PAGE FOUR
THE KINGS MOUNTAIN HERALD. KINGS MOUNTAIN. N. C.
Thursday, NovemW 16, 1^2
TO WHOM IT MHY CONCERN
WHAT IS MARIJUANA?
Marijuana is a dried plant material from the Indian hemp plant
(“Cannabis sativa’.) The plant grows wild in many parts of the worl'd,
including the United States, and is ti’cquently cultivated for its com
mercial value in the production of fiber for rope, bird seed, and other
purposes. In its drug use it is known by such names as “pot,” "grass,”
r.ced,' “Mary Jane,’’ and many others.
For use as a drug, the leaves and flowering tops of the plant arc!
dried and crushed or broken into small fragments which are then
typically rolled into thin homemade cigarettes, often.called “joints.” If
may also be smoked in small pipes and is occasionally incorporated into
iood and eaten. The smoke smells like burning rope or alfalfa. Because
of its distinctive odor, users sometimes burn incense to mask the smell.
Marijuana varies greatly in strength, depending upon vyhere it is
grown, whether it is wild or specifically cultivated for smoking or eat
ing, and which portions of the plant actually go into the drug mixture.
Mtirijuana is also sometimes adulterated with other materials such as
I lie seeds and stems, tea, catnip, or oregano, still further reducing the
strength of the resulting mixture.
Hashish (“Hash") is the potent dark brown resin which is collected
fi om the tops of high quality cannabis. Because of the high concentra
tion of resin, it is often five or .six times stronger than the usual mari
juana, although the active drug ingredients are the same. Basically it
is a much more concentrated form of the drug.
Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC (technically THC), is considered
to be the basic active active ingredient in marijuana and hashish. The
amount of this chemical present determines the strength of the drug.
Although various substances called THC have been sold illegahy, the
hiih cost and the difficulty of producing the material make it very
unlikely that it is actually available illicitly. No samples of THC pur
chased on the black market have been found to be THC on chemical
anaivsis to this date.
WHAT IS ITS USE?
Marijuana has been in widespread use for several thousand years,
boih tor its intoxicating effects and for its presumed value as a medi
cine. As a medicine it has been used for such varied complaints as
pain, cough, i-heumatism, asthma, and migraine headaches. Other drugs
have taken its place in modern medicine and at present it is no longer
prescribed in the United States. Despite the fact that the drug is ille
gal in almost all countries, it has continued to be used for its intoxicat
ing effects by many millions, especially in Asia and Africa.
HOW WIDELY IS IT USED IN THE
UNITED STATES?
While estimates based on various surveys differ, it is generally
conceded that the use of marijuana has undergone a sharp increase in
the last several years, particularly among young people. On some col-
l(*ge campuses where use is extensive, a majority of the students have
tried the drug at least once. Use which was originally re.stricted to a
small number of groups has now expanded to include individuals fi’om
many widely different social backgrounds.
While the exact extent of marijuana use in the United States is not
known, health authorities believe that as many as 8 to 12 million Amer
icans have used the drug at least once in their lives. Other estimates
have ranged as high as 20 million. Perhaps as many as one million are
"Hotheads.” They have made marijuana a way of life, and are the equiv
alent of the chronic alcohqlic who also uses a chemical to deal with
problems ol living. Research studies are under way to examine trends
in use and to determine more precisely patterns of use.
HOW DOES THE DRUG WORK?
When smoked, marijuana quickly enters the blood stream and
within minutes begins to affect the user's mood and thinking. The exact
mechanisms of action and the alterations of cerebral metabolism aie
not well understood. Extensive research is currently under way to pro
vide this basic information. Because it can cause hallucinations if used
in very high doses, marijuana is technically classified as a mild hallu
cinogen. Despite several thousand years of use, less is presently known
about the mode of action of this drug than is known about most other
drugs in widespread use. It is only in the la.st few years that tte syn
thesis of THC and the development of methods to assay THC in mari
juana have made precision experiments possible.
WHAT ARE ITS PHYSICAL EFFECTS?
The long-term physical effects of marijuana are not yet known.
To answer this que.stion, extensive scientific research is currently un
der way. It is based on both laboratory findings and research in coun-
iries.
The immediate physical effects of the user while smoking include
reddening of the whites of the eyes, increased heart beat, and coughing
due to the irritating effect of the smoke on the lungs. Users also report
dryness of the mouth and throat. Reports of increased hunger and
sleepliness are also common.
WHAT ARE ITS PSYCHOLOGICAL
EFFECTS?
