Summary
Marijuana is an intoxicating drug, affecting conscious and unconscious mental processing and all of the senses. The drug is a mixture of dried, shredded leaves, mature flowers, buds, stems, and seeds from the Cannabis sativa plant, which contains more than 60 chemically related compounds called cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are responsible for the psychoactive properties associated with marijuana as well as the many biological properties that have captured the interest of medical professionals, such as pain relief and relief for nausea and vomiting. However, due to its illegality in most states and possibility for abuse, the medical use of marijuana is a controversial topic. Marijuana use can sometimes lead to addiction, prompting scientists to question whether it also encourages users to abuse other drugs. This informative and up-to-date resource provides readers with an understanding of the history of marijuana, its uses and effects, and the growing debate about whether it should be made legal for use.
About the Author(s)
Christine Adamec is the coauthor of The Encyclopedia of Drug Abuse (Infobase Publishing, 2022) and The Encyclopedia of Addictions and Addictive Behaviors (in press for 2022), and she is also the author of books and articles on opioids, stimulants, and depressants. Her co-authored book, The Grandfamily Guidebook (Hazelden, 2018) discusses the national problem of young and middle-aged parents abusing drugs and alcohol to the extent that grandparents must take over the rearing of the children.