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Title: DrugFacts: Marijuana
Source:
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
URL Source: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana
Published: Apr 25, 2015
Author: NIDA
Post Date: 2015-04-25 08:43:31 by Gatlin
Keywords: None
Views: 29114
Comments: 81
The need for promoting appropriate use of drugs in the health care system is needed….marijuana as a cure all mania is not. LF's Wacky Weed Kids are again making desperate attempts to promote irrational drug use. The dynamic duo posted two articles falsely showing the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) position on marijuana. You potheads want the NIDA position on marijuana, you can’t handle the NIDA position on marijuana….here it is anyway: Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. The plant contains the mind- altering chemical delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other related compounds. Extracts with high amounts of THC can also be made from the cannabis plant (see "Marijuana Extracts"). Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States (SAMHSA, 2014). Its use is widespread among young people. According to a yearly survey of middle and high school students, rates of marijuana use have steadied in the past few years after several years of increase. However, the number of young people who believe marijuana use is risky is decreasing (Johnston, 2014). Legalization of marijuana for medical use or adult recreational use in a growing number of states may affect these views. Read more about marijuana as medicine in DrugFacts: Is Marijuana Medicine? at www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana-medicine. People smoke marijuana in hand-rolled cigarettes (joints) or in pipes or water pipes (bongs). They also smoke it in blunts—emptied cigars that have been partly or completely refilled with marijuana. To avoid inhaling smoke, more people are using vaporizers. These devices pull the active ingredients (including THC) from the marijuana and collect their vapor in a storage unit. A person then inhales the vapor, not the smoke. Users can mix marijuana in food (edibles), such as brownies, cookies, or candy, or brew it as a tea. A newly popular method of use is smoking or eating different forms of THC-rich resins (see "Marijuana Extracts"). Smoking THC-rich resins extracted from the marijuana plant is on the rise. Users call this practice dabbing. People are using various forms of these extracts, such as: These extracts can deliver extremely large amounts of THC to users, and their use has sent some people to the emergency room. Another danger is in preparing these extracts, which usually involves butane (lighter fluid). A number of people who have used butane to make extracts at home have caused fires and explosions and have been seriously burned. Marijuana has both short- and long-term effects on the brain. THC (in magenta) acts on numerous areas in the brain. When a person smokes marijuana, THC quickly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream. The blood carries the chemical to the brain and other organs throughout the body. The body absorbs THC more slowly when the person eats or drinks it. In that case, the user generally feels the effects after 30 minutes to 1 hour. THC acts on specific brain cell receptors that ordinarily react to natural THC-like chemicals in the brain. These natural chemicals play a role in normal brain development and function. Marijuana overactivates parts of the brain that contain the highest number of these receptors. This causes the "high" that users feel. Other effects include: Marijuana also affects brain development. When marijuana users begin using as teenagers, the drug may reduce thinking, memory, and learning functions and affect how the brain builds connections between the areas necessary for these functions. Marijuana’s effects on these abilities may last a long time or even be permanent. For example, a study showed that people who started smoking marijuana heavily in their teens and had an ongoing cannabis use disorder lost an average of eight IQ points between ages 13 and 38. The lost mental abilities did not fully return in those who quit marijuana as adults. Those who started smoking marijuana as adults did not show notable IQ declines (Meier, 2012). The amount of THC in marijuana has been increasing steadily over the past few decades. For a new user, this may mean exposure to higher THC levels with a greater chance of a harmful reaction. Higher THC levels may explain the rise in emergency room visits involving marijuana use. The popularity of edibles also increases the chance of users having harmful reactions. Edibles take longer to digest and produce a high. Therefore, people may consume more to feel the effects faster, leading to dangerous results. Dabbing is yet another growing trend. More people are using marijuana extracts that provide stronger doses, and therefore stronger effects, of THC (see "Marijuana Extracts"). Higher THC levels may mean a greater risk for addiction if users are regularly exposing themselves to high doses. Marijuana use may have a wide range of effects, both physical and mental. Long-term marijuana use has been linked to mental illness in some users, such as: Marijuana use has also been linked to other mental health problems, such as: Contrary to common belief, marijuana can be addictive. Research suggests that about 1 in 11 users becomes addicted to marijuana (Anthony, 1994; Lopez-Quintero 2011).This number increases among those who start as teens (to about 17 percent, or 1 in 6) and among people who use marijuana daily (to 25-50 percent) (Hall, 2009a; Hall, 2009b). Compared to nonusers, heavy marijuana users more often report the following: Users also report less academic and career success. For example, marijuana use is linked to a higher likelihood of dropping out of school (McCaffrey, 2010). It is also linked to more job absences, accidents, and injuries (Zwerling, 1990). Long-term marijuana users trying to quit report withdrawal symptoms that make quitting difficult. These include: Behavioral support has been effective in treating marijuana addiction. Examples include therapy and motivational incentives (providing rewards to patients who remain substance free). No medications are currently available to treat marijuana addiction. However, continuing research may lead to new medications that help ease withdrawal symptoms, block the effects of marijuana, and prevent relapse. For more information on marijuana and marijuana use, visit: For more information on marijuana as medicine and on state laws related to marijuana, visit: Monitoring the Future Learn more about the Monitoring the Future survey, which annually measures drug, alcohol, and tobacco use and related attitudes among teenage students nationwide: http://www.dr ug abuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana. A Few Good Men (1992):
Colonel Jessep: You want answers?! Lieutenant Kaffee: I want the truth! Colonel Jessep: You can't handle the truth!