The drug's effects on the emotions and senses vary widely, depend
ing on such factors as the user’s expectations, the circumstances of u.se
and. of course, the strength and quantity of the drug used. Typically
tune is distorted and seems much extended—5 minutes may seem like
an hour. Space may seem enlarged or otherwise distorted. Sounds and
colors sometimes seem intensified. Thought frequently becomes di'eam-
like. The notion that one is thinking better is not unusual. Illusions-
misintei'pretation of sensations are often reported. Hallucinations ex
periencing non-existent sensations and delusions-false beliefs-are rare.
Frequently the user undergoes a kind of passive withdraw'al accom-
jianied by some degree of “high.” The individual tends to withdraw
into himself. Occasionally, uncontrollable laughter or crying may oc
cur. While some users find the effects pleasant, others find them fright
ening or very unpleasant. Unfounded suspiciousness may occur and
this may be accompanied by marked fear or anxiety. Occasionally, such
reactions may be sufficiently severe as to cause a susceptible individual
to develop symptoms of panic, a paranoid .state or a temporary break
with reality. Such effects may be more likely to occur in the youthful
user whose personality is still in the pi^cess of rapid change.
Recent evidence has documented a Joss of - immediate recall, and
difficulty in thinking and - speech due to disorganization of recent
memory. The.se have been found in experiments with single doses. The
implications for the chronic marijuana user must await additional in
vestigation.
HOW DOES MARIJUANA AFFECT
JUDGEMENT?
A person under the influence of marijuana may find it much harder
to make decisions requiring logioal thinking. At the same time he may
cri’oneously believe that his judgment is unimp'aired, or even that his
mental functioning has been enhanced by the action of the drug. Per
forming any comple.x task requiring good reflexts and clear thinking
may be impaired, making such task as driving particulcirly dangerous.
Research is cimrently under way to more acciu’ately determine fiie
effects of varying quantities of marijuana on driving and other skiHed
activities.
IS MARIJUANA LESS HARMFUL
THAN ALCOHOL?
The results of intoxication by both drugs can be harmful.
We kriovv that alcohol is a dangerous drug - physically, psycho
logically, or socially'for millions of people whose drinking is out of con
trol. There is no firm evidence that marijuana would be less harmful
if used consistently. American experience to date has largely been
limited to mariju^a of low potency, infrequently used over a relatively
short period of time. In countries where the use of marijuana and re
lated drugs has been widespread, “skid rows” based on marijuana use
exist. At present the research evidence is insufficient to answer this
question with certainty. It should, however, be remembered that it fre
quently requires extensive use over a long period of time by large num
bers of people before the public health implications of a drug are clear
ly understood.
WHAT ARE THE LATEST ONDINGS
AROUTTlffiQRUGt
With increasinglyWidespread use have come - numerous reports
of adverse reactions to the drug. While not typical, instances of acute
panic, depression, and occasionally more serious mental illness have
followed the use of marijuana in susceptible individuals. There is rea
son to believe that such reactions may be more likely to occur in the
youthful user.
Working with man-made tetrahydrocannabinol, a leading scientist
recently found that high dosages of the drug brought on severe reac
tions in every person tested.
The scientist obseiwed that a dose equal to one cigarette of the
weak United States type can make the smoker feel excited, gay, or silly.
After larger amounts, the user experiences changes in perception. Co
lors seem brighter, his sense of hearing seems keener. After a dose
equal to 10 cigarettes, he experiences visual hallucinations, illusions,
or delusions. His mdod may swing from great joy to extreme horror.
He may become deeply depressed, or have feelings of uneasiness, unre
ality, or suspiciousness.
IS MARIJUANA ADDICTING?
Authorities now think in terms of drug “dependence” rather than
“addiction.” Marijuana, which is not a narcotic, does not cause physical
dependence as do heroin and other narcotics. This means that the body
does not become dependent on contimiing use of the drug. The body
probably does not develop a tolerance to.the drug, either, which would
make larger and targer doses necessary to geit the same effects. With
drawal from marijuana used in ordinary amounts does not produce
physical sickness.
A number of acientistp thinA the drug can cause psychological de-
pandeilM.H takin rtguUrly. AB nsearohers agree that more know
ledge 6f the lengwterm phyakEl, pdreontl, and aoelal eoneequencae of
ma^uana use is needed bnore national decisions about its legal status
can be made.
DOES IT LEAD TO USE OF NARCOTICS?
