Marijuana, or more accurately "Cannabis", also known as "grass", "weed", "pot", or as the herb "ganja" (made from the flowers and resin) as referred to in India or "charas" (from resin only), has been perceived more and more in the 21st century as a harmless drug, suitable for use as a recreational "high" or to relieve pain as a medical use. Unfortunately, the legalization and increased use that is a consequence of the promotion of its use as harmless has led to many negative consequences.
Cannabis is from the India hemp plant. In ancient China and India (i.e. in the centuries BC, "before Christ") it was used as a drug for various purposes. Hemp was eventually cultivated in Europe and was being used in the Arab world among muslims who are prohibited from drinking alcohol. The drug eventually made its way into the United States in the 20th century AD.
The most commonly used form of cannabis in the USA is marijuana, the dried tobacco-like leaves and flowers of the cannabis plant (i.e. for smoking). Marijuana is also baked into foods like brownies, or brewed as tea, so be careful who you accept brownies from. Hash (hashish) is a more concentrated cannabis pressed into bricks for smoking. In the USA marijuana is smoked from joints (paper rolled cigarettes), or a water pipe - a "bong" - which filters the smoke through water first. The purpose of a bong? To remove toxic compounds that honest people know are prevalent in cannabis such as benzopyrene (a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) and cytotoxins (which impair immune system cells). Bongs however also remove much of the THC, making them not produce a notable "high" (i.e. defeats the purpose).
60 unique chemical compounds and 400 overall are present in cannabis. The most psycho-active
among them are known as THCs (tetrahydrocannabinols). The amount of THC present in any given plant depends on factors such as the plant strain, growth environment, and storage environment. When the plant is burned (i.e. smoked), the burning produces new chemicals such as carbon monoxide, cyanide, benzopyrene, and tar. If pesticides remain on the plant material being smoked, you can ingest the toxic pesticide chemicals as well.
It is a misconception that "pot" is harmless. Consider the following:
Negative consequences of cannabis use:
- The natural product can harbor bacteria and fungi, some of which are harmful if inhaled. Aspergillus, salmonella, streptococcus, klebsiella, and enterobacter to name a few. This is particularly dangerous for people with weak immune systems (cancer patients, AIDS patients, etc).
THCs have been speculated to cause aging cells to die faster, which also leads to accelerated aging among users (i.e. look older than their age).
- Similar to tobacco cigarettes, marijuana smoke contains cyanide, as well as benzopyrene (carcinogen) and carbon monoxide. Marijuana can contain much more carbon monoxide than cigarettes. Carcinogens such as nitrogen oxide, cyanide, and some aromatic amines are present in marijuana smoke.
- If the cannabis was grown in residual volcanic soil, marijuana users will ingest mercury which progressively poisons the body and can cause brain damage.
- Pot smoke contains 20 times more ammonia than tobacco. Ammonia is corrosive (caustic) to lung tissue, nasal tissue, throat tissue, etc.
- Short term effects include a perception of slower time, a reduced ability to gauge distance, depth, or speed, anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks, and hallucinations. The effects are more pronounced the more concentrated the THCs in the product.
- Cannabinoids bind to areas of the brain called THC receptors, particularly in the hippocampus area, reducing the ability to learn and reducing memory function (i.e. you appear dumber).
- Long-term use of cannabis causes changes in the brain that negatively impact learning and memory abilities. Brain scans of pot-smokers have revealed changes in blood flow to parts of the brain that influence memory and attention, and changes in the size of the thalamus, the part of the brain that influences information processing.
- Heart rate and blood pressure increase when THCs are ingested. Pupils dilate, eyes become bloodshot, mouth becomes dry, and appetite increases ("the munchies"). The THCs negatively impact sense of balance and coordination, similar to a drunk or other intoxication. The impairments can be dangerous to the user and those around him or her if operating vehicles or machinery etc. A study by a Columbia University affiliated group in 2011 found that DUI was 200% higher among pot-smokers than non-pot-smokers (1). Traffic fatality victims of pot-smoking drivers accumulate by the week and the prevalence of pot-smokers among DUI killers has skyrocketed (6).
