What Is Marijuana?

Marijuana or cannabis is a soft drug which has been used by humans since thousands of years. It is endemic to south and central Asia and evidences of its use by Aryans, Assyrians, and Hindus of Asia are aplenty. The UN estimates that around 4% of world population use cannabis annually and about 23 million of these smoke or use cannabis daily. In fact this is probably the most used illicit drug in the world.

Marijuana is produced from a plant called cannabis sativa or cannabis indica. This plant also goes by the name Indian hemp. Marijuana is the name given to those parts of this plant which is smoked. The inflorescence of the cannabis plant is usually smoked as it has the highest concentration of intoxicants. The resin which is produced from the flowers of this plant is called hashish or simply hash.

The main chemical agent in marijuana is a compound called tetra hydro cannabinol. However marijuana smoke contains over 400 different chemical including 66 other related cannabinoids.

The cannabinoids act on the central nervous system through two receptors named CB1 and CB2. These receptors are located throughout the central nervous system and their action activates the mediocorticolimbic pathways in the brain which is the drug reward centre. The major effects of cannabis include euphoria, disinhibition, altered sensory perceptions, increased heart rate, dilatation of pupils, red eyes, dry mouth, and anxiety. The minimum required dose for effects to begin is 10 micrograms per kg body weight.

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