Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug (20 million past-month users) according to the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). That year, marijuana was used by 77 percent of current illicit drug users.

The average age of first use was 17 years.

81% of OU students reported using at least once in the last 30 days (2019) Healthy Campus Survey)
92% use for recreational purposes
8% use for medical reasons 1.29% report having a medical card from the State of Ohio.

Marijuana Users

In Recovery No use Low Mod High

OU 3.7% 41.5% 18% 19.1% 17.6%

National 3.7 65.5% 11% 11.1% 8.6%

ScreenU Marijuana Data

Marijuana

Marijuana consists of the dried and crushed leaves, flowers, stems and seeds of the Cannabis Sativa plant
THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinal) is the primary mind-altering ingredient in marijuana

Derivatives of the Cannabis Plant

Hashish

Average concentration of THC is 15% to 20%

Ganja

Consists of the dried tops of female plants

9% to 23%

Sinsemilla

Average concentration of THC is 14%

Bhang

Average concentration of THC is 7% to 8%

Street Names

General Street Names

Pot, weed, reefer, ganja, maryjane, ceeba, doobage. cannabis, bud, herb, green, buddga, shivah

Street Names for Higher TCH

Chronic, dank, nuggets, kind bud, superskunk, funk

Street Names for Mid-to-Lower THC

Swag (pronounced shwag), commercial (merch), dirt weed, middies, headies, tendies, brown frown, brick weed, mex/mexi

Behavioral Effects

Low to moderate doses produce euphoria and a pleasant state of relaxation

Common effects: dry mouth, elevated heartbeat, some loss of coordination and balance, slower reaction times, reddening of the eyes, elevated blood pressure, impaired memory

A typical “High” lasts from 2-3 hours and a users experiences altered perception of space and time

Behavioral Effects

An acute dose of cannabis can produce adverse reactions: mild anxiety to panic and paranoia

A few rare cases exhibit psychoses, delusional and bizarre behavior, and hallucinations. These reactions occur most frequently in individuals who are under stress, anxious, depressed or borderline schizophrenic

Short Term Effects

Increased heart rate and blood pressure by 20-100%
Reddening of the eyes
Dry mouth
Laryngitis/Bronchitis
Asthma-like conditions
Problems with memory and learning
Distorted perceptions
Cough/dry throat/hoarseness
Trouble with critical thinking and problem solving
Loss of coordination

Long Term Effects

Dependence

Damage to immune system

from smoking

Dependence

Physical – exhibit withdrawal symptoms

Psychological – attachment to euphoric effects

Tolerance - increasingly higher doses of marijuana must be given to obtain the same intensity of initial effects
Withdrawal – irritability, restlessness, decreased appetite, weight loss

Amotivational syndrome

This characterizes regular users of marijuana who experience a lack of motivation and reduced productivity

Specifically, users show apathy, poor short-term memory, difficulty in concentration and a lingering disinterest in pursuing goals

Critical Thinking Skills

Marijuana Has been found to have a negative impact on critical thinking skills
Impairment can affect: attention, memory, learning
The unresolved question is whether these impairments are short or long term

Sexual Functioning

Women

Reduces level of hormone necessary for fertilized egg to implant into uterus

Low birth weight babies

Reduces mother’s milk

Reduces levels of testosterone and sperm count

Marijuana as Medicine

28 states have laws allowing use
92% are using for chronic pain
Who is using:
18-24 18%
25-34 27%
35-44 21%
45-54 20%
55 + 12%

Data from the state of CA

Medicinal Marijuana

Marinol- indicated for treatment of nausea and vomiting in cancer patients

AIDS patients with wasting syndrome

Anorexia Muscle relaxation Analgesic

The Ohio law prohibits smoking or growing marijuana at home but allows cannabis oils, tinctures, patches, edibles and plant material to be used and sold in state-licensed dispensaries.
medicalmarijuana.ohio.gov

