Commonly Abused Drugs
Review this page which describes the acute effects and the health risks of both legal and illegal drugs.
Commonly Abused Drugs
Marijuana (Cannabis)
Marijuana is made from the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. The
main psychoactive (mind-altering) chemical in marijuana is
delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.
| Street Names | Commercial Names | Common Forms | Common Ways Taken | DEA Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blunt, Bud, Dope, Ganja, Grass, Green, Herb, Joint, Mary Jane, Pot, Reefer, Sinsemilla, Skunk, Smoke, Trees, Weed; Hashish: Boom, Gangster, Hash, Hemp | Various brand names in states where the sale of marijuana is legal | Greenish-gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and/or flowers; resin (hashish) or sticky, black liquid (hash oil) | Smoked, eaten (mixed in food or brewed as tea) | I |
| Possible Health Effects | |
|---|---|
| Short-term | Enhanced sensory perception and euphoria followed by drowsiness/relaxation; slowed reaction time; problems with balance and coordination; increased heart rate and appetite; problems with learning and memory; hallucinations; anxiety; panic attacks; psychosis. |
| Long-term | Mental health problems; chronic cough; frequent respiratory infections. |
| Other Health-related Issues |
Youth: possible loss of IQ points when repeated use begins in adolescence. Pregnancy: babies born with problems with attention, memory, and problem solving. |
| In Combination with Alcohol | Increased heart rate, blood pressure; further slowing of mental processing and reaction time. |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Irritability, trouble sleeping, decreased appetite, anxiety. |
| Treatment options | |
| Medications | There are no FDA-approved medications to treat marijuana addiction. |
| Behavioral Therapies |
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