dried marijuana will be hand rolled into cigarettes for smoking.  Dried marijuana can also be placed into a variety smoking devices known as pipes or bongs and smoked.  Another popular method is to smoke marijuana from a “blunt,’ a hollowed out cigar with the tobacco being replace by marijuana.  Marijuana can also be ingested in the form of baked goods that are then eaten.  

What are the effects of marijuana usage? 

Marijuana is an addictive, hallucinogenic drug that often produces feeling of well being and euphoria.  It also can cause sudden anxiety attacks, panic and hallucinations.  Marijuana increases the heart rate typically 30% to 50% above normal and can cause a moderate increase in blood pressure.  A slight drop in body temperature, reddening of the eyes, and dryness of the mouth and throat are also common with marijuana use.  The use of marijuana impairs a person’s ability to judge time and distance and affects their overall motor skills. 

What are the consequences of marijuana use?

With over 400 different chemicals in the marijuana plant, users often experience frequent respiratory infection, impaired memory and learning abilities.   The use of marijuana by a mother during the first month of breast-feeding can impair infant motor development.   Chronic smokers experience the same respiratory problem of cigarette smokers including daily cough and phlegm, bronchitis symptoms, and frequent chest colds and cause damage to lung tissue.