Ohio Medicinal Marijuana

People with the following medical conditions will be able to use medical marijuana under the law: HIV/AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease, cancer, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), Crohn's disease, epilepsy or another seizure disorder, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, hepatitis C, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, pain that is either chronic and severe or intractable, Parkinson's disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, sickle cell anemia, spinal cord disease or injury, Tourette's syndrome, traumatic brain injury and ulcerative colitis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSa-zZfQRLc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz0toWa-pGA

Marijuana Legalization

Nov. 5, 1996 - California Becomes First State to Legalize Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana activist Chris Conrad and his wife Mikki Norris advocated for the passage of Prop. 215

"Voters in California pass a state medical marijuana initiative in 1996. Known as Proposition 215 , it permits patients and their primary caregivers, with a physician' s recommendation, to possess and cultivate marijuana for the treatment of AIDS, cancer, muscular spasticity, migraines, and several other disorders; it protects physicians from recommending.

Medical Marijuana

CBD is one of at least 85 active cannabinoids. CBD is considered to have a wider scope of medical applications than THC.

Marijuana and Treatment

According to the CDCP nearly 100,000 people per year seek treatment for marijuana dependence.

The Ohio Department of Transportation reported last year there were 4,165 crashes on Ohio highways caused by drugged drivers. That was a 21 percent increase since 2013.

One third of the drugged drivers arrested last year were for driving high on marijuana, and the numbers of all drugged drivers continue to climb.

The Law in Ohio…….

Up to 100 grams (or up to five grams hashish). Ohio has decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana. Violations are considered minor misdemeanors, which incur a $150 fine but no jail time, and do not become part of the defendant’s criminal record.

Between 100 and 200 grams (or five and ten grams hashish). Penalties include a fine of up to $250, up to 30 days in jail, or both. License suspended 6 months to 5 years.

Between 200 and 1,000 grams (or ten and 50 grams hashish). Penalties include a fine of up to $2,500, up to one year in jail, or both.

Between 1,000 and 20,000 grams (or 50 and 1,000 grams hashish). Penalties include a fine of between $5,000 and $10,000, between one and five years in prison, or both.

Between 20,000 and 40,000 grams (or 1,000 and 2,000 grams hashish). Penalties include a fine of between $7,500 and $15,000, between five and eight years in prison, or both.

40,000 grams or more (or 2,000 grams hashish). Penalties include a fine of between $10,000 and $20,000, at least eight years in prison, or both.

Athens TACO

The Athens Cannabis Ordinance

TACO is not legalization or even decriminalization: marijuana remains illegal. A better term is de-penalization, or removing penalties. It changes fines to $0 for misdemeanors. ... The stated purpose of TACO is not to reduce fines but rather to redirect law-enforcement resources toward more serious and violent crimes.

OU Judicial Policy

Manufacture, Distribution, Sale, Offer for Sale, Possession or Misuse of Drugs or Narcotics - Conduct covered by this offense includes but is not limited to:
a. manufacture, distribution, sale, offer for sale, possession, or use of any illegal drug or narcotic, including but not limited to barbiturates, hallucinogens, amphetamines, cocaine, opium, heroin or marijuana except as defined by offense
b. misuse or abuse of legal drugs or narcotics;
c. possession of a device (drug paraphernalia) that has been used to ingest an illegal drug or narcotic, other than marijuana as defined in offense= $200.00 fine.

How do you know if you have a problem?

Has pot smoking stopped being fun?
Do you ever get high alone?
Is it hard for you to imagine your life without marijuana?
Do you find that your friends are determined by your marijuana use?
Do you smoke marijuana to avoid dealing with your problems?
Do you smoke pot to cope with your emotions?
Does your marijuana use let you live in a privately defined world?
Have you ever failed to keep promises you made about cutting down or controlling your use?
Has your use of marijuana caused problems with memory, concentration or motivation?
When your stash is nearly empty, do you feel anxious or worried about getting more?
Do you plan your life around marijuana use?
Have your friends or relatives ever complained about your smoking and how it affects your relationships with them?

Health Assessment

No to all questions

Yes to three of the questions

Yes to six or more of the questions