Marijuana Information and Education Dr. Kevin Raper Compass Point Counseling
Marijuana Information and Education Section 1: What is Marijuana?
What is Marijuana? Pot, Weed, Grass, Chronic, Hydro, and Mary Jane are just some of many words that are used to reference marijuana. Marijuana is the most frequently abused illegal drug in the United States at this time. It is estimated that about 94 million Americans over the age of twelve have tried marijuana at least once in their lifetime and the average first use occurred around the age of fourteen.
What is Marijuana? Marijuana is a dried and shredded mix of stems, seeds, and leaves of the Cannabis Sativa plant. It is usually smoked as a cigarette or joint, or in a pipe and usually has a distinctive and often pungent odor. However, Marijuana can also be mixed in food or brewed in a tea. Marijuana or Cannabis is thought to have originated in Eastern countries such as India and Syria where it has been used in ceremonial and ritual aspects for hundreds of years2. However, no one is certain where or when marijuana originally came from due its widespread use. There are over one hundred different types of the Cannabis Sativa plant in the world
What is Marijuana? Marijuana contains more than 400 chemicals; including most of the same harmful chemicals that are found in tobacco smoke. Research shows that smoking one marijuana cigarette leaves about four times more tar residue in the lungs than a standard filtered tobacco cigarette. These statistics do not include the added residue of any fertilizer, manure, or insecticide that may have been used on the marijuana during growth and cultivation. Much of the marijuana that exists in the United States was actually grown outside of the country where more potent as well as toxic insecticides are still widely available for use. The residue of these chemicals can cause unwanted side effects during marijuana use such as poisoning, illness, or even death.
What is Marijuana? This course will discuss what marijuana is, the key ingredients of marijuana, marijuana s effects on the brain and body, the mental effects of marijuana, the long term effects of marijuana addiction, and the legal ramifications that are involved with marijuana abuse.
Marijuana Information and Education Section 2: Marijuana and Addiction?
Marijuana and Addiction Marijuana is the most frequently abused drug in The United States. Studies have found that after alcohol, marijuana has the highest dependency rate of non prescription drugs. Marijuana dependency is present when a person regularly smokes marijuana and experiences mood changes, anxiety, or depression when they suddenly stop or decrease its use. Marijuana dependency will decrease over time with appropriate abstaining or treatment.
Marijuana and Addiction Many people do not believe that it is possible to become addicted to marijuana. However, addiction is defined as compulsive drug seeking and abusive behaviors that are present despite known harmful effects upon one s daily functioning. This includes impairments in family, school, work, and recreational activities. Many chronic and recurrent marijuana users experience effects such as these at some point in their life. For example. Someone may choose to pay marijuana rather than pay bills, go to work, or buy food which is comparable to the behaviors of a person that is suffering from alcoholism or other dependencies.
Marijuana and Addiction Long-term marijuana abusers trying to quit report irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and drug craving, all of which make it difficult to quit. These withdrawal symptoms are a sign of addiction, and begin within about a day of quitting, peak around 3 days, and normally stop within two weeks after quitting marijuana.
Marijuana and Addiction While some people suffering from marijuana addiction do seek help on their own, a majority of the people that participate in marijuana treatment and rehabilitation programs are there because they are court ordered to participate in the treatment. Treatment options include but are not limited to residential treatment facilities, inpatient and outpatient programs, Narcotics Anonymous, and one on one therapy.
Marijuana and Addiction What is Addiction? The term addiction is defined by the American Society of Addiction Medicine as a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences to the addicted individual and to those around him or her. Substance abuse is defined as abusing a drug or other item that is the focus of an addiction such as alcohol or marijuana.
Marijuana and Addiction Addictions can occur in a variety ways at any time during a person s life. They can include things such as caffeine, tobacco, illegal narcotics, prescribed medication, and other substances. Addictions are not specific to age, gender, cultures, or ethnicity. They can develop over time, or immediately depending on a person s own will power or self control.
Marijuana and Addiction Addiction can occur in the single use of a substance depending a person s own willpower and self control.
Marijuana and Addiction People who have high stress levels are at a higher risk of becoming addicted to a mind altering substance. These substances include things such as alcohol, marijuana, and hallucinogens. People who have high stress levels and are addicted to a substance are often addicted because they use the substance as a type of release or escape from stressful situations. They then become addicted to the escape or release that they believe they are getting from the drug. It is possible to have an addiction relapse at any time regardless of being treated for addiction.
Marijuana and Addiction Brain function loss through substance abuse and addiction can be permanent. Once you have damaged the brain through the use of a hallucinogenic drug such as ecstasy, cocaine, or heroine, the damage will not always fix itself. This type of damage can cause delayed thinking responses, slowed reactions, memory loss, and loss of coordination. Think of someone that you may know in the school or community that is a frequent drug user. Do they appear to be slower than they used to be? Do they act different? Do they have a hard time remembering things that they used to know?
