Commonly Abused Drugs
Commonly Abused Drugs
Marijuana (Cannabis)
Marijuana is made from the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. The
main psychoactive (mind-altering) chemical in marijuana is
delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.
| Street Names | Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blunt, Bud, Dope, Ganja, Grass, Green, Herb, Joint, Mary Jane, Pot, Reefer, Sinsemilla, Skunk, Smoke, Trees, Weed; Hashish: Boom, Gangster, Hash, Hemp | Various brand names in states where the sale of marijuana is legal | Greenish-gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and/or flowers; resin (hashish) or sticky, black liquid (hash oil) | Smoked, eaten (mixed in food or brewed as tea) | I |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Enhanced sensory perception and euphoria followed by drowsiness/relaxation; slowed reaction time; problems with balance and coordination; increased heart rate and appetite; problems with learning and memory; hallucinations; anxiety; panic attacks; psychosis. |
| Long-term | Mental health problems; chronic cough; frequent respiratory infections. |
| Other Health-related Issues |
Youth: possible loss of IQ points when repeated use begins in adolescence. Pregnancy: babies born with problems with attention, memory, and problem solving. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Increased heart rate, blood pressure; further slowing of mental processing and reaction time. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Irritability, trouble sleeping, decreased appetite, anxiety. |
| Treatment options | |
| Medications | There are no FDA-approved medications to treat marijuana addiction. |
| Behavioral Therapies |
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