What is Marijuana?

Marijuana is comprised of the cured leaves, and flower clusters from the hemp plant, Cannabis Sativa. It is classified as a minor psychedelic drug because it does not cause a total break with reality as do major psychedelics. However, if large amounts of high potency marijuana are used, it could lead to a full psychedelic effect.

The major psychoactive ingredient in marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Over 400 other chemicals are found in marijuana, including tar and carcinogens.

Marijuana is not a new drug. The first written records date it to 4,000 years ago in China, where the emperor, Shen Nung, advocated its use as an all-purpose medication and as a sedative. From there its use spread to India and neighboring countries.

Early Hindus used cannabis for a variety of purposes, including leprosy and fever. They also felt it was useful for creating energy and stimulating the mind. Hindus and Muslims also employed it to treat constipation, dandruff, hemorrhoids, obesity, asthma, urinary tract infections, loss of appetite, inflammation, and cough.

From India, the use of cannabis spread to surrounding countries and the Middle East, then to Europe and the Americas.

Initially hemp was cultivated in early America as a fiber crop for making rope. It was not used for its psychoactive properties by early American settlers.

Several years later Cannabis made its way up the Mississippi to larger cities from the port of New Orleans. In 1920 marijuana use was prevalent in the United States. By 1930 marijuana was available in most of the larger cities.

During the 60's and early 70's marijuana use reached epidemic proportions as it became a popular drug among young people. There were efforts to decriminalize it. During this period marijuana use spread to youthful white males, from urban to rural areas, to larger numbers of women, and to older segments of the population as well.

Physical Signs of Marijuana Usage

It can be very difficult to tell when someone is "high" on marijuana, which is one reason why it is so common and so many kids get away with using it. By itself it doesn't make you drunk, slur your speech, stumble around, etc. The most noticable sign is redness of the eyes.

Marijuana has its major physiological effects on the cardiovascular and central nervous system, where it has sedative effects. When someone first starts smoking marijuana, he gets a sense of well-being, relaxation, a willingness to speak or laugh openly and sleepiness. As one continues to smoke it in higher doses, it causes mild sensory distortions, an altered sense of time, loss of short-term memory, lose of balance and difficulty in completing thought processes. Even higher doses can result in feelings of depersonalization, severe anxiety and panic, hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia.

Physically, when someone smokes marijuana, his heart rate increases and the blood vessels of the eye dilate, which causes the eyes to become reddened. A feeling of tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing, and a lack of muscle coordination may also occur.

Paraphernalia

Cigarette rolling papers (such as Zig-Zag's), pipes (wooden, metal and glass), bongs (water-filled pipes), alligator clips.

 

Common Nicknames for Marijuana

Pot, grass, weed, bud, jay, reefer, joint, ganja, herb, dope, smoke, boo ya, red hair, chronic, the green, the kind, mary jane, skunk, sens, thai sticks, hash, hashish, mowie wowie, J, hooter, toke, yesca, budah, bionic, shwag, indica, mex, herbage, doobage, wacky tobacky, hemp, THC, indo, homegrown, and doobie.