Psychopharmacology: Marijuana Overview

Psychopharmacology: Marijuana

• Marijuana is a psychoactive product of the Cannabis plant. It's challenging to categorize because of its unique properties.
• About 4.0% of the global population uses cannabis annually.
• Cannabis is remarkably hardy and grows virtually anywhere.
• Global cannabis sales alone in 2020 exceeded $20 billion in legal markets.

Marijuana: An Introduction

• Marijuana is a complex drug to classify, falling into a unique category.
• It's difficult to categorize due to a wide variety of effects based on constituents.
• It has various forms and is used for multiple purposes globally.

Marijuana: Use in the USA

• Marijuana use (lifetime, annual, current) trends vary widely across U.S. age groups.
• Different racial and ethnic groups exhibit different rates of marijuana use in the U.S.
• Potency has significantly increased from ~2% THC in 1980 to ~10-12% today based on data.
• There is a popular notion that cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in the U.S.

Marijuana: Origin and World History

• Cannabis originated in Central and South Asia.
• Use spread gradually, initially in religious ceremonies, and later for medicinal purposes.
• Its use dates back 8500 to 5500 BC, evident from charred cannabis seeds.
• Recreational use in the U.S. surged in the 1960s, influenced by tourists and cultural trends.

Marijuana: U.S. History

• Hemp has been an important crop throughout U.S. history, used for various purposes including textiles.
• Marijuana and cannabis experienced different uses and classifications throughout history.
• The 1930's witnessed a rise of anti-marijuana sentiment, connected to public perceptions and xenophobia.

Marijuana: The Killer Weed Era

• In the 1930s, marijuana faced significant stigmatization and public health concerns connected to its use
• Public awareness campaigns emphasized the perceived dangers, reinforcing negative perspectives

Marijuana: Tax Act (1937)

• The 1937 Marijuana Tax Act banned hemp and recreational marijuana and imposed high taxes on cannabis.
• This act mandated record-keeping requirements for those involved in distributing or selling cannabis.

Marijuana: Routes of Administration

• Common routes to consume cannabis include smoking (cigarettes, pipes, bongs, blunts, etc.), vaporizing, eating (edibles), and preparing cannabis-infused drinks (beverages).
• The method of consumption can affect the time it takes for the user to experience effects.
• Some methods of administration, like dabbing, carry specific risks, such as the high temperature that may cause serious burns.

Marijuana: Physiological Effects

• Marijuana affects various neurotransmitters in the body, including ACh, glutamate, GABA, dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and possibly endocannabinoids and anandamide.
• Its effects on the body vary depending on the method of consumption and potency.
• Immediate effects are often noticeable within minutes of use.

Marijuana: Chronic Effects

• Risks from long-term marijuana use include potential issues with addiction, including tolerance and withdrawal
• Both physical (respiratory system problems) and mental (cognitive problems) risks from chronic use are possible.

Marijuana: Psychological Effects

• Cognitive functions, like learning, memory, concentration, mood, and anxiety may change with the use of marijuana.
• Sensory perceptions (including auditory and visual) may be altered.
• Amotivational syndrome, a possible issue connected with marijuana use characterized by a lack of motivation and reduced interest in normal activities, is also linked to increased issues.

Marijuana: Amotivational Syndrome

• Amotivational syndrome is a pattern of behavior, including lack of motivation to engage in tasks, poor concentration, and a lack of effort in daily activities
• This syndrome could arise from chronic marijuana use and may affect educational, employment and social settings.

Marijuana: Medical Issues

• Some states and countries have legalized marijuana for medical use.
• Various conditions might benefit from cannabis use.
• Some widely accepted conditions that are associated with marijuana as medicinal use including chronic pain, epilepsy, glaucoma, remission of Crohn’s disease, palliative care, and nausea.
• Scientific consensus on the full benefits and risks remains ongoing for some chronic medical conditions.

Synthetic Mimics of Cannabis

• Synthetic cannabinoids, sometimes marketed as "synthetic cannabis" or "fake weed" are similar to marijuana and have unpredictable effects.
• They are not true marijuana and contain cannabinoid structural analogues like THC or similar psychoactive substances.
• Their use has unknown adverse health consequences.

This quiz explores the complexities of marijuana, its classification as a psychoactive drug, and its global usage trends. Delve into the differences in marijuana use across various demographics in the USA and learn about the increasing potency over time. Gain insight into the economic impact of cannabis as well.