1. Experimental Stage Marijuana and Addiction There are four specific stages of addiction The experimental stage is exactly how it sounds. A person is trying something for the first time in order to experience or experiment with a drug that they have seen or heard of. 2. Social/Recreational Stage This state of addiction is similar to experimental in the sense that many people in this stage only use drugs when they are in social situations where the drug is present. For example, drinking and smoking marijuana while at a party or with a certain peer group.
Marijuana and Addiction 3. Habitual or Problem Stage This stage of addiction is present when a person uses a drug or substance regularly regardless of who they are with or where they are. This is a precursor to dependence as the person is still able to stop or reduce the substance without significant withdrawals. 4. Dependence or Chronic Stage This stage of addiction is the most severe due to the continued drug use despite negative consequences or effects. The Dependent or Chronic stage of addiction requires significant intervention in order to help the person overcome and treat the addictive behavior and need for the drug or drugs.
Marijuana and Addiction Continued drug use despite negative consequences Repeated legal problems related to addiction Health problems related to addiction Increased tolerance to a substance and withdrawal symptoms when a person stops or reduces the use of the substance.
Marijuana Information and Education Section 3: The effects of Marijuana on the brain
The Effects of Marijuana on the Brain Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC is the chemical in marijuana that has the most physical effect on the brain as well as consciousness. Cannabinoid receptors in the brain absorb the THC much like nicotine is absorbed when someone smokes tobacco. Most ordinary marijuana contains an average of 3% THC2. While it has been scientifically proven that there are parts of the brain that are not affected by THC due to a lack of cannabinoid receptors, there are other areas that suffer large effects and even permanent damage from THC.
The effects of Marijuana on the Brain THC bonds to receptors in the brain and activates the reward or pleasure centers by causing an increase in production of the chemical dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical that is made naturally in the brain and is used to regulate moods and emotions. When the increase of dopamine enters the brain it adds to the euphoric or high effect that is already occurring due to the THC.
The effects of Marijuana on the Brain However, once the dopamine dissipates in the brain, the user may suffer the opposite effect and actually become saddened or show depressive symptoms. This effect may also induce paranoia, panic, anxiety, fear, or even hallucinations and psychosis that may last from just a few moments to several hours as the brain attempts to correct the chemical imbalance6. This effect downtime or crash effect lasts longer in habitual and chronic users. This can be a sign of permanent damage to the chemical receptors in the brain and how they are no longer working at full capacity
The effects of Marijuana on the Brain Marijuana can also affect one s perceptions as well as their emotions. Marijuana intoxication can cause coordination problems, distorted perceptions, as well as the ability to focus, slowed reaction time, and difficulty with problem solving. These side effects of marijuana use make it extremely dangerous to drive while under the influence of the drug. Studies have shown that approximately six to eleven percent of fatal accident victims test positive for THC. While these affects may initially be a temporary condition, long term use of marijuana can cause lasting effects1.
The effects of Marijuana on the Brain Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC is the chemical in Marijuana that has the most effect on the brain. THC travels throughout the body and can cause serious problems with movement, coordination, learning and memory, and cognitive functioning as a whole.
The Effects of Marijuana on the Brain Marijuana impacts the brains ability to create and retain memories. The area of the brain with the largest amount of cannabinoid, or THC, receptors is the hippocampus. The hippocampus is mainly responsible for learning and memory. When THC attaches to the receptors in the hippocampus it weakens short term and long term memory functions The National Institute on Drug Abuse has found that the THC in Marijuana can cause problems in short term memory. This means that someone who frequently smokes Marijuana may have difficulty remembering things such as names, people, and places.
The Effects of Marijuana on the Brain These functions include the recording of new memories as well as the ability to accurately recall older memories5. Someone with an excess of THC in their system may have difficulty recording and recalling information such as faces, names, events, numbers, and descriptions even if they just occurred. The short term memory impacts of marijuana over time may cause other cognitive delays such as problems comprehending spoken words, focusing on specific points, and recalling thoughts or ideas without excessive prompting.
The effects of Marijuana on the Brain Heavy Marijuana use can cause long term mental, emotional, and physical effects. These effects include altered brain development, cognitive impairment even when the person does not feel high, and personality changes such as anxiety or depression. The long term effects of extended marijuana use may not decrease over time depending on each person s individual physical makeup.
The effects of Marijuana on the Brain While the Hippocampus contains some of the densest concentrations of THC receptors, it is only a small part of the brain that is affected by marijuana use. Other parts that are affected include the cerebellum, cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, hypothalamus, amygdala, spinal cord, and brain stem. The chart on the next slide shows how the individual areas of the brain and their corresponding functions are affected by marijuana.
The effects of Marijuana on the Brain Name Cerebellum Hippocampus Brain Stem Nucleus Accumbens Basa Ganglia Hypothalamus Cebrebal Cortex Amxygdala Spinal Cord Function Body movement coordination Learning and memory Sleep and arousal, motor control Reward center Movement Control Body Functions Higher Cognitive Functions Emotional Response, Fear Peripheral Sensations and Pain
Marijuana Information and Education Section 3: The effects of Marijuana on the body
The effects of Marijuana on the Body When marijuana is smoked, the physical effects can be felt almost immediately and may last between 1-3 hours on average depending on the potency of the chemicals consumed. Within a few moments of inhaling the smoke, the smoker s heart will begin beating more rapidly, their bronchial passages will become enlarged, and the blood vessels in the eyes will expand and become red. Research indicates that a marijuana smoker is 4x more likely to have a heart attack when they are under the influence when compared to being sober.