The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction
The mission of the NIDA is to lead the Nation in bringing the power of science to bear on drug abuse and addiction
DrugFacts: Marijuana
Revised April 2015What is marijuana
How do people use marijuana?
Marijuana Extracts
How does marijuana affect the brain?
Short-term effects
Long-term effects
A Rise in Marijuana’s THC Levels
What are the other health effects of marijuana?
Physical effects
Mental effects
Is marijuana addictive?
How Does Marijuana Affect a User’s Life?
How can people get treatment for marijuana addiction?
Points to Remember
Learn More
www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends- statistics/monitoring-future
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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 61.
#57. To: Gatlin (#0)
Poor Gatlin. Stuck in 1937. http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana-medicine Currently, the two main cannabinoids from the marijuana plant that are of medical interest are THC and CBD. THC increases appetite and reduces nausea. The FDA-approved THC-based medications are used for these purposes. THC may also decrease pain, inflammation (swelling and redness), and muscle control problems. CBD is a cannabinoid that does not affect the mind or behavior. It may be useful in reducing pain and inflammation, controlling epileptic seizures, and possibly even treating mental illness and addictions. NIH-funded and other researchers are continuing to explore the possible uses of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids for medical treatment.
That article was posted 11 days ago….your delay in responding is duly noted. You are obviously as slow a poster as you are also a slow learner….definitely reflecting the true developmental learning delay carried forth from your childhood. If you had received some early learning development intervention therapy, you would not have been stuck with the mind of a ten year old child and could move a little faster throughout life. Touché, Operation 40….as I use this old exclamation to acknowledge my clever point being made at your expense.
One of the greatest men that ever lived: There are pictures of Bob in ghettos in South Africa, Buddhist Temples in Tibet and Board Rooms in New York City. People will be talking about Bob for hundreds of years. His was a universal message. How many pictures of you exist outside of your family? Who will even remember you 20 years from now? What is your message?
#64. To: Gatlin (#61)
(Edited)
I don't think Jesus would have told parents to drug their kids up on Ritalin, Oxycontin or Xanax. And I don't think Jesus would have called Cannabis a "Drug". The Guardian UK: Jesus 'healed using cannabis' Jesus was almost certainly a cannabis user and an early proponent of the medicinal properties of the drug, according to a study of scriptural texts published this month. The study suggests that Jesus and his disciples used the drug to carry out miraculous healings. The anointing oil used by Jesus and his disciples contained an ingredient called kaneh-bosem which has since been identified as cannabis extract, according to an article by Chris Bennett in the drugs magazine, High Times, entitled Was Jesus a Stoner? The incense used by Jesus in ceremonies also contained a cannabis extract, suggests Mr Bennett, who quotes scholars to back his claims. "There can be little doubt about a role for cannabis in Judaic religion," Carl Ruck, professor of classical mythology at Boston University said. Referring to the existence of cannabis in anointing oils used in ceremonies, he added: "Obviously the easy availability and long-established tradition of cannabis in early Judaism _ would inevitably have included it in the [Christian] mixtures." Mr Bennett suggests those anointed with the oils used by Jesus were "literally drenched in this potent mixture _ Although most modern people choose to smoke or eat pot, when its active ingredients are transferred into an oil-based carrier, it can also be absorbed through the skin". Quoting the New Testament, Mr Bennett argues that Jesus anointed his disciples with the oil and encouraged them to do the same with other followers. This could have been responsible for healing eye and skin diseases referred to in the Gospels. "If cannabis was one of the main ingredients of the ancient anointing oil _ and receiving this oil is what made Jesus the Christ and his followers Christians, then persecuting those who use cannabis could be considered anti-Christ," Mr Bennett concludes. ************************************************* BBC: Cannabis linked to Biblical healing Jesus Christ and his apostles may have used a cannabis-based anointing oil to help cure people with crippling diseases, it has been claimed. Researchers in the United States say the oil used in the early days of the Christian church contained a cannabis extract called kaneh-bosem. They suggest the extract, which is absorbed into the body when placed on the skin, could