Mackenzie Matthews
COUN 71
Heather Kelly
Thursday March 20th, 2014

Marijuana has been used as an agent for achieving euphoria since
ancient times; it was described in a Chinese medical form from
2737 B.C.

Euphoria is the feeling or state of intense excitement and
happiness.

It has also been used as a medical herb. Example: treating cancer
patients and helping the pain.

Its use spread from China to India and then to N Africa and
reached Europe at least as early as A.D. 500 (History of Marijuana
Use, Para. 1).

Youth marijuana use is widespread and can be associated with
serious problems

46% of 12th graders have never used

Among youth, associated problems include:

– School failure, dropout

– Poorer memory, attention, IQ

– Other risk behavior

– Justice system involvement

– Mental health problems

– Abuse and dependence
(Bailey, A. Pg. 10).
Protective Factors:
Individual Characteristics
•
High Intelligence
•
Resilient Temperament
•
Competencies and Skills
In social domains of family, school, peer group and community
•
Prosocial Opportunities
•
Reinforcement for Prosocial Involvement
•
Bonding (connectedness, attachment)
•
Clear and Healthy Standards for Behavior

Some history: THC, is the main active chemical in marijuana. When
smoked, THC quickly passes through the lungs and into the bloodstream,
thus carrying it to various organs -- including the brain – where the bulk
of cannabinoid receptors reside.

Twenty years later, scientists identified the sites in the brain and body
where marijuana acts and called them cannabinoid (CB) receptors.

A receptor is outside the surface of a cell receiving signals.

The EC system is found in many areas of the brain, which explains why it
affects so many different body functions. Cannabinoids exert their
influence by regulating how cells communicate—how they send, receive,
or process messages. The cannabinoids will then slow down
communication between cells (The Science of Marijuana, Para 3-6).
(The Science of
Marijuana, 2011).
Psychological:
The brain craves the drug of choice despite the negative
consequences.
Denial is a huge part of any addiction. It’s just a bit easier
to deny with pot than with other “more dangerous” drugs.
(Archer, Para.15).
Physical:
Anxiety, mood swings and depression.
Irritability and physical tension
Marijuana withdrawal symptoms do not appear to be as
pronounced as those seen with other drugs.

The psychiatric diagnoses, cannabis abuse and cannabis
dependence, in DSM-IV-TR were replaced by one diagnosis,
cannabis use disorder, in DSM-5 [4].

“The clinical features and diagnosis of cannabis use disorder in
adults are reviewed here. Other issues related to cannabis use
disorder are discussed separately. Treatment of medical
conditions such as chemotherapy-induced emesis and cancer pain
with cannabinoids are discussed separately”(Cannabis Use
Disorder, Para. 3).

DSM stands for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders.

It is a book that has a variety of purposes with psychiatric
disorders, codes and information on the prevalence of each
disorder and criteria.
-Paraphernalia
 Bongs
 Papers
 Pipes
 Grinders etc
-Increased appetite
-Red Eyes
-Poor time sense
-Dry mouth
-Coordination
-Slow reaction
-Giggling
(Signs of Smoking Marijuana, Para. 2).



Marijuana use during pregnancy places a pregnancy at two
times increased risk for stillbirth:
This means that there can be the death of a fetus at or
after 20 weeks of gestation.
“This was a huge study across 59 hospitals nationwide. All
women in the study had a blood test for cotinine—a
breakdown product of nicotine—and the fetal umbilical
cords were tested for several types of drugs, including
cocaine, methamphetamine, prescription painkillers, and
marijuana. The women also answered a survey regarding
their drug use patterns during pregnancy. Based on all
these data, women who smoked marijuana were 2.3 times
more likely to have a stillbirth than women who did not
smoke marijuana during pregnancy” (Psychology Today,
Para. 2).

“In addition to fertility issues, marijuana has been linked
in some studies to children's low birth weight, behavioral
problems, poor growth, physical abnormalities, lower IQ,
and difficulty with language comprehension and memory.
One study, conducted by researchers at the University of
Minnesota and published in May 1989 in the journal Cancer,
found that exposing a fetus to marijuana increased a
child's risk of getting leukemia. So at a time when women
are urged to avoid certain legal substances like
antihistamines or caffeine, it is no wonder that many are
encouraged to add marijuana to their list of pregnancy nonos” (Medicine Net, Para. 15).