The effects of Marijuana on the Body Heavy marijuana use can cause several long term mental, emotional, and physical effects in habitual users. These effects include mental impairments such as the inability to effectively form new memories as well as the inability to recall older memories. Long term marijuana use can also cause depression or extended periods of anxiety and nervousness, as well as extended periods of paranoia. While these are just a few of the emotional and mental long term effects of marijuana, there are also physical side effects that may occur.
The effects of Marijuana on the Body The physical side effects of marijuana include lung damage that is 4-5 times more severe than if the person was smoking tobacco for the same length of time. This type of damage increases the possibility of lung related illnesses such as cough, flu, infections, pneumonia, or even cancer. Other illnesses may affect the body due to THC s ability to impair the immune system which stops the body from fighting infections and diseases3.
The effects of Marijuana on the Body Some people believe that smoking synthetic or artificial forms of marijuana (such as spice, K2, and other marketed Marijuana substitutes) are harmless. However, There are several physical and cognitive side effects to smoking synthetic marijuana. These side effects are often due to the fact that the chemicals found in synthetic marijuana are often unknown and can cause lasting physical and psychological damage. Psychical symptoms include heart palpitations, chest pains, muscle spasms, nausea, and seizures. Cognitive symptoms include paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, confusion, and disorientation.
The effects of Marijuana on the Body Using Marijuana during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Studies by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) have found that using marijuana during pregnancy can cause severe birth defects and developmental problems. These problems include but are not limited too: Low Birthweight Premature Labor Attention and behavior problems Speech development issues Decreased cognitive abilities Decreased IQ over time
The effects of Marijuana on the Body The effects of marijuana on the brain and body can be both temporary and permanent. While the temporary effects can sometimes deter a person from experimenting with marijuana again in the future, the long term effects of marijuana can effect a person s life as a whole. The following section will discuss what happens with marijuana and the legal system.
Marijuana Information and Education Section 4: Marijuana and the Legal System
Marijuana and the Legal System Marijuana use is illegal in a majority of the United States as well as other countries around the world. If someone chooses to use or sell marijuana then they are knowingly breaking the law and risking the consequences. While charges and sentencing concerning marijuana varies from state to state, convictions can range from simple possession or misdemeanor charges to charges of possession with intent to sell and other felony charges.
Marijuana and the Legal System Marijuana use is illegal in a majority of the United States as well as other countries around the world. The map to the right provides a visual representation of the states that have legalized Marijuana as of the end of 2016.
Marijuana and the Legal System The type of charge and the classification as a misdemeanor or a felony usually depends on the amount of marijuana and whether it is for personal use or distribution. However, many states have enacted policies for repeat offenders that automatically increase the severity of the charge. For example, in the state of Tennessee, someone with multiple misdemeanor possession charges may have their charges increased to felonies to enact a more severe punishment or deterrents such as mandatory rehabilitation, prison sentencing, strict probation, and frequent drug testing.
Marijuana and the Legal System While Marijuana laws may be different depending on which state you are in, all 50 states have some type of law regulating the possession and sale of Marijuana for personal use. The current Tennessee marijuana laws for possession and sale differ than many other states in regards to the amount of marijuana that can be declared possession and what type of incident is defined as a casual exchange
Marijuana and the Legal System Possession Possession is defined by Tennessee state law as being in possession of at least.5 oz of Marijuana in an illegal manner. The penalty for simple possession in Tennessee is a being charged with a class A misdemeanor and attendance to a drug offender school and minimum $250 fine. The penalty can be increased to a felony if you are a repeat offender and have been place on probation in the past.
Marijuana and the Legal System Sale The charge of possession with intent to sell for marijuana in Tennessee is defined as having a minimum of.5 ounces of Marijuana in your possession for the purposes of selling it to another person. This charge can range from a Class-E felony to a Class-A felony depending on the amount and value of the marijuana. Penalties for the sale of Marijuana can include fines, prison sentences, and long term probation.
Marijuana and the Legal System In summary, the Tennessee legal system does not currently allow for the personal possession, use, or sale of Marijuana in any form. You can be charged with a possession felony on your first offense depending on the amount of marijuana and your criminal history. If you feel that you need assistance dealing with a marijuana addiction please contact your local mental health provider to discuss treatment options and ways to seek help.
Marijuana and the Legal System In summary, Marijuana abuse can cause lasting damage to your mind and body as well as cause legal problems for you and your loved ones. This can happen in a variety of ways and can cause you to become addicted to marijuana often in ways that you may not notice until you are addicted to the point of dependence. If you feel that you need assistance dealing with a marijuana addiction please contact your local mental health provider to discuss treatment options and ways to seek help.