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ABOUT MARIJUANA
Weed, pot, Mary Jane, herb, dope, grass. Marijuana goes by many names, but no matter what you call it, it remains the number one illegal recreational drug in the United States. Though some states have laws permitting the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, possession and distribution of the drug is still largely considered a misdemeanor. Yet, regardless of whether or not any drug is legal, abuse is still possible and always very harmful. Despite arguments for and against its use, marijuana users may not be immune to addiction.
A by-product of the Cannabis sativa plant, marijuana has been used by various cultures for centuries for medicinal and spiritual uses. The ancient Aryan indians used a form of cannibis in tribal rituals, and the drug has been known to treat discomfort from headaches, glaucoma, and nausea resulting from chemotherapy. Marijuana also has a strong association to pop culture. It is not uncommon for people to pass around a joint during a rock concert, while films like "Half Baked" and "Harold and Kumar" have helped bring marijuana use into the mainstream.
Marijuana may be smoked like tobacco, packed in a pipe or rolled like a cigarette, or eaten - often it is baked into brownies and cookies. It is the active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, that effects the immune system during intake. THC may promote a prolonged feeling of relaxation and/or disorientation in users, encourage sleepiness and increase the appetite (also known as "getting the munchies").
A number of negative side effects, including loss of memory and increasing paranoia, are thought to be attributed to overuse of the drug. Like regular tobacco, regular use of marijuana may also increase the risk for lung cancer and other related illnesses. It is also argued that marijuana is a "gateway" drug, leading users to try harder stimulants and narcotics once the body has become accustomed to THC's numbing effects, yearning for a stronger high.
If you suspect a loved one is abusing marijuana, it is best to not to wait until that happens. Now is the time to intervene.
SIGNS THAT A LOVED ONE MAY BE ABUSING MARIJUANA
- Sudden mood changes, depression and listlessness
- Redness in the eyes
- Problems with concentration, short-term memory loss
- Change in appearance
- Marijuana has a distinct odor that lingers in clothes and hair when smoked
If you or somebody you love is abusing drugs, Williamsburg Place is here to help in your rehabilitation and recovery. Please contact us today to learn more about intervention and overcoming addiction.
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