Marijuana Metabolites

Marijuana is the common name for a crude drug made from the plant Cannabis Sativa.  It is often called grass, pot, or weed.  The main mind-altering ingredient in marijuana is THC, but more than 400 other chemicals are also in the plant.  Marijuana "joint" is made from dried plant particles.  The amount of THC determines how strong the effect will be.   Hashish, or hash, is made from parts of the marijuana plant and is usually stronger than marijuana and may contain much higher THC levels.

Some immediate physical effects of marijuana include a faster heartbeat and pulse rate, blood shot eyes, and a dry mouth and throat.  No scientific evidence indicates that marijuana improves hearing, eyesight, and skin sensitivity.  Studies have found marijuana to impair or reduce short-term memory, alter sense of time, and reduce ability to do things that require concentration, swift reactions, and coordination (e.g. driving a car) for at least 4-6 hours after smoking a single marijuana cigarette. 

Studies have indicated that marijuana abusers’ risk for heart attack more than quadruples in the first hour after smoking marijuana.  Some research studies suggest that marijuana use may result in premature babies, low birth weights, and influence hormone levels in both men and women, and effecting menstrual cycles and temporary loss of fertility for women. 

Scientists believe that marijuana can be especially harmful to the lungs because users often inhale the unfiltered smoke deeply and hold it in their lungs as long as possible.  Marijuana smoke contains some of the same ingredients known to cause emphysema and cancer.