Cannabis

Question 1

What did the early study by Mechoulam et al. (1970) show about the behavioural effects of THC?

Answer 1

• Divided fractions of hashish oils by size (molecular weight) and injected i.v. Into rhesus monkeys
• Cannabis-like effects (red eyes, sedation & “peculiar posture”) only in those treated with fraction containing THC – evidence for THC as the bioactive compound

Question 2

What are the 3 different preparations of cannabis?

Answer 2

Ganja - small leaves & stems of non-flowering plant
Bhang / weed - dried leaves, flowering shoots & buds
Hashish - resin exudes from flower tops (trichomes)

Question 3

What did the study by Buxbaum (1972) on cannabis show?

Answer 3

[tests in rodents]

Identified that THC produced a dose-dependent ‘tetrad’ of behaviours:
1. Hypolocomotion
2. Hypothermia
3. Catalepsy
4. Analgesia (with a potency similar to morphine)