Cannabis: Definition and drugs extracted from it
Cannabis or Indian hemp is a plant from which is extracted a number of drugs including milla, Hashish and Hashish oil. These drugs affect the mind since they contain the “Tetra-Hydro-Cannabinol THC” which is the core active substance. In addition to “THC”, these species contain other chemicals.
These drugs are distributed according to the percentage of “THC” it contains and which is as follows:
1. Regular marijuana, which typically contains the equivalent of 3% “THC”. The higher the percentage of “THC” is in it, the stronger is its impact on its user.
2. The Since-Milla (made of the surfaces of the female flowering plants). It contains between 7.5 and 24% “THC”.
3. Hashish (the gum extracted from the female flowering plants). It contains between 3.6 and 28% “THC”.
4. Hashish oil (which is a black fluid extracted from hashish). It contains between 16 and 43% “THC”.
Marijuana
Marijuana is a brown, green or grey mix from the dried and chopped leaves, stems, seeds and flowers of the Indian hemp (Cannabis). The most commonly used expressions for Marijuana are: “Marry Jane,” “Weed,” “Grass,” “Pot,” and “Herb”.
Marijuana is usually mixed with tobacco and enrolled in the cigarette paper to be smoked. It is also possible to smoke Marijuana by pipe or water pipe (narguile) or even mix it with boiling food or tea.
Marijuana’s close-term effects:
1.Voice thickening and changes in taste
2.Sense of slow time-passage (minutes pass as hours)
3.Severe thirst and gluttony in eating
4.Amplification of absurd and non-important events
5.Mouth dryness
6.Poisoning
7.Acceleration in the heartbeat
8.Loss of coordination and balance
9.Slowing down in the reactions
10.Eyes redness
11.Rise in the blood pressure
12.Drowsiness
13.Memory bug
14.Difficulty in accomplishing simple tasks
The use of marijuana by a nursing mother passes “THC” to the child through the milk, since “THC” is concentrated in her milk more than it is in her blood.
Marijuana’s long-term effects:
Fat cells absorb “THC” quickly. When making a urine test several days after the smoking session, the presence of remnants of this substance can be detected. If the smoker is an addict, detecting the presence of this substance is easier because it remains in his urine for several weeks.
Marijuana destroys the memory cells of the abuser which results in a lower performance at school, university or work. Marijuana also causes its abuser to lose its coordination ability and become out of control and unable to exercise.
Moreover, Marijuana lowers the sight and hearing thus exposing its abusers to driving accidents.
Scientific discoveries indicate that the regular use of Marijuana or Hashish (THC) might cause cancer, respiratory diseases, diseases of the immune system and diseases of the reproductive system.
Cancer: It is difficult to determine whether marijuana alone causes cancer, especially that most of its abusers smoke cigarettes and use other drugs, too. The smoke from marijuana contains the same contents available in cigarettes’ smoke and which cause cancer, that’s why smoking 5 marijuana cigarettes per week is considered as equivalent to smoking a cigarettes pack per day.
Immune system: Marijuana affects the immune system in the lungs which become unable to fight infections.
Lungs and respiratory system: Marijuana abusers suffer from the same respiratory diseases from which cigarette smokers suffer. They are subject to the daily cough and chronic bronchitis, cold, as well as the inflammation of lungs (pneumonie). Ongoing marijuana smoking leads to the dysfunction of the lungs and the respiratory system
Brain: THC affects the nerve cells responsible for memory in the brain which makes it difficult on the abuser to remember recent events (events that occurred a few minutes ago), as well as to learn simple tasks and apply them. Marijuana abuse causes alterations in the brain similar to those caused by cocaine, Heroin and alcohol. Some researchers believe that such changes make the abuser more vulnerable to become addicted on other substances.
Besides, THC gradually kills the brain cells, just as happens when the person grows old.
Marijuana abuse does not cause physiological addiction like that caused by heroin, but its abuse makes the abuser subject to suffering the symptoms of agitation, loss of appetite, sleep problems, weight loss and hands’ trembling.