Marijuana (cannabis) is a drug made from the plants Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica that contain a psychoactive chemical called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Marijuana produces a dreamy state, a sense of well-being, and distorted perceptions.
People can develop psychologic dependence when they use marijuana for a long period of time.
Stopping the drug causes only mild symptoms.
Marijuana can be detected in urine for days to weeks after it was used.
Treatment involves counseling, which is effective only when people are motivated to stop.
(See also Marijuana, Synthetic and Drug Use and Abuse.)
Marijuana (cannabis) use is widespread in the United States; typically, marijuana is used periodically without evidence of social or mental health issues.
In the United States, marijuana is commonly smoked in the form of cigarettes (joints) made from the stems, leaves, and flowering tops of the dried plant (Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica). Marijuana is also used as hashish, the pressed resin (tarry substance) of the plant. The legalization of marijuana has led to a market for products that can be eaten and vaporized in e-cigarettes. There are also a variety of forms that can be applied to the skin as tinctures, lotions, or sprays.
Most people use marijuana intermittently and without developing noticeable social or psychologic dysfunction or dependence. However, some people become dependent on marijuana.
Symptoms of Marijuana Intoxication
Marijuana causes immediate and sometimes long-term symptoms.
Immediate effect
Marijuana slows brain activity, producing a dreamy state in which ideas seem disconnected and free-flowing. It is mildly psychedelic, causing time, color, and spatial perceptions to distort and be enhanced. Colors may seem brighter, and sounds may seem louder. The sense of euphoria and relaxation is called a high.
Marijuana generally relieves tension and provides a sense of well-being. The sense of exaltation, excitement, and inner joyousness (a high) seems to be related to the setting in which the drug is taken—such as whether the person is alone or in a group and what the prevailing mood is.
Coordination, reaction time, depth perception, and concentration may be impaired for 24 hours after marijuana use, so driving or operating heavy equipment is dangerous during this time. Other effects include an increased heart rate, bloodshot eyes, increased appetite, and dry mouth. These effects usually last 4 to 6 hours after inhalation.
Some people, especially those who have not used marijuana before, experience anxiety or feel panicky or paranoid. Marijuana may worsen or trigger psychosis (loss of contact with reality) in people with schizophrenia.
Long-term effects
People who use large quantities of marijuana for a long time may develop breathing problems such as
Bronchitis
Wheezing
Coughing
Increased phlegm
Abdominal pain and cyclic vomiting syndrome
However, people who smoke marijuana do not develop obstructive airway disease, even those who smoke daily. There is no evidence of increased risk of head and neck or airway cancers, as there is with tobacco.
Recent studies suggest that marijuana use begun in adolescence can lead to cognitive impairment and changes in the brain.
Cannabinoid hyperemesis is a recently described syndrome in which long-time users of marijuana have alternating bouts of nausea and vomiting. The syndrome usually resolves within 48 hours. Taking hot baths provides some relief and is the biggest clue for doctors to diagnose the condition.
Some studies show that women who smoke marijuana are less likely to conceive. Those who become pregnant may have smaller babies than nonusers, but the effect seems small. Delta-9-THC passes into breast milk, but no harmful effects have been detected in babies. Nonetheless, women who are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding are advised not to use marijuana.
Men who smoke marijuana frequently have a reduced sperm count, resulting in a possible decrease in fertility.
Withdrawal symptoms
Marijuana is eliminated from the body slowly over several weeks, so withdrawal symptoms tend to be mild. After a few weeks of heavy, frequent use, abruptly stopping causes symptoms that begin about 12 hours later and last up to 7 days. Symptoms include
Insomnia
Irritability
Depression
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Diagnosis of Marijuana Intoxication
Urine test
A urine test can detect THC for several days or weeks after it is used, even in casual users. In regular users, the test may detect the drug for even longer while the drug is slowly released from body fat. Urine testing is an effective means of identifying marijuana use, but a positive result means only that a person has used marijuana. It does not prove that the user is currently impaired (intoxicated).
Treatment of Marijuana Intoxication
Observation and monitoring until the person is sober
Counseling and drug treatment
For people who want to stop using marijuana, counseling, behavior modification, and drug treatment programs may be helpful. However, success relies heavily on their motivation to stop and, for some users, on their willingness to disassociate from their social circle of regular users.
More Information
The following English-language resources may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of these resources.
Narcotics Anonymous World Services: Helps people combat addiction, regardless of the substance that caused it, through a 12-step program similar to that used by Alcoholics Anonymous.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Marijuana-specific information from the federal agency that supports scientific research into the drug's use and its consequences.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): US Department of Health agency that leads public health efforts to improve behavioral health and provides resources, including treatment locators, toll-free helplines, practitioner training tools, statistics, and publications on a variety of substance-related topics.
