The Dangers of Marijuana

Paper Summary:

The paper relates that marijuana is considered a dangerous addictive drug that is often a "gateway" to the use of more dangerous addictive drugs. The paper discusses how researchers are now investigating this drug for more therapeutic usage. The paper explains how marijuana works, its medical uses and the suspected harmful long-term effects in habitual users. The paper stresses that for the lay person, the dangers of long-term marijuana use are clear. As far as medical use is concerned, the paper explains that the potential dangers of use will have to be weighed against the potential dangers of the disease.

Outline:
Pharmacology
Changes in Brain and Behavior
Medical Uses of Marijuana

From the Paper:

"The effects of marijuana intoxication include the sensation that time passes more slowly, and an altered awareness of the body and environment around the person (Murray, 1985). There are also a number of emotional changes that occur as well. Intoxication with marijuana produces difficulty with motor coordination, impaired learning, difficulty paying attention and memory loss (Murray 1985). Compared to other psychotropic drugs such as cocaine and MDMA (Methamphetamine), marijuana is considered to be relatively harmless (Lundquist 2005). However, some long term effects, such as neurotoxicity are a concern regarding the long-term medical use of the plant."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bolla, K., Brown, K., Eldreth, D., Tate, B., and Cadet, J. (2002). Dose-related neurocognitive effects of marijuana use. Neurology 59:1337-1343.
• Farthing, G. (1992) The Psychology of Consciousness. Prentice Hall
• Gazzaniga, M., Ivry R., and Mangun, G. (1998) Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biology of the Mind. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Grant, I., Gonzalez, R., Carey, C., Natatajan, L., and Wolfson, T. (2003). Non-acute (residual) neurocognitive effects of cannabis use: A meta-analytic study. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society. 9: 679.
• Jorda, M., Ravman, N., Tas, M., Verbkel, S., Battista, N., van Lom, K., Lowenberg, B., Maccarrone, M., and Delwel, R. (2004). The peripheral cannabinoid receptor Cb2, frequently expressed on AML blasts, either induces a neurophilic differentiation block or confers abnormal migration properties in a ligand-dependent manner. Blood 104 92); 526-534.

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