Marijuana

Marijuana is derived from the plant Cannabis sativa or hemp. Commonly called pot, grass, weed or other names, marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp plant that is usually smoked by users. Marijuana is addictive and there are more US teenage marijuana abusers in treatment with a primary diagnosis of marijuana dependence than for all other illicit drugs combined. Classified as a Schedule I drug under the Federal Controlled Substances Act of 1970, in the last 50 years there has been a steady rise in its use for recreational, religious or spiritual, and medicinal purposes. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the world.

Marijuana has a chemical in it called tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC. Marijuana in all forms is mind-altering (psychoactive)—it alters our brain function. THC acts on cannabinoid receptors found in areas of the brain involved in memory (the hippocampus), concentration (cerebral cortex), perception (sensory portions of the cerebral cortex) and movement (the cerebellum, substantia nigra, globus pallidus). When THC activates cannabinoid receptors, it interferes with the normal functioning of these brain areas. A lot of other chemicals are found in marijuana, too — about 400 of them, some of which are carcinogenic.

Marijuana has psychoactive and physiological effects when consumed, usually by smoking or ingestion. The minimum amount of THC required to have a perceptible psychoactive effect is about 10 micrograms per kilogram of body weight. The state of intoxication due to cannabis consumption is colloquially known as a "high," the state where mental and physical facilities are noticeably altered. Users experience different highs, which may vary according to potency, dose, chemical composition, method of consumption and setting.

Marijuana affects the lungs and bronchial passages of users in the same fashion as tobacco use. Marijuana also affects the hormone levels of users. In adolescent pot users, regular use of the drug can delay the onset of puberty in young men and reduce sperm production. For women, regular use may disrupt normal monthly menstrual cycles and inhibit ovulation. When pregnant women use marijuana, they run the risk of having smaller babies with lower birth weights, who are more likely than other babies to develop health problems. Some studies also found indications of developmental delays in children exposed to marijuana before birth.

Q: Where and how do teenagers get access to marijuana?

A: Most teens (and preteens) get their marijuana from their friends, followed by purchasing in school. Drug dealers are the third most frequent source, followed by older siblings and parents.

Q: Are the levels of THC in pot getting higher and why?

A: One of the dangers of marijuana is that it’s much stronger than it was twenty years ago. Although some people say it’s 20 times higher than it was two decades ago, there appears to be no scientific foundation to that claim. Estimates are that 20 years ago, marijuana contained four percent THC, now it’s about eight and a half percent—a significant increase.

Caron offers a comprehensive range of treatment services that focus on the medical, psychological, clinical, physical and spiritual aspects of one's recovery. Our treatment program is based on the 12-Step philosophy.