Fact Sheet 731 MARIJUANA
WHAT IS
MARIJUANA?
Marijuana or Cannabis sativa is an herb. It grows in many
places around the world. It is also called hemp, reefer, or
cannabis. It has had many uses in different cultures. These
include reducing pain and increasing appetite. Marijuana contains
chemicals called cannabinoids. The best known is
tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. The marijuana "high" is mainly due
to THC.
Marijuana was used medically in the US until the late 1930s.
Then there were claims of "reefer madness." Supposedly, marijuana
caused crime, violence, insanity, and death. In 1970, US drug law
classified marijuana as having a high potential for abuse and no
medical use.
Marijuana was later found to have other health benefits. It
can lower pressure within the eye. This helps treat glaucoma, an
eye disease which can cause blindness. Marijuana also reduces
nausea and vomiting in patients taking chemotherapy treatment for
cancer. It reduces muscle spasms in people with nerve problems
like multiple sclerosis and can help treat some types of pain.
These uses led to the development of the drug dronabinol
(MarinolŪ), a synthetic version of THC.
NOTE: Federal and state laws generally forbid the sale or possession of
marijuana. Twelve states have passed "medical marijuana" laws that permit limited
use for health reasons. However, in May 2001 the US Supreme Court ruled that medical
use of marijuana is illegal under federal law. The Court ruled in 2005 that federal officials can take action
against medical marijuana users or "buyers' clubs" even in states with medical
marijuana laws. More information on state medical marijuana laws is available
at http://www.mpp.org/
WHY DO PEOPLE
WITH HIV USE MARIJUANA?
People with HIV use marijuana to stimulate appetite and to reduce
nausea.
Many people with HIV have low appetite. This can be due to
fatigue or drug side effects. Low appetite can lead to AIDS wasting (see fact sheet 519.) Marijuana
stimulates the appetite, preventing these problems.
Some people with HIV get nauseated when they take antiretroviral
medications (ARVs). This can make it difficult to take all scheduled
doses. Marijuana can help control the nausea.
It may also relieve the pain of peripheral neuropathy (see
fact sheet 555) and is
being studied for that purpose.
HOW IS
MARIJUANA USED?
Normally, dried marijuana leaves and flowers are smoked or baked
into food. Health care providers can legally prescribe MarinolŪ. Some
people get the same effects from MarinolŪ as from smoked
marijuana. Others prefer to smoke marijuana. They can use just
the amount they need without bad effects from higher doses.
WHAT ARE THE
SIDE EFFECTS?
Smoking marijuana can cause some of the same health problems
as smoking tobacco, including bronchitis. However, it has not
been clearly linked to lung cancer.
Smoked or eaten marijuana can disrupt balance, physical
coordination and visual perception. This can make it dangerous to
drive a car or operate machinery. Some people feel stoned (very
disoriented or dizzy) when using marijuana. This effect can be
stronger when marijuana is eaten than when it is smoked.
Some users develop a tolerance to marijuana. This means they need
higher and higher doses to get the same effect. Users can also
become dependent on marijuana. They may have mild withdrawal
symptoms when they stop using it.
HOW DOES IT
INTERACT WITH OTHER THERAPIES?
There are no known interactions between marijuana and
medications or other herbs. However, very few interactions
between herbs and medications have been studied. Tell your health care provider
if you are using any herbs or supplements.
A research study found that smoking marijuana does not increase
HIV viral load or reduce
CD4 cell counts.
HOW DO WE
KNOW IT WORKS?
Many scientific studies document marijuana's ability to reduce
nausea, increase appetite, and decrease pressure in the eye.
THE BOTTOM
LINE
Marijuana is an herb that is smoked or baked into food. It has
been used for health purposes for thousands of years. It was
legal in the United States until the 1930s. It stimulates the
appetite, reduces nausea and some types of pain, and reduces
pressure inside the eye.
US drug policy made marijuana illegal in 1970. However,
health care providers can prescribe MarinolŪ. It is a synthetic version of THC,
an active substance in marijuana. Not everyone gets the same
results from MarinolŪ as from marijuana.
Some people with AIDS use marijuana to stimulate their
appetites or to avoid nausea when taking their ARVs. A few states have passed medical marijuana laws that
permit limited use for health purposes.
For more information:
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