Marijuana

What is Marijuana?
Marijuana is a plant found in many areas of the world. It is also known as “pot”, “grass” or “weed.”  It contains a mind-altering substance “THC,” as well as hundreds of other chemicals. The amount of THC determines the effect on the user. A "joint” is a marijuana cigarette made from the dried leaves and flowers of the plant. A “blunt” is marijuana rolled in cigar paper.

What are the immediate effects of marijuana?
Effects depend on the dose, the strength of the drug, the user, other drugs in the body and the setting. Physical effects include an increase in heart rate, reddening of the eyes, and dryness in the mouth and throat.  Psychological effects occur even at low doses and increase if higher doses are taken. Short-term memory is impaired, sense of time and space are altered, the ability to perform tasks requiring concentration, swift reactions, and coordination is reduced, an altered sense of body image, and bouts of exaggerated laughter are also commonly reported. Effects usually begin and peak soon after smoking, and diminish gradually over several hours. Use is followed by fatigue.

What immediate problems occur with marijuana?
Immediate problems can include:

  • Headaches and dizziness

  • The drug can trigger seizures in people with epilepsy

  • A user may have an “acute panic reaction” in which the drug’s effects are exaggerated causing anxiety and fear of losing control or “going crazy.” 

  • Marijuana increases heart rate as much as 50 percent. This could be dangerous for people with abnormal heart conditions. It can bring on chest pain in people who have poor blood supply to the heart.

  • Marijuana affects mood, senses, reaction, and coordination. This may cause behavior which leads to injury or death in traffic crashes, or other incidents.

What long-term problems occur with marijuana?

  • Smoking marijuana is particularly harmful to the lungs. Smoke of any kind inflames the lungs and affects their functions. Marijuana smoke contains many irritants and known cancer causing chemicals. Users may experience hoarseness, coughing, laryngitis, and bronchitis. Evidence shows that smoking marijuana impairs the body cells which defend against bacteria and other disease germs.

  • Marijuana smoke contains even more cancer-causing agents than tobacco smoke. Human lung tissue that had been exposed to marijuana smoke in a laboratory showed precancerous cell changes.

  • Marijuana burnout may occur. People who smoke marijuana heavily over long periods may become dull, slow-moving and inattentive, even when not currently under the influence of the drug.

How long does marijuana stay in the body after it is smoked?
THC is fat soluble. It is absorbed into fat-rich tissues and organs in the body, and builds up in organs (such as the brain, liver, lungs and reproductive organs). Laboratory tests have shown traces of THC in the body for up to a month after the marijuana was smoked.

Can Marijuana cause dependence?
Physical and psychological dependence can occur with regular marijuana use. Tolerance to marijuana (the need to take more and more of the drug over time to get the original effect) has been shown. Dependent users who stop taking the drug feel withdrawal symptoms. These include irritability, sleep problems, loss of appetite and weight, sweating and stomach upset.

How can marijuana affect young people?
Marijuana use, like any other drug use, can interfere with the development of social and psychological skills. Marijuana and other drugs can interfere with young people becoming mature, independent, and responsible. The effects of marijuana can also interfere with learning. They impair the user’s thinking, reading, verbal, and math skills.

How does marijuana affect men’s reproductive systems?
Studies have found that marijuana use can lower the levels of the male sex hormone testosterone, can  diminish the sperm count in young adults, and can damage sperm. Marijuana may also interfere with the physical and sexual development of adolescent males. These effects may be linked to the build up of  THC in the reproductive organs.

How does marijuana affect women’s reproductive systems?
Female animal studies show that the drug interferes with the female sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone, and with the growth hormone from the pituitary gland. These effects may be linked to the build-up of THC in body organs.

Can marijuana affect pregnancy?
Using marijuana during pregnancy creates risks for the unborn child. THC crosses the placenta, especially in early pregnancy. It may have a toxic effect on the fetus. The drug may interfere with the supply of nourishment to the baby through the placenta. Smoking marijuana, like smoking cigarettes, raises levels of carbon dioxide and carbon minoxide in the blood. This reduces the oxygen supply to the fetus. Marijuana may cause spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, and low birth weight (a sign of poor infant health).

How does marijuana affect driving?
Even low doses of marijuana impair driving skill.  The drug significantly affects judgment, caution, and concentration.  It also affects perception, causing "tunnel vision," slower adjustment of the eyes to changes in light, and impaired judgment of speed and time.  Marijuana causes drowsiness and impairs motor skills.  Marijuana and driving do not mix. 

Legal Information
Marijuana, hashish, hash oil, and related cannabis products are controlled substances under Michigan and federal law.  Use, possession, delivery, possession with intent to deliver, and manufacture of the drug are all illegal.  Penalties include imprisonment and fines.  Certain penalties are mandatory. 

Penalties are increased if a person eighteen years or older distributes the drug to a person under eighteen who is at least three years younger than the distributor, or possesses the drug on or near school property.