Medical marijuana has been used to treat symptoms
associated with HIV/AIDS. Marijuana has been known to
help reduce the following HIV symptoms:
Nausea
Appetite – It will help increase appetite.
Nerve Pain – Marijuana helps with side effects.
Depression
Sleeping – Drowsiness is a known side effect of marijuana.
HIV patients have a hard time sleeping due to pain so this
helps with a good night sleep. (Medical Marijuana, 2014).


“Many individuals tend to discontinue their cannabis use
after one or two experiments; others use it occasionally or
during a limited period of time. Of those aged 15-64 who
have ever used cannabis, 70 % have not done so during the
last year” (Cannabis, 2011).
Cannabis use is much higher in certain people. For
example those who attend music shows, night clubs etc.
are much more likely to use marijuana.

“Route of Admin: Marijuana is usually smoked as a cigarette
(‘joint’) or in a pipe or bong. Marijuana is also orally ingested”
(Drugs and Human Performance Fact Sheet, Para. 7).

It has been known for some to orally ingest marijuana and mix it
with other food. Example: making ‘weed’ brownies.

The high feeling will usually last around 3-4 hours where you then
begin to ‘burn out’ and are in need of smoking more to get the
same affect.

A majority of THC is excreted via the feces (~65%) with
approximately 30% of the THC being eliminated in the urine
(Drugs and Human Performance Fact Sheet, Para. 9).

THC will enter the brain and it will think it is a reward system and give off the
feeling of being high. It will make an individual feel euphoric.

“THC activates the reward system in the same way that nearly all drugs of abuse do:
by stimulating brain cells to release the chemical dopamine” (National Institute of
Drug Abuse).

Relaxation is another impact on the brain from the THC.

“Other effects, which vary dramatically among different users, include heightened
sensory perception (e.g., brighter colors), laughter, altered perception of time, and
increased appetite. After a while, the euphoria subsides, and the user may feel
sleepy or depressed”(National Institute of Drug Abuse).

THC also affects balance and coordination when marijuana is taken. “parts of the
brain that regulate balance, posture, coordination, and reaction time. Therefore,
learning, doing complicated tasks, participating in athletics, and driving are also
affected” (National Institute of Drug Abuse).

“If you use cannabis and have a family background of mental illness, such as
schizophrenia, you may be at increased risk of developing a psychotic illness”(The
Dangers of Cannabis, 2014).
Pot withdrawal symptoms are more common in heavy,
chronic users such as mixing different drugs. It is
commonly thought pot withdrawal symptoms generally
appear 1-2 days after cessation of marijuana to 7-14 days
after. Weed withdrawal symptoms are at their most severe
3 days into abstinence (Healthy Place, Para 2).
 Withdrawal can be different depending on the person but
some common withdrawals include:
-Anger
-Anxiety
-Decreased appetite
-Sleep Difficulty
-Depression
(Healthy Place, Para. 2).

 “Drug
Class: Cannabis/ Marijuana: spectrum
of behavioral effects is unique, preventing
classification of the drug as a stimulant,
sedative, tranquilizer, or hallucinogen.
Dronabinol: appetite stimulant, antiemetic”
(Drugs and Human Performance Fact Sheet,
Para. 4).
 A stimulant - a substance that raises levels of
physiological or nervous activity in the body.
Mary Jane
 produce
 ganja
 pot
 weed
 toke
 dope
 grass
 hash
 blunt


After smoking marijuana, the effects are felt within minutes and
it peaks usually at 10-30 minutes of smoking.

For typical marijuana smokers, the high usually lasts for two
hours.

“Most behavioral and physiological effects return to baseline
levels within 3-5 hours after drug use, although some
investigators have demonstrated residual effects in specific
behaviors up to 24 hours, such as complex divided attention
tasks” (Drug and Performance Human Fact Sheets, Para. 18).

When a temporary over dose is in place, this is called ‘greening
out’.

An overdoes on marijuana will not cause a death but it can
happen more often to people who have never smoked marijuana
before.

“The following are the symptoms of too much marijuana in the
system:

Paranoia

Shortness of breath

Pupil Dilation

Vomiting

Hallucinations

Hangover”
(New Health Guide, Para. 2).

“A fatal marijuana overdose in humans would take 40,000
times the amount of THC that it took to get them high in
the first place. In comparison, it would only take 5 to 10
times the amount of alcohol to get drunk to kill a human.
If you can get drunk on 3 beers, then 15 to 30 beers can
cause death. If you inhale 3 puffs of marijuana smoke and
get high, then you would have to take 120,000 puffs of
marijuana smoke to be fatal” (New Health Guide, Para 2).