A 1967 study of narcotic addicts from city areas showed that ml
than 80 per cent had previously used marijuana. Of the muen wii
number of persons who use marijuana, scientists agree ihat levv
on to use morphine and heroin. No direct cau.se-and-effect-link be d
the use of marijuana and narcotic has been found. Re.searchere pol
out, however, that a person predisposed to abuse a drug may H
to abuse other, stronger drugs. Wc rme cui’rently
drug use among young people, involving marijuana, stimulants, s ct|
lives, hallucinogens and, increasingly, opium and heroin.
WHAT ARE THE LAWS
DEALING WITH MARIJUANA?
The Federal law's relating to marijuana have been revised. Under
the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of IJiO.
possessing or giving away marijuana is a misdemeanor instead of A
felony, and a minimum mandatory penalties for such offenses aiv
abolished. However, the penalties remain heavy. Possessing or giving
away a small amount of marijuana w'ith no charge may bring up to 1
year’s imprisonment and-or a .‘55,000 maximum tine. Funishment b. -
conies more severe for a second and subsequent ottenses, which an>
punishable by imprisonment up to 3 years and-or a maximum fine oi
$10,000. Heavy punishment confronts a person, at least 18 years of
age, who distributes or sells marijuana, even for a trivial surn, to on,'
who is under 21 years of age. For a first offense, the penalty is imjii'i-
sonment for up to 10 years and-or a $30,0(X) fine w’hich goes up to l.i
years imprisonment and a .$43,000 fine for second or subsequent of
fenses. If a person is under 21 on a first offense, he may be placed on
probation in lieu of sentencing and the official record of his arnM,
trial and conviction may be erased after satisfactory completion of pro
bation. Persons involved in a continuing criminal enterpri.se face pen
alties of 10 yeai’s to life for the first offense, plus a $100,000 fine and
forfeiture of profits resulting from the enterprise. A second offen.se
will bring 20 years to life, and a $200,000 fine.
Many State laws arc more severe than the Federal law, dellin;
W'ith marijuana as if it were a narcotic. '
WHAT ARE THE SPECIAL RISKS
FOR YOUNG USERS?
Breaking the laws dealing w'ith marijuana can have serious effect
on the lives of young people. They may find their education interrii;)i
cd and their future shadowed or altered by having a police record. An
arrest or conviction can complicate their life and i)laiis at many turn;.
For example, in many states, a person with a police record must nii'cl
special conditions to obtain or renew' a driver's licen.se. Conviction can
prevent a person from entering such professions as medicine, law. nr
teaching. It can make it difficult for him to get a responsible posilioii
in business or Industry. Special hearings are necessary before he c;i'i
hold a government job. Before a student tries marijuana he should
be aware of the social and legal realities about getting involved wiili
the drug.
Other risks are pointed out by experts on human growth and d;-
velopment. They say that a more subtle result of any drug abuse u.’i
the young person is its effect on his personality and development. For
young people to experiment w'ith drugs at a time when they are goiti;;
through a period of many changes in their transition to adulthood i.s
a seriously questionable practice.
“It can be espajclally disturbing to a young pei’son who is alreadv
having enough of a ta.sk getting adjusted to life and establi.shing his
values," says an NIMH scientist engaged in studies of young marijuiuti
users.
Another reason for caution: statements being reported by studeiil-;
that the use of marijuana is “medically safe,” are not supported by
scientific evidence. It is hoped that research now underway may add to
the little currently known about the effects of the use of marijuana.
■ /
WHAT RESEARCH IS REING DONE?
The National Institute of Mental Health is carrying on an c.xtensivc \l
ogram of research to learn more about marijuana and to present I
is knowlertcrp tn tho nnhll/. 1
program
this kncnvledge to the public.
The program of the NIMH Center for Studies of Narcotic and Driid
Abuse Includes surveys of the use of marijuana and other drugs of a-
huse to learn more about how' widely they are being used and wlun
effects different amounts and periods of use have upon people, physii-
ally and psychologically. In countries where marijuana use has been
widespread over long periods, studies are being conducted to determinr
the long-range effects of the drug. With NIMH support, scientists are
n(jw studying all aspects of the effects of marijuana—how it interfere
with normal mental processes?, and its effect upon the centers control
ling emotion, elertness, sensation, and behavior. The disparity between
subjective estimate of performance is being scrutinized. The possible
harmful effects of the smoke and its effect upon the unborn are under
study. Possible uses for TUC are being researched. Most Impor^it
the answers to the question, of the long-term effects upon body
mind are being sought.
gi