|
 Marijuana is the most commonly
used illicit drug in the United States. According
to the Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA),
approximately 5.1 percent or 11.2 million people of the population age twelve or
older were monthly marijuana or hashish users.
The term marijuana refers to the leaves and flowering tops of the hemp
plant, Cannabis sativa. The plant
houses 460 known compounds, 60 of which are known as cannabinoids meaning that
they are unique the the cannabis plant. The
primary psychoactive compound is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC.
Marijuana is usually smoked in a
joint or blunt form. A joint is a
loosely rolled cigarette and a blunt is a hollowed out commercial cigar.
Initial marijuana use is usually brought on by peer pressure, curiosity
or both. Continued use is common
because of marijuana’s psychogenic abilities to induce euphoria, relaxation,
increased sexual arousal, and heightened sensations.
Marijuana use is linked to several
adverse effects including impaired cognition, memory, motor skills, and concentration. Marijuana also have
negative effects on the cardiovascular system, respiratory and immune system
which make it especially dangerous for people with pre-existing medical
conditions.
Because
of the many hazards associated with marijuana use, the Drug
Enforcement Administration (DEA) has classified marijuana as a Schedule
I drug, meaning that it has the highest potential for abuse and has no
accepted medical uses aside from research.
However in recent years, clinical research has shown that marijuana is
effective for treating several medical conditions such as chemotherapy induced
nausea, HIV cachexia, glaucoma, analgesia, and neurological disorders.
Despite these findings, the federal government and the DEA are still
resistant in accepting marijuana’s roles as a medical therapy. |
