- The DEA describes marijuana as a "dry, shredded green/brown mix of flowers, stems, seeds and leaves of the plant Cannabis sativa" with a pungent odor.
- The psychoactive chemical THC binds to receptors in the brain to create a euphoric feeling or "high." Some symptoms may include intensified colors and sounds, increased appetite, decreased sense of time, dry throat and/or sleepiness. The DEA says that the effects of marijuana last from one to four hours.
- NORML says that medical marijuana can benefit tens of thousands of patients suffering from pain, nausea, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis or arthritis. Additionally, marijuana may aid appetite stimulation for HIV and cancer patients.
- Marijuana is illegal under federal law, but the states have made their own laws concerning the drug. Be aware of your local laws if you choose to use marijuana.
- According to the Office of National Drug Policy, marijuana can damage health by increasing respiratory illnesses associated with smoking the drug, increasing heart rate and damaging short-term memory.
Comments
nickryan27 said
on 10/13/2009 Marijuana needs to be decriminalized NOW! If anyone is still stuck in the ignorance of "Reefer Madness" and the days of Reagan, you need to make it a priority to educate yourself on the whole topic of marijuana and hemp. I highly recommend watching the documentary "The Union: The Business Behind Getting High". It is a fairly unbiased documentary on the history of marijuana and how it came about being illegal and why it remains that way.