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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Dangers of weed
Belfast Telegraph
Wednesday 19 May 2004 THE proposed date for the legislative change of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 came into effect on January 29, 2004. In addition to reclassification, the maximum penalty for trafficking has been raised from five to 14 years imprisonment and the police have powers of arrest for individuals found in possession of cannabis. Marijuana - often called pot, grass, reefer, weed, herb, Mary Jane, or MJ - is a greenish-gray mixture of the dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of Cannabis Sativa, the hemp plant. The major active chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which causes the mind-altering effects of marijuana intoxication. Cannabis takes about 2 hours to peak and wane. It is metabolised in the liver Can take days or weeks to excrete. Has an affinity with brain lipids. One single dose may remain in the body for 30 days. What are the effects of marijuana use? Marijuana's effects begin immediately after the drug enters the brain and last from one to three hours. If marijuana is consumed in food or drink, the short-term effects begin more slowly, usually in half to one hour hour, and last longer, for as long as 4 hours. Smoking marijuana deposits several times more THC into the blood than does eating or drinking the drug. Within a few minutes after inhaling marijuana smoke, an individual's heart begins beating more rapidly, the bronchial passages relax and become enlarged, and blood vessels in the eyes expand, making the eyes look red. The heart rate, normally 70 to 80 beats per minute, may increase by 20 to 50 beats per minute or, in some cases, even double. This effect can be greater if other drugs are taken with marijuana. As THC enters the brain, it causes a user to feel euphoric or "high" by acting in the brain's reward system, areas of the brain that respond to stimuli such as food and drink as well as most drugs of abuse. THC activates the reward system in the same way that nearly all drugs of abuse do, by stimulating brain cells to release the chemical dopamine. Marijuana use impairs a person's ability to form memories, recall events and shift attention from one thing to another. THC also disrupts coordination and balance by binding to receptors in the cerebellum and basal ganglia, parts of the brain that regulate balance, posture, coordination of movement and reaction time. Through its effects on the brain and body, marijuana intoxication can cause accidents. Studies show that approximately six to 11 per cent of fatal accident victims test positive for THC. How does marijuana affect driving? Marijuana has serious harmful effects on the skills required to drive safely: alertness, the ability to concentrate, coordination, and the ability to react quickly. Marijuana use can make it difficult to judge distances and react to signals and sounds on the road. What does marijuana do to the brain? Some studies show that when people have smoked large amounts of marijuana for years, the drug takes its toll on mental functions. Heavy or daily use of marijuana affects the parts of the brain that control memory, attention and learning. Can people become addicted to marijuana? Long-term marijuana use can lead to addiction in some people. That is, they cannot control their urges to seek out and use marijuana, even though it negatively affects their family relationships, school performance and recreational activities. According to one study, marijuana use by teenagers who have prior antisocial problems can quickly lead to addiction. In addition, some frequent, heavy marijuana users develop "tolerance" to its effects. If you need any advice on cannabis or any drug your can talk to us in confidence at 02871369696
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