Chapter 15 Flashcards
What are the major differences between C. sativa and C. indica?
Cannabis sativa: originated in Asia, now grown worldwide and used for its fivers,, which hemp rope is made, tall plant, moderate in THC
Cannabis indica: in India, grown for its psychoactive resins and is cultivated in many areas of world, short plant, high in THC
How are hashish and sinsemilla produced?
hashish is substance from resin
sinsemilla is method of growing more potent marijuana; dried flowering tops of plants with pistillate flowers
The male plants are removed from the field before the female plants can become pollinated and put their energy in seed production.
When and where was the earliest recorded medical use of cannabis?
in pharmacy book written in 2737 BC by Chinese emperor Shen Nung referring to euphoriant effects of cannabis, “Liberator of sin”.
What were the general conclusions of the 1944 LaGuardia Commission?
That in an effective does it does impair intellectual functioning in general, but it does not change the basic personality structure of the individual. It induces self-confidence, but more through thought, not performance. Possible diminution in physical activity. Those who had been smoking marijuana for a period of years showed no mental or physical deterioration due to marijuana.
These findings were not received well.
What is meant by “cannabinoid,” and about how many are there in Cannabis? What is the cannabinoid found in brain tissue?
Over 400 chemicals and about 60 are unique to cannabis.
Anandamide is a chemical isolated from brain tissue that has marijuana-like properties
How is the action of THC in the brain terminated after about 30 minutes, when the half-life of metabolism is much longer than that?
When smoked, THC is rapidly absorbed into the blood and first distributed to the brain, then redistributed to the rest of the boy, so that within 30 minutes much is gone from the brain.
What are the two most consistent physiological effects of smoking marijuana?
An increase in heart rate and reddening of the eyes and dryness of the mouth and throat.
What two medical uses have been approved by the FDA for dronabinol?
It helped cancer chemotherapy patients gain weight by reducing nausea and vomiting and it stimulated appetite in AIDS patients.
What evidence suggests that attitudes about the regulation of marijuana have changed?
- An increasing amount of scientific evidence shows that marijuana isn’t as toxic as was thought when it was banned in 1937
- Even when the economy tanked in 2007, billions of dollars were being spent yearly in an effort to stop illicit drug use. Many believe that this is not the most prudent use of public resources with such a limited budget.
- A growing number of Americans believe if recreational use was made legal, states could tax its cultivation, transportation, and sale in order to generate additional income
- The almost weekly media reports of the violence, especially in Mexico, related to the illicit drug trade. A popular view suggests that legalizing marijuana would take the profits out of the illic drug markets and decrease much of the violence
What are two reasons that a marijuana user might find synthetic cannabinoids appealing?
Many stimulate cannabinoid receptors in the brain and produce psychological effects similar to those of marijuana
Many synthetic cannabinoids are not detected by conventional urine drug tests
