Cannabinoids Cannabinoids The most widely used illicit drug
Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids - The most widely used illicit drug in the United States - Derived from the hemp plant: Cannabis Sativa - Can have depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogen properties depending on the drug in that category
Cannabinoid Drugs Marijuana Synthetic Cannabinoids - Street names: Blunt, Dope, Grass, Mary Jane - Has stimulant and hallucinogenic properties - Street names: Black Mamba, Bliss, Fake Weed, and Moon Rocks - Has stimulant properties
Effects of the drug on the body: Marijuana Short term effects: - Enhanced sensory perception and euphoria followed by drowsiness/ relaxation Slow reaction time, problems with balance and coordination, increased heart rate, and appetite Long term effects - Mental health problems, chronic cough, frequent respiratory infections - When paired with Alcohol: Increased heart rate, blood pressure, further slowing of mental processing and reaction time.
Effects of the drug on the body: Synthetic Cannabinoids Short term: - Increased heart rate, vomiting, agitation, confusion, hallucinations, anxiety, and paranoia Long term: - Effects are unknown - When paired with alcohol: Also unknown There hasn't been enough research or time to conclude what the long term effects of the drug are.
Legal and social issues surrounding the drug Social issues: - Smoking in public Smoking in the household around people under 25 Gateway drug Legal - Driving under the influence Allowed amount of personal use Legal in 31 states along with the District of Columbia - Only 11 of those states have legalized Marijuana for recreational use.
Route of Administration Most common methods: - Smoking Vaporizing Or orally through the consumption of cannabis-infused foods. Topical administration exists with creams, sprays, patches, and lotion. - These aren’t often used for recreational purposes due to most forms of topical administration not giving the THC any access to the bloodstream.
Is the drug addictive? - No, but marijuana use can lead to psychological problems, such as Marijuana use disorder, that in extreme cases can resemble addiction. - Often associated with dependance, which ends up causing withdrawal symptoms when not taking the drug.
Additional information - Primarily used for recreational uses but can be used for medical purposes as well - Claimed to be able to treat eating disorders, cancer, pain, etc. - Believed to have a negative effect on already existing mental illnesses such as schizophrenia
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