Marijuana Rehab

It’s portrayed as harmless in movies and on TV shows while musicians extol its “virtues” and admit to being regular users, despite the fact that marijuana is still an illegal substance. There are regular cries to make it legal, with the drug even viewed as a revenue source in some cash-strapped states. Amid all the hype, it can be easy to forget that marijuana is an addictive, mind-altering substance.

What Is Marijuana?

A product of the hemp plant, Cannabis Sativa, marijuana contains THC, the main active chemical in the drug, although there are up approximately 400 chemicals found in the cannabis plant altogether. On the street it goes by the nicknames, pot, grass, weed, reefer, mary jane, ganja, chronic and others. Whatever you call it, the uses and effects are the same.

The gray-green dried leaves of the hemp plant are shredded and then usually smoked as a hand-rolled cigarette called a joint or in a pipe or bong. It can also be mixed with other drugs, including crack. It can also be mixed into foods (pot brownies are a favorite way to distribute the drug) or brewed into a tea.

The Effects of Marijuana

Once inhaled or ingested, the THC in the marijuana changes the way sensory information gets into and is acted on by the hippocampus. This crucial part of the brain’s limbic system is crucial for learning, memory and sensory experiences. The TCH suppresses neurons that process information and certain learned behaviors also deteriorate. Other short-term effects include dry mouth, memory problems, trouble problem-solving, perception issues, los of coordination, increased heart rate and anxiety. Marijuana can cause impairment similar to that of alcohol, meaning driving is dangerous.

At the same time, those who smoke marijuana regularly can have respiratory problems similar to that of cigarette smokers, including chronic bronchitis, a persistent cough and frequent chest colds. Long-term use can injure or destroy lung tissue. Marijuana smoke contains the same cancer-causing compounds as tobacco, but the health risks may be higher due to the prolonged inhaling done by many pot users.

The “Legalize Pot” Debate

Three states -- Minnesota, New Hampshire and Rhode Island -- have made strides in recent weeks toward legalizing medical marijuana, according to CBSNews.com. Meanwhile, cash-strapped California is taking it a step further, with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger making the controversial statement that it's time to look at legalizing marijuana for recreational use. (Medical marijuana has been legal in California since 1996.)

Quick to capitalize on that media exposure, the Marijuana Policy Project funded a 30-second TV spot that aired on several cable news channels and network affiliates in the summer of 2009. Proponents of legal pot are quick to point out that legalization could be an outside-the-box solution to the state’s financial woes, with some groups suggesting it could raise more than $1.2 billion a year in new tax revenues. Other politicians are taking a more active role. In February, California State legislator Tom Ammiano (D) went so far as to introduce a bill to legalize recreational marijuana. Bill AB 390 would license "commercial cultivators of marijuana" and establish a complicated web of regulations and tax rules they and retailers must follow.

It’s a popular stance, according to one recent poll that showed 56 percent of California’s registered voters support legalizing marijuana and taxing its proceeds. There are no statistics, though, on whether addiction rates would skyrocket and the future cost of treating those addictions brought on by more readily available – and legal – marijuana.

Marijuana Use On the Rise

According to Bureau of Justice statistics, 42.6 percent of high school seniors in 2008 reported having used marijuana or hashish at some point while only 7.2 percent reported having used cocaine and 1.3 percent used heroin. Of those surveyed in 2008, 19 percent admitted using marijuana in the past month, compared to only 12 percent back in 1992. During that same period, use among tenth graders rose from 8 to 14 percent and eighth grade pot use jumped from 4 to 6 percent.

Are You Addicted?

Maybe you’re not sure you need medical help. How can you tell if you, a friend or a loved one is in need of treatment for an addiction? Try answering these simple questions:

·         Are you using a chemical substance to escape today?

·         Have you tried to stop and can’t?

·         Are you practicing this behavior more than you did a few weeks or even a few days ago?

(For more on identifying an addiction and signs to watch for, go to www.helpguide.org)

Help for Marijuana Addiction
Once a problem has been identified, it’s time to get help. If you think you or someone you know is in need of marijuana rehab, contact us at the toll-free number on our homepage. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day.