- Toddlers whose parents smoke marijuana have been found to exhibit higher frequencies of angry behavioral problems.
- THCs have been correlated to increased frequencies of leukemia in children born from pot-smoking mothers.
- Long-term negative consequences of smoking or ingesting marijuana include a higher risk of chronic lung diseases such as bronchitis, asthma, lung infections, and emphysema (all breathing problems). Asthma in particular has been proven to develop in 50% more pot-smokers than non-pot smokers. Phlegm is 5 times more frequent in pot-smokers (500%) (4). Interestingly lung cancer frequency is not yet proven higher, possibly due to the early termination (killing) of aging lung cells before they can mutate to a cancer, or due to the less frequent average use relative to cigarettes. Damage to DNA and cells can still instigate lung cancer, however, and cancers of the neck and head are more frequent in cannabis users.
- In men marijuana use has been correlated to reduced sperm counts (inability to impregnate) and early impotence. Marijuana use has been correlated to a 200% frequency of testicular cancer (2x higher rate) ("testicular germ cell tumor") relative to non-users (5), which is adequate evidence to indicate cannabis and/or its smoke derivative can lead to testicular carcinogenesis.
- Combining cannabis with another drug use can instigate a heart attack (stress on cardiovascular system).
- Many users ultimately recognize they are addicted and seek treatment (detox) for marijuana dependence, proving cannabis is an addictive drug. According to the Mayo Clinic, 10% of users who start before age 25 become addicted.
- Marijuana use has been correlated to behavior that exhibits a lack of ambition, lack of drive, lack of energy, that has negative consequences in the quality of life of the individual and his or her family, coworkers, and friends. Cannabis use commonly negatively impacts job prospects, education prospects, and job security.
- Marijuana use is scientifically proven to negatively impact brain development in teenagers (i.e. permanent brain damage causing loss of IQ and quality of other functions).
- Marijuana use leads to Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome or "CHS". Pot smokers or cannabis pill takers suffer from severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, sometimes relieved by taking a hot shower, but severe enough that many go to the hospital because patients feel like they are horribly ill. CHS can lead to kidney failure (requiring a kidney transplant if you can get one) and dehydration.
- Marijuana use has been correlated to instigating mental illness for people who already had a genetic tendency toward developing mental illness. Cannabis has been found to double the risk of developing psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia (2).
- The use of marijuana as a pain reliever (temporary benefit) does not outweigh the potential damage of the drug. A study of multiple-sclerosis patients smoking weed were found for example to be twice a likely as non-pot-smokers to develop prolonged cognitive impairments (3).
Legalizing marijuana can be considered terrible public policy as evidenced by the consequences in the Colorado and Washington state experiments (see other blog post).
References:
(1) Mu-Chen Li et al., "Marijuana Use and Motor Vehicle Crashes", Epidemiologic Reviews, Oct. 4, 2011.
2) Dr. Wayne Hall, Professor of Addiction Policy, King's College, London; Advisor to the W.H.O.
(3) Kinia Honarmand et al., University of Toronto affiliated study, "Effects of Cannabis on Cognitive Function in Patients with MS", Neurology, 76 (13): p. 1153-1160.
(4) Brent Moore et al., "Respiratory Effects of Marijuana and Tobacco Use in a U.S. Sample", Journal of General Internal Medicine, 20(1): p. 33-37.
(5) John Charles A. Lacson, et al., "Population-based Case Control Study of Recreational Drug Use and Testis Cancer Risk Confirms An Association Between Marijuana Use and Nonseminoma Risk", Cancer Magazine, American Cancer Society, Sept. 2012.
(6) "Washington State Marijuana Impact Report", 2016, NW HIDTA for the National Office of Drug Control Policy.
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Cully Stimson, "Stoned Drivers are Killing More and More Innocent Victims", 2016, CNSnews report.
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AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety report, "Prevalence of Marijuana Involvement in Fatal Crashes: Washington [State} 2010-2014".
