MARIJUANA

Dr. Muhammad Shahzad Aslam

Ph.D., M.Phil., Pharm-D., R.Ph
Xiamen University Malaysia
LEARNING OBJECTIVE

 Describe the relationship between marijuana, cannabis,

Hashish and THC
 Discuss evidence for the abuse potential of marijuana
 List down the influences on the psychological and Behavioral
effects of marijuana
 Describe the effects of marijuana use on driving ability, the
lungs, sperm motility, and the immune system.
 Describe the range of evidence relating to whether marijuana
smoking leads to brain damage in humans
CANNABIS, THE PLANT

 Cannabis is the real name of the plant, the scientific name.

 Marijuana however is a nickname of Mexican origin, coming from the word
marihuana.

Cannabis sativa Cannabis ruderalis

• The leaves of Cannabis
sativa leaves are long
and narrow as compared
to rounded and wider
leaves of Indica.

• The leaves of Ruderalis

is also narrow and less
branched
WHAT IS HASHISH

 Hashish (hash eesh or hash

eesh): concentrated resin
from the Cannabis plant.
(THC) MEANS FOR WHAT?

 delta-9-
tetrahydrocannabinol,
the most active
chemical in marijuana
SINSEMILLA

 “without seeds”; a method of

growing more potent
marijuana.
 Cannabis of a variety that has
a particularly high
concentration of psychoactive
agents.
 Female not been pollinated
PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS

 Cardiovascular Effects such as

increase in heart rate.
 Reddening of the eyes
 Dryness of the mouth and throat
 Impairment of lung function
 Patients with hypertension, should
probably avoid smoking marijuana
BEHAVIOURAL EFFECTS

 Self-administration
 Subjective Effects
 Cognitive Effects
 Appetite
 Talking
CAUSES FOR CONCERN

 Abuse and Dependence

 Toxicity Potential
ACUTE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS

 Increase in the heart rate.

 Individuals with high blood pressure, heart disease, or
hardening of the arteries might be harmed by smoking
marijuana.
 One is the effect on lung function and the concern about
lung cancer.
 Marijuana smoke has been compared with tobacco
smoke
ANXIETY

 Increased anxiety or panic

reaction.
 Fear of loss of control and
fear that things will not
return to normal
REPRODUCTIVE EFFECTS

 Heavy marijuana smoking can decrease testosterone

levels in men.
 Diminished sperm counts and abnormal sperm
structure in heavy marijuana users has been reported.
 It is wise to avoid the use of all recreational drugs
during pregnancy.
THE IMPACT OF MARIJUANA ON BRAIN
FUNCTIONS
REFERENCE

Drug society and human behavior 17th edition by Carl Hart and Charles Ksir