have helped cure people with a variety of physical and mental problems. The author of the article, published in the US drugs magazine High Times, says his findings are based on a study of scriptural texts. Wide use The article does not question the validity of the miracles reported in the Bible but rather examines whether the early Christian Church may have made use of substances with an active medical effect. It does not rule out the role played by blind faith in Christ. Chris Bennett said cannabis was widely used at the time to heal the sick. "The medical use of cannabis during that time is supported by archaeological records." He said the ancient anointing oil contained high levels of cannabis extract. "The holy anointing oil, as described in the original Hebrew version of the recipe in Exodus, contained over six pounds of keneh-bosum - a substance identified by respected etymology, linguists anthropologists, botanists and other researchers as cannabis extracted into about six quarts of olive oil along with a variety of other fragrant herbs. "The ancient annointed ones were literally drenched in this potent mixture." Miracles Mr Bennett suggested the drug may have played a role in some healing miracles carried out by Jesus and his disciples...snip ********************************** CHRISTIANS & POT: A HIGH HOLY HISTORY In February of 2003, HIGH TIMES published my controversial article, “Was Jesus a Stoner?” Shortly thereafter, the concept broached in the piece—specifically, the biblical references to Christ’s use of cannabis in healing—received international attention. The article was a follow-up to an earlier piece in HIGH TIMES, “The Burning Bush” (June 2002), on the possible references to cannabis in early Judaism and Old Testament texts. This exploration followed the research of scholars like Sara Benetowa and Immanuel Low regarding the identification of an ancient Hebrew term, keneh bosem, as the etymological ancestor of the modern word cannabis. As discussed in “The Burning Bush,” the first of these references to keneh bosem is found in Exodus 30:23, in which Moses is instructed by the voice of God—emanating from a burning bush—to make an anointing oil of myrrh, cinnamon and roughly six pounds of cannabis (“250 shekels of keneh bosem”) mixed into about a gallon and a half of olive oil. While this “holy anointing” was originally restricted for use among the priestly class, centuries later the prophet Samuel anointed Saul, the first king of Israel, thereby extending the use of “holy oil” to monarchs as well. Thus, cannabis-infused oils became part of the coronation rite for Jewish kings. However, with the prophet Jeremiah’s eventual condemnation of cannabis-infused oils and incense in conjunction with the fall of Israel and the loss of Jewish independence, the anointing rite seemingly disappeared from Judaism until its re-emergence years later at the inception of the early Christian period. As I discussed in “Was Jesus a Stoner?”, the Greek title Christ is the translation of the Jewish term Messiah, which in English becomes “the anointed one” and makes specific reference to the cannabis-based anointing oil described in Exodus. In fact, there is evidence that many of the so-called miracles performed by Jesus and his followers were accounts of actual medical applications of this topical oil. Embellished over time, these stories became the miraculous healing tales of the New Testament—accounts that were written decades after Jesus’ terrestrial life had come to an end. Read More: http://www.hightimes.com/read/christians-pot-high-holy-history
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestNIDA: How might cannabinoids be useful as medicine?
#58. To: Operation 40 (#57)
(Edited)
Poor Gatlin. Stuck in 1937.
#59. To: Gatlin (#58)
If you had received some early learning development intervention therapy, you would not have been stuck with the mind of a ten year old child and could move a little faster throughout life.
"Herb is not a drug"- The Honourable Robert Nesta Marley, O.M.
#61. To: Operation 40 (#59)
You say: One of the greatest men that ever lived, Robert Nesta Marley ….
I say: There is no doubt that Jesus Christ is the greatest man who has ever lived in all of history. He changed the world forever. When He was born, He transformed the very way we measure time. He turned aside the river of the ages out of its course and lifted the centuries off their hinges. His birthday, His Incarnation, touched and transformed time. Jesus Christ is the central figure of history. More books have been written about Jesus Christ than any other person in history and he didn’t smoke pot….did he?
Replies to Comment # 61. More books have been written about Jesus Christ than any other person in history and he didn’t smoke pot….did he?
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/jan/06/science.religion
More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2633187.stm
End Trace Mode for Comment # 61.
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