FourCast – “Fourcast is a community addiction treatment agency offering professional counselling services
for anyone concerned about substance use or problem gambling, whether it is for them or someone they
care about” (Fourcast).

Fourcast is free and confidential when on OW.
Some programs involved with Fourcast include:
Back on Track
Community Education & Professional Training
Ontario Works – Addiction Services Initiative
Umbrellas: Services for Pregnant and/or Parenting Women
Problem Gambling
Community Withdrawal Management
Individual and Group Counselling
Addiction Supportive Housing
“Fourcast’s substance use and problem gambling services are funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term
Care” (Fourcast).
No limit to appointments.
130 Hunter Street West, Unit 200
Peterborough, ON K9H 2K8
View Map

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

“The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada's largest mental health and
addiction teaching hospital, as well as one of the world's leading research centres in the area of
addiction and mental health. CAMH combines clinical care, research, education, policy
development and health promotion to help transform the lives of people affected by mental
health and addiction issues” (CAMH, 2014).

CAMH had a wide variety of clinical programs, support and rehabilitation.

Mississauga is the closest.

“CAMH's Addiction Program offers specialized treatment options to meet the unique needs of all
CAMH clients with drug, alcohol, gambling or other addiction issues. Taking into consideration the
different treatment needs of the communities we serve, the Addictions Program offers a range of
services to meet those needs” (CAMH, 2014).
Archer, D. (2012, May 5). Is Marijuana Addictive?. Psychology Today. Retrieved March 17, 2014, from
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/reading-between-the-headlines/201205/is-marijuanaaddictive
Brannon, C. (2013, August 16). Signs of Someone Smoking Marijuana. LIVESTRONG.COM. Retrieved
March 17, 2014, from http://www.livestrong.com/article/239720-signs-of-someone-smokingmarijuana/
Chasnoff, I. (n.d.). Aristotle's Child. Marijuana Use in Pregnancy: Implications for State Laws.
Retrieved March 17, 2014, from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/aristotleschild/201401/marijuana-use-in-pregnancy-implications-state-laws
Marijuana. (n.d.). Infoplease. Retrieved March 16, 2014, from
http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/science/marijuana-history-marijuana-use.html
Marijuana Dependence. Signs of Marijuana Use Vs. Abuse, Tolerance. (n.d.). Marijuana Dependence –
Effects of Marijuana Abuse – Marijuana Addiction Treatment. Retrieved March 17, 2014, from
http://www.dependency.net/learn/marijuana/
The Science of Marijuana: How THC Affects the Brain. (n.d.). Heads Up for Students. Retrieved March
16, 2014, from http://headsup.scholastic.com/articles/the-science-of-marijuana
Cannabis / Marijuana ( D 9 -Tetrahydrocannabinol, THC). (n.d.). Drugs and Human Performance Fact
Sheet. Retrieved March 17, 2014, from http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/researc
Cannabis. (2011, November 15). EMCDDA. Retrieved March 17, 2014, from
http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/online/annual-report/2011/cannabis/3
Dupont, R., Bailey, J., & Teitelbaum, S. (n.d.). Cannabis use disorder: Clinical features and diagnosis.
Up To Date. Retrieved March 17, 2014, from http://www.uptodate.com/contents/cannabis-usedisorder-clinical-features-and-diagnosis
Marijuana. (n.d.). How does marijuana use affect your brain and body?. Retrieved March 15, 2014,
from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/marijuana-abuse/how-does-marijuana-use-affect-yourbrain-body
Marijuana Withdrawal and Managing Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms. (n.d.). Healthy Place. Retrieved
March 17, 2014, from http://www.healthyplace.com/addictions/marijuana-addiction/marijuanawithdrawal-and-managing-marijuana-withdrawal-symptoms/
New Health Guide. (n.d.). Can You Overdose On Marijuana?. Retrieved March 16, 2014, from
http://www.newhealthguide.org/Can-You-Overdose-On-Marijuana.html
Sanchez, K. (2001, February 19). Marijuana and Pregnancy on MedicineNet.com. MedicineNet.
Retrieved March 17, 2014, from http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=51663
The Dangers of Cannabis. (n.d.). NHS Choices. Retrieved March 17, 2014, from
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/drugs/Pages/Cannabisdangers.aspx
HIV/AIDS. (n.d). Medical Marijuana. Retrieved March 20th, 2014, from
http://medicalmarijuana.ca/learning-center/conditions/hive-aids
http://sdrg.org/presentations/ADAI_Bailey.pdf