special subjects
Marijuana (Cannabis)
Introduction
Marijuana is a euphoriant that can cause sedation or dysphoria in some users. Psychologic dependence can develop with chronic use, but very little physical dependence is clinically apparent. Withdrawal is uncomfortable but requires only supportive treatment. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug; it is typically used episodically without evidence of social or psychologic dysfunction. The active ingredients in the marijuana plant are termed cannabinoids; the main psychoactive plant cannabinoid is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Numerous Cannabinoids, Synthetic also have been illicitly developed for recreational use. Endogenous cannabinoids are substances produced by the body that activate cannabinoid receptors; they appear to play a role in regulation of appetite, pain sensation, and memory. In the US, marijuana is commonly smoked in cigarettes, made from the flowering tops and leaves of the dried plant, or as hashish, the pressed resin of the plant. The legalization of recreational marijuana in 2010 in certain states in the US created a large market for marijuana products that are ingested, insufflated, vaporized, applied topically in tincture, lotion and spray form. Dronabinol, a synthetic oral form of the active ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is used to treat nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy and to enhance appetite in AIDS patients. Cannabidiol(commonly termed CBD oil) is one of the primary natural cannabinoids of the marijuana plant.Cannabidiolhas minimal psychoactive properties and its recreational use is not associated with a high potential for abuse. It has been approved for treatment of certain uncommon forms of childhood seizure disorder and is being tested for use in a variety of